Eric Eaton ‘11
When an artist brings his or her A game, nothing can stop them. Lupe Fiasco brought that on "Words I Never Said". It is hip-hop activism, but Fiasco is skilled at making heady subjects be absorbed with ease. Lupe is fast and slick, offering shots at the political left and right with equal conviction. Lasers, Fiasco’s third album, shows a lot of rage but seems to be preaching at times.
Tracks such as "Break the Chain" and "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now" feel like filler, contributing little of the Chicago
Fiasco hasn't been afraid to talk about the label drama behind the making of Lasers, both to the press and on the album. "Have you ever had the feeling that you was being had?" Fiasco asks on "The Show Goes On", one of a select few songs not featuring any guest artists. The song may sound a little sad but it’s a celebration. Lupe is breaking free from the “chains” that were placed on his soul.
Thankfully, the shackle-less Fiasco manages to appear multiple times on Lasers, the rock-infused attack on radio stations playing the same song in "State Run Radio", the heartbreak of "Beautiful Lasers" and the alternate-reality “All Black Everything”. These are among the moments that illustrate Fiasco has a bigger agenda than a No. 1 hit.
