Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
| Lupe Fiasco's The Cool | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 18, 2007 | |||
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| Length | 70:56 | |||
| Label |
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| Lupe Fiasco chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Lupe Fiasco's The Cool | ||||
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Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, also shortened to The Cool or LFTC, is the second album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released through 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records on December 18, 2007. It was supported by the singles "Superstar," "Hip-Hop Saved My Life," "Paris, Tokyo," and "Dumb It Down". In 2022, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over a million copies.[1]
Background
During the album's creation, Fiasco's father died from type II diabetes, friend was murdered, and manager Chilly was incarcerated on drug charges. This had an impact on the album as he was in a mentally dark place.[2][3]
The album loosely revolves around the concept of a boy named Michael Young History, who gets involved in the street life. Michael is raised by the two supernatural entities, The Game and The Streets, who are bad influences.[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Baba Says Cool for Thought" | Wasalu Jaco | 0:46 | |
| 2. | "Free Chilly" (featuring Sarah Green and Gemstones) |
| Soundtrakk | 1:02 |
| 3. | "Go Go Gadget Flow" |
| Soundtrakk | 4:10 |
| 4. | "The Coolest" |
|
| 5:12 |
| 5. | "Superstar" (featuring Matthew Santos) |
| Soundtrakk | 4:48 |
| 6. | "Paris, Tokyo" |
| Soundtrakk | 4:3 |
| 7. | "Hi-Definition" (featuring Snoop Dogg and Poo Bear) |
| Al Shux | 3:51 |
| 8. | "Gold Watch" |
|
| 4:12 |
| 9. | "Hip-Hop Saved My Life" (featuring Nikki Jean) |
| Soundtrakk | 4:02 |
| 10. | "Intruder Alert" (featuring Sarah Green) |
| Soundtrakk | 4:00 |
| 11. | "Streets on Fire" (featuring Matthew Santos) |
|
| 4:40 |
| 12. | "Little Weapon" (featuring Bishop G and Nikki Jean) |
| Stump | 4:06 |
| 13. | "Gotta Eat" |
| Soundtrakk | 3:24 |
| 14. | "Dumb It Down" (featuring Gemstones and Graham Burris) |
| Soundtrakk | 4:03 |
| 15. | "Hello / Goodbye (Uncool)" (featuring Unkle) |
|
| 4:26 |
| 16. | "The Die" (featuring Gemstones) |
| Soundtrakk | 3:23 |
| 17. | "Put You on Game" |
| Simonsayz | 3:02 |
| 18. | "Fighters" (featuring Matthew Santos) |
| Le Messie | 3:33 |
| 19. | "Go Baby" (featuring Gemstones) |
| Soundtrakk | 3:36 |
| Total length: | 70:56 | |||
- Notes
- "Go Go Gadget Flow" interpolates a line from "Don't Get it Twisted Freestyle" by Lupe Fiasco.
- "The Coolest" samples "Let the Drums Speak" performed by The Fatback Band.
- "Paris, Tokyo" samples "San Juan Sunset" performed by Eumir Deodato; and interpolates a line from "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" performed by Snoop Dogg featuring Nate Dogg, Kurupt and Warren G.
- "Gold Watch" samples "Do Whatever Turns You on Part. II" performed by The Prepositions.
- "Streets on Fire" samples "Amen, Brother" performed by The Winstons.
- "Little Weapon" samples "De Profundis" performed by Arvo Pärt; and interpolates a line from "Heat Under the Babyseat" by Fiasco.
- "Dumb It Down" samples "Ignorant Shit" by Fiasco.
- "Hello / Goodbye (Uncool)" samples "Chemistry" performed by Unkle.
- "The Die" samples "The Cool" by Fiasco; and "Damn Your Eyes" written by Stephen Bogard and Barbara Wyrick.
References
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Westhoff, Ben (January 9, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco Hints at Music Retirement". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Sawjani, Archna (December 17, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco: Thought Process". XXLmag.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Solarsk, Matthew (November 30, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco Talks The Cool, Cheeseburgers, Retirement". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2026.