The Cool
by Lupe Fiasco
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 270 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 247 out of 270
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 270
  3. Negative: 20 out of 270

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  1. TravisB
    Jan 15, 2008
    10
    A fantastic record....full of pleasant surprises. It even makes a verse from Snoop sound fresh. "Dumb It Down" manages to sum up a lot of Talib Kweli's tracks in one fell swoop, which is no small feat.
  2. BrandonB.
    Jan 24, 2008
    10
    The hottest and most complete album out!
  3. Jasonk.
    Feb 10, 2008
    10
    Perhaps my favorite album of all time. This is hip hop at its best! Thank you lupe!
  4. rileyj
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    ordered my copy yesterday, this is an amazin album...one of the top 3 of '07 for sure
  5. DanA
    Dec 20, 2007
    10
    Amazing, takes hip hop away from the beat-centered rut it has found itself in, focusing on the lyrics and the winding, graphi novel-quality storyline that Lupe has managed to fit into 2 hour-long albums. Really gritty, Ghostface Killah-esque story, that only benefits from Lupe's chill, calm delivery and tracks.
  6. denemy
    Dec 24, 2007
    10
    How this album gets less than 10 is astounding. Hip-hop should follow in Fiasco's footsteps, and step outside the norm.
  7. CaitlinD
    Jan 11, 2008
    10
    I Love Him! SOOO Good! ?
  8. jackW
    Jan 20, 2008
    10
    This album is simply incredible... Easily the best hip hop album this year. I know all of lupe's stuff will become classic someday!
  9. Josh
    Jan 4, 2008
    10
    Excellent album, not a single track that had Jaco on it that I do not enjoy. One of the best I've ever heard, a classic. When will the "respected critics" list of reviews be updated...? This album deserves higher than an 80. the rolling stone gave it a 4/5 and some reputable rap website you cited on a jay-z album gave it a 5/5... give the cool its due!
  10. MusicL
    Jan 5, 2008
    10
    An amazing album! No doubt this will be a classic in a few years. It's just one of those albums that can stand the test of time.
  11. AndrewH
    Jan 8, 2008
    10
    This is the best hip-hop album of the year, Lupe Fiasco is miles ahead of the game and way ahead of his time
  12. ConnorS.
    Jan 8, 2008
    10
    Best album of the year, hands down!
  13. ryanw
    Jan 9, 2008
    10
    this is a great album... with deep lyrics tackling many of our world's current problems, incredible production and catchy beats, and Lupe's flow is incredible.
  14. TomK.
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    An absolute masterpiece.
  15. RashadS.
    Feb 25, 2008
    10
    Let me start off by giving you my taste in music. I loved jay-z's "American Gangsta" and Scarface's "Made" and this by far blows both away!
  16. Mitchelll
    Feb 6, 2008
    10
    This album is simply incredible, just listen to it and you'll agree with me!
  17. ConnorS.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    Best album of the year, hands down!
  18. Black1
    Feb 9, 2008
    10
    The album is very good. When I first listened to it (through samples), I thought it was weak. Then my brother bought the album, and it's an instant classic. Tracks like "Streets on Fire", "Little Weapon" & "Gotta Eat" (all in order) really make it an exciting CD to listen to. Perfect.
  19. CodruS.
    May 5, 2008
    10
    of course you don't like him... stupid monkeys. try to think beyond his muslim origins. he has more talent then all the bitches out there but you don't like him because he is too god, you don't understand what he's saying, you don't like him because he isn't singing bout how he got rich killing this, stealing that... bout hookers that all love him and stuff of course you don't like him... stupid monkeys. try to think beyond his muslim origins. he has more talent then all the bitches out there but you don't like him because he is too god, you don't understand what he's saying, you don't like him because he isn't singing bout how he got rich killing this, stealing that... bout hookers that all love him and stuff he's a decent guy with TALENT. i betcha half of you didn't even REALLY heard this album.… Expand
  20. AC
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    A great 2nd album by the best rapper on the planet. "The Cool" is every bit as good as his first album "Food & Liquor". This is truly a must buy for any true music fan.
  21. DK4L
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    Its so nasty. i believe best album this year. The cool equals our modern day illmatic and other classics
  22. D.A.H
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    Hands down one of the best albums of the year."The Cool" is a good look for Hip-Hop. Listening to it right now. Can't get enough of it. Real Hip-Hop. Can't wait for 'L-U-P-END' to drop
  23. brettm
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    best hip hop cd of the year, the best lyricist to come in the game since nas!
  24. AmirE
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    Compared to everything else comming out it's 15 stars damn it....c'mon too magazine reviews claiming that it's too complex maybe you've just been listening to too much mediocre rap..aka all the Dj Khaled features...
  25. TonyJ
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    Best album i've heard all year... Lupe is a frickin genuis
  26. GHudson
    Dec 20, 2007
    10
    Album of the year hands down. instant classic. very complex lyrics that with fly over a vast majority of listeners. Lupe is a genious. mos def better than food and liquor but they go hand and hand with each other because you really can't grasp the cool without truly listening to food and liquor first
  27. Hannah
    Dec 20, 2007
    10
    This album is incredible. There's pretty much no track I'm not into. The lyrics are smarter than anything I've heard this year.
  28. EddCosta
    Dec 27, 2007
    10
    The best Hip-Hop album of the year, Lupe brings the Chicago flow with amazing beats and lyrics.
  29. TORYM
    Dec 20, 2007
    10
    No sophmore slump. Fantastic. From lyrics to beats.
  30. TinP.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    Easily the best album of 07. Every track is a new experience to behold.
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2007
33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Even considering the over-abundance of elaboration on all fronts, it's a credit to Lupe that he has made an album that cannot be processed after one or two listens, and if you have the time, its inscrutability turns into mere complexity.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It turns out randomness makes for a surprisingly unifying concept.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    90
    Lupe Fiasco and his producers--mostly Soundtrakk--have clarified the lyrics and brought out the hooks. The result is a three-act allegory that’s also one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.
    Read full review
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