Album Review: Samurai by Lupe Fiasco

On his latest eight-track album, Samurai, Lupe Fiasco turns introspective, detailing key moments in his career, beginning with the honing battle rap talents and various moments.

Courtesy of 1st and 15th.

Lupe Fiasco has been recording for 20 years and still has a lot on his mind. So far, concepts have wrapped the Chicago rapper’s thoughts into loose packages: Portions of his sophomore album, 2007’s The Cool, pitted a zombie drug dealer against the personification of The Streets and The Game to flesh out ideas about materialism (“Gold Watch”) and the music industry (“Superstar”). Fast forward to 2018, DROGAS Wave sees a group of African slaves thrown off the side of a slave ship survive and then work to sink other slave ships from the depths of the ocean.

However, as 2011’s Lasers and the mixtape Friend of the People proved, Lupe Fiasco gradually shifted toward an academic rather than musical persona. He began to lose commercial appeal by moving away from the complex yet accessible lyricism that defined his earlier work. This was the result of constant battles with his record label, the ongoing violence in Chicago, and the compromises he felt as an artist. Beginning with 2012’s Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, his projects became more sanctimonious and ponderously ambitious, often falling short in execution with uninspired production. As a result, Lupe’s music began to feel more like obligatory lessons than engaging art.

On 2022’s Drill Music in Zion, Lupe reveals a new, intelligent discipline that matches his best qualities. With reflective lyrics, knotty rhymes, atmospheric jazz elements, and overly ambitious themes not fully executed, Lupe takes a more discreet, episodic approach focusing on what he’s good at. Two years later, we got Samurai. “This album is one of my more personal records to date. It's not a full biography, but my personal experiences are tied up in all of my music,” Lupe stated in the press release. “The album weaves things from my life as an artist, touching on things other artists go through.”

On the self-titled title track of his latest LP, Lupe balances lyricism and storytelling against a high-quality Soundtrakk beat reminiscent of his best works full of artistic and cultural references. Fiasco’s use of repetition and tightly constructed rhyme schemes allows for a rhythmic flow that is cadenced yet engaging for the listener. Underlying the lyrics are complex metaphors and keen observations on social issues, indicating a depth of thought that challenges the audience to reflect on themes of hope, aspiration, and struggle.

“Mumble Rap” has him on his socially conscious tip, focusing on gentrification and its impact on communities. Lupe uses vivid storytelling to depict the experiences of individuals affected by displacement and economic hardship. He highlights the disconnect and the struggle to maintain one's identity amidst changing surroundings. The lyrics are thought-provoking, painting a picture of the complexities of urban life and the human cost of progress. There’s a sense of urgency and frustration conveyed through the verses as Lupe grapples with the consequences of these shifts.

“The definition of possession

The state of being completely under the influence

Of an idea or emotion...”

In “Til Eternity,” Lupe Fiasco delivers a thought-provoking and intricate lyrical performance. He touches upon themes of survival, societal views, and finding truth. His words paint vivid pictures of struggle, flexibility, and the pursuit of something more profound. “No. 1 Headband” navigates ambition, identity, and resilience through cultural references and personal introspection with a blend of imagery ranging from martial arts metaphors to modern Black life. Judging by the title, it symbolizes the zenith of personal and artistic achievement, a coveted prize in the martial arts mythos that Fiasco places squarely in the context of his journey. “Turn Gary to gold, close to gold/Pull some soldier to toe, rose a toe, bro,” Lupe raps to his exceptional skill as a wordsmith.

Speaking of playing with metaphors and allusions, “Cake” finds Lupe celebrating a significant achievement, arguably transcending his previous accomplishments. This amalgamation of complex language and diverse references—from Janis Joplin to Kurt Vonnegut—exemplifies Lupe’s cerebral approach to rap, culminating in a track that metaphorically “takes the cake” for its lyrical depth and ingenuity. He acknowledges the indispensable contributions of his listeners and adversaries, attributing his success to their engagement with his work:

“Compliments on my accomplishments

Are only possible due to your involvement.”

He continues to highlight his remarkable lyrical craftsmanship, juxtaposing vivid imagery and intellectual wordplay, such as “My delivery shivers like Siberian areas” and “A combination of confrontation and pondering.”

Back to the commentary, “Bigfoot” captures a multi-faceted exploration of personal and communal struggles, aspirations, and reflections on performance and identity. Fiasco delves into the depth of personal engagement and energy, observing that “The responsibility feels just like a calling.” This theme of grappling with personal and professional obligations recurs throughout the track. “Outside” eloquently navigates between visceral emotion and intellectual rigor, reflecting on social interactions, personal introspection, and the complexities of artistic creation. His use of vivid imagery—such as “Love, daps, and hugs, raps can plug up holes in less than holistic souls”—highlights the healing power of music and a critique of superficiality.

The juxtaposition of profound reflections on ethics (“My business bone is connected to my ethics/In a series of daisy chain preferences”) with the mundane (“Calbee tasting like your money in my pocket/Mixed with chocolate, chips, and chopped up chicken and delicious droplets of mild sauce”) lets him oscillate between the philosophical and the everyday. These lyrics illustrate the tension between artistic inspiration's loftiness and ordinary life's grounding.

“Palaces” mediates human vulnerability and aspiration against the soulful backdrop. The song juxtaposes our self-perception as “fortresses made of stone” with the reality that we are, in essence, “palaces made out of flesh and bone.” This metaphor poignantly highlights the fragility of human life despite our inherent strength. Additionally, Lupe’s reference to society pressures and the ephemeral nature of fame—intertwined with allusions to personal and collective struggle—illuminates a broader commentary on the human condition. His intricate wordplay about artistic integrity, shown in “Don’t tamper with a sample… my songs, unless you strong,” reinforces artists’ sanctity and personal stake in their work. 

Nine years ago, Lupe Fiasco unleashed Tetsuo & Youth, signaling a powerful resurgence in his career as he broke free from the constraints of mainstream sounds. The Chicago-based artist assumed the dual mantle of poet and intellectual, intertwining intricate allegories and linguistic gymnastics into a body of work that could proudly stand alongside his seminal early-2000s creations. With Samurai, a more compact offering clocking in at 30 minutes, Lupe Fiasco may have sacrificed the expansive nature of his earlier albums, but he has kept their depth intact. This newfound brevity is a surprising yet effective choice, allowing his sharp wit and lyrical precision to shine within a more confined space, resulting in remarkable outcomes on his ninth studio album.

Great (★★★★☆)

Favorite Track(s): “Mumble Rap,” “Palaces,” “Til Eternity”