Tetsuo & Youth
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80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 278 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fifth studio release for the rapper features guest appearances from Ab-Soul and Nikki Jean.
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Top Track

Mural
Raw chemicals, vitamins and minerals Vicodin with inner tubes, wrapped around the arm To see the vein like a chicken on the barn Top Cat chat, let's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. RapReviews.com
    Jan 21, 2015
    100
    Lupe Fiasco doesn't present tracks that are just a hot beat and some memorable bars--he's aiming for cinematic moments and drawing you into the atmosphere he seeks to create.
  2. HipHopDX
    Jan 21, 2015
    90
    Outside of the disappointing “They.Resurrect.Over.New” (featuring Ab-Soul)--which connects conceptually, but sounds less dope doing so--Tetsuo & Youth glistens with maturity and imagination.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Jan 21, 2015
    83
    The Chicago rapper is at his very best when he avoids spoon-feeding all-knowing insights on the human condition. He rediscovers his own voice when he stops trying to be the forced voice of a movement.
  4. Complex
    Jan 21, 2015
    80
    This record is beautifully crafted, with robust lyrics over expertly crafted beats. You will not find any throwaway tracks on here.
  5. Consequence
    Jan 28, 2015
    75
    Lupe is still a guy to root for, and Tetsuo & Youth is full of daring songs that remind you of why.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jan 22, 2015
    72
    It's a tricky muse, but every Lupe project has found a way to harness at least 15 or 20 minutes of his fluid, fleeting mind. Tetsuo & Youth is the most generous gulp he's managed in years.
  7. Pretty Much Amazing
    Feb 10, 2015
    58
    The density of Tetsuo & Youth just could have benefitted from even the slightest dose of levity to throw its rhetoric and messages into sharper relief.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. bopppet
    Jan 21, 2015
    10
    A Musical movie, that almost never misses a beat. An intellectually, and emotionally engaging album for all hour and half it goes through.A Musical movie, that almost never misses a beat. An intellectually, and emotionally engaging album for all hour and half it goes through. Lupe Fiasco doesn't hold back - this almost crosses over from Hip Hop to verbal art at certain moments.… Expand
  2. SPQR
    Jan 23, 2015
    10
    Tetsuo & Youth is not just a hip-hop album. Its a Masterpiece, a classic, that proves the amazing skill of Lupe Fiasco. One of the bestTetsuo & Youth is not just a hip-hop album. Its a Masterpiece, a classic, that proves the amazing skill of Lupe Fiasco. One of the best project in the history of hip-hop.… Expand
  4. Jellodono
    Apr 22, 2015
    10
    Quite possibly the best rap album of the year. Although some of the hooks aren't top notch, everything else is ten out of ten. I'm veryQuite possibly the best rap album of the year. Although some of the hooks aren't top notch, everything else is ten out of ten. I'm very excited his future albums, "The Cool 2" and "Skulls".… Expand
  5. kingq22
    Jan 21, 2015
    10
    As far as Lupe albums go this may be his all around best work , he has disregarded the desires of his major label and pressed on to releaseAs far as Lupe albums go this may be his all around best work , he has disregarded the desires of his major label and pressed on to release what is potentially his best album yet. The concept of this album reassures listeners that he has never lost his way and also reinforces the concepts of doing more than being a typical artist. Some of the best tracks are "Mural" a 9 minute track of straight lyricism and in depth wordplay, "Blur My Hands" which describes placing a positive turn on flipping the bird and hating others, "Adoration of Magi" a song about materialism and living the fast life, and also the lead single "Deliver". This album is DEEP and my take a few listens to understand all the concepts but nevertheless is close to a classic like Food and Liquor and also The Cool...this actually may even be better.… Expand
  6. TalentlessHack
    Jan 6, 2016
    9
    Almost a year after this album dropped and I still feel the same way about it.
    Let us be short, Tetsuo & Youth is not only a fantastic    Almost a year after this album dropped and I still feel the same way about it.
    Let us be short, Tetsuo & Youth is not only a fantastic comeback album, it's a freaking behemoth.

    Lupe is on his lyrical best since The Cool, heck he might be at lyrical and creative peak on here. The production doesn't fail to impress either. Lush, varied and dynamic thanks to the season concept.

    The album begins with a short instrumental "Spring" Following up is the eight minute long hot fire spittery that is "Mural" and the playful "Blur My Hands" ft. Guy Sebastian that emits great vibes.

    The album gets progressively darker and harder the further it progresses. Topics get more serious in "Prisoner 1 & 2" and "Body of Work" and Lupe's rapping gets more intenser and engaging.

    "Winter" is when the album removes all the breaks. With "Chopper" you get an almost ten minute long, 32 bars, 7 savage rappers spit fest. "Madonna" is the album's emotional peak and "T.R.O.N." closes the album off with splendour.

    Tetsuo & Youth is a behemoth.
    Period.

    Fav Tracks: Mural, Blur My Hands, Chopper, T.R.O.N., Deliver, Madonna
    Least Fav Tracks: None    … Expand
  7. zargor221
    Jan 24, 2015
    9
    This album is fantastic. Everything about it is great, Lupe Fiasco is a great rapper. If you haven't listened to it yet, you should. There isThis album is fantastic. Everything about it is great, Lupe Fiasco is a great rapper. If you haven't listened to it yet, you should. There is really no reason not to.… Expand
  8. sextoymagic
    Jan 31, 2015
    5
    It had great raps. It had many boring songs. The flow from track to track was awful. I was disappointed overall. His best ablums were theIt had great raps. It had many boring songs. The flow from track to track was awful. I was disappointed overall. His best ablums were the first two and nothing since has compared.… Expand

See all 38 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2015
75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2015

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