1. dijavantewow

   10

   Fantastic album. One of the best of the decade for hip hop. I'm not sure Lupe is appreciated enough for what he brings to the table, but this album is great song to song. "Kick Push", "I Gotcha", and especially "Hurt Me Soul" are my favorites, and show is lyrical abilities.… Expand

   • Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.
2. rollingstone82

   8

   Don't let his name mislead you.
   
   Hip Hop was not at a good place in that year (and its status has progressively gotten worse with a few sparks here and there). Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead was an alright effort but ultimately lacking. Jay-Z's so-called comeback didn't make impact. Kanye didn't release a single album that year. Eminem was in relapse. There wasn't anything of interest from the South, the dominant side of hip hop in terms of mainstream. Luda's album was bizarre, T.I.'s was a drag, even OutKast's long-awaited soundtrack was mediocre at best.
   
   So is there even a "best rap album" of 2006? Thankfully, we have a winner.
   
   Food and Liquor is one of the most pleasurable listens in a while dominated by one of the most refreshing voices in a VERY long time. No thug talk. No cocaine stories. No half-baked, misogynistic, and clumsy songs about **** and butts. Finally, we have someone who has a clear mind and vision on what he is to accomplish. This album is actually an implied threat to hardcore and gangsta rap. Instead, Lupe is somewhat of a geeky type of rapper. If others talk about coke, Lupe talks about robots. Others ride fancy cars, Lupe talks about skateboards. But yet it is far beyond material possessions.
   
   Kick, Push is a song about a young skateboarder who "kicks and pushes" on despite rejection. This isn't really a song about boards but rather a song about the lack of acceptance because of one's identity. The message is not struggle or happiness but rather hope in times of hostility.
   
   Another notable track, Hurt Me Soul, is Lupe's tirade on the sad side of life. Essentially it is a compilation of different views, from a prostitute to a slave. Lupe instead of ranting on the whores like a rapper would usually do, he sympathizes with their position even showing dislike towards hip hop for its degradation of women.
   
   Other tracks to note are The Cool and The Instrumental, two inventive storytelling raps. The background, though, gets a bit weird and corny. American Terrorist features a strange mix between orchestra and Arabian, which really don't fit for these songs. Pressure is also a pointless track that features a Lay-Z Jay-Z verse.
   
   Nonetheless, the album is so much better than the albums that did come out. But it isn't the best of the year. That would be Hell Hath No Fury by Clipse.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
3. OllieH

   7

   Better than most mainstream hip-hop, but it's by no means perfect, and there are much more skillful and innovative artists out there.

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. j-ol

   3

   he's not rapping to his potential, and the beats are styrofoam nu-soul garbage. it could've been a good album, had it been produced by someone with vision. linkin park fans should keep their opinions to themselves.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 5 users said Yes.

See all 76 User Reviews