Lupe Fiasco - 'Samurai' ALBUM REVIEW | DEHH

[@rouge939]

Lupe has been dropping some of his best work these past few years

[@sammoe1292]

It’s Lupe’s “Faust” by Goethe. The guy from behind the bar in the first track is the same guy that vanished in the park after bestowing Amy Winehouse the gift of rap. She reaches the top of rap battle charts with Cake and then the end of the second verse on Palaces we see Lupe has a change of heart and wants to “go back home” - hence the word Palace (sacred) rather than castle or mansion. He’s the number one headband best rapper in the world, though nobody will challenge him because he is unseen like Bigfoot. Lupe, rightly so, feels unseen in rap despite leaving the biggest footprint. Bigfoot is only a legend. But the last two tracks on the album ensure the literary quality is being similar to Goethe’s masterpiece in theme. The first verse on “Outside” is Amy Winehouse’s manager (the same protean guy as from behind the bar and in the park?) tells Lupe to “mull his decision over” But Carrera Lu is a samurai and is inherently and viscerally at odds with this proposal of his manager who wants Lupe to become his cash cow. Lupe turns the deal down and on the final track Til Eternity, the protagonist’s journey comes to an end. All she’s been through, receiving the gift, reaching the top, having her spiritual awakening, finally being offered the proposal, after turning it down, she gets in a car wreck (verse one on Til Eternity)…but the person that stumbles from the wrecked vehicle is not Amy Winehouse…it’s Lupe Fiasco (sort of like a twist in a psychological thriller)…he is a wounded Samurai trundling down the dimly lit road, which is a very Akira Kurosawa-esque image to end on, and is also traditionally symbolic of the Samurai. But the ironic part about the whole thing, is by turning down the decision to become the cash cow, Lupe has placed a greater value on solitude and privacy than on fame and fortune. And also though he has declined the spotlight like Superstar…what he has gained in return is mastery over his craft, which is kind of sad because though he gained his mastery, nobody will know it….but to Lupe, this mastery is still of greater value than the spotlight, even if only very few people ever recognize it. The end of the second verse on Palaces is the end of Lupe’s time under Atlantic Records. And anyone with half a brain knows that, despite our endearing love for F&L1 and especially The Cool… he didn’t begin his prime until Tetsuo & Youth, the best rap album of all-time. Yes, I have been a Lupe nerd for twenty years, but never really write or speak on it. This is Lupe’s Faust.

[@justdewitt2140]

The Boxing reference on Palaces. Beautiful way to say stay in the pocket. In boxing the pocket means being within range to strike an opponent while also making it difficult for them to attack. While in rapping involves finding a rhythmic "pocket" while riding the beat "When you cornered, gotta shorten your stance Lessen your tales, Philly-shelled, don't orbit or dance You hear the bell then report to the band Then do whatever that the chorus commands and for the 'Gram" ... Man!

[@Ichabodbrain]

Bruh this scheme blew my mind

[@manga3040]

Hell yea man! Thanks for pointing that out. More depth there in 1 bard than some people's entire album.

[@kingzingo]

Myke C we need you mate on this one, your input on Lupe is what this video missing :(

[@luiscueva1912]

Yeah man I feel you, these reviews are real bland without myke

[@deonnelson9780]

​@@luiscueva1912 yall probably annoying him ngl

[@Starlord652]

Hopefully we will get a solo review of this project from Myke himself

[@knickknack675]

Cry more

[@devhaynes]

I feel you on this....anybody know why he left though?

[@thaspydaman21]

No 1 Headband is a great reference for all the anime heads. This album was fire. I still gotta really dive completely in it.

[@danielkujawski4098]

Kens old Dino ass said Alice wine house 😂😂😂😂

[@RobCosta]

DEHH got these really neat, very beautifully alliterated, little rap reviews for you 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@M2DreDaniel]

Album was 100% 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@AnthonyKComedy]

No. 1 Headband is the summer anthem.

[@MartyMcFly__25]

Them Horns go crazy!!!

[@stoopconvo2924]

He had me when he said turn Gary into the Gold Coast

[@johnredcolt3]

Glad yall took our recommendations from the last video on the grading system. This was way better !

[@directedbysunny]

We always listening 🫡

[@AndersOHMoberg]

yeah wanted to jump in the comments and say this. the grades showing up towards the middle or second third is perfect for what's it meant for. really happy to see this already i think it was fine to discuss why you ranked something this way or another, but as long as the grades are a summation of the discussion and not too much the conversation itself we are good, and we are

[@RdotAllen528]

Drill Music was an upgrade in Lupe's repertoire. He has always been lyrically complex but he is more poetic now. His imagery is more vivid and his metaphors are more complex now. His flows are more diverse and polished. This album is an extension of that and is definitely different, in my opinion. He is becoming less rapper and more artistic in real time, the rapping artist now rather than the artistic rapper. Salute to Lupe and you guys, as well.

[@bolder2009]

Interestingly, this album was recorded before DMIZ.

[@theory1317]

I agree with Ken, this gives off the vibe of the cool. Just the way it curated, the lyrics.

[@evg0708]

Especially when you get the Amy Winehouse as a battle rapper concept and how Lupe tells the story of how she gets the ability to rap in Mumble Rap. When you get the concept and are able to follow it through the album..it definitely feels like a mini version of The Cool..just with Amy Winehouse as the character

[@Ichabodbrain]

​@@evg0708 it's like the cool meets illmatic

[@peterbadami4872]

Soundtrakk production wise really recaptured early the Jazzy moments from "Food and Liquor" and "The Cool". Tracks like "Kick-Push", "Paris Tokyo",

[@hiphopbreaux]

I fw the fact that you guys actually listen to your subs. We literally mentioned doing the grades last in the last video and the very next video y'all took heed and the video is GREAT.

[@dmontypython7947]

It’s extremely early to say this but at least for right now, this is my favorite Lupe album. The production and his flows keep me soooo interested in this compared to his other albums. Great review guys!🧡

[@paulm394]

Ever since Lupe got off his label he’s been in rap god mode. Gets to make what he wants without hackers or protestors to get it dropped and it’s fine art.

[@cyberbron2024]

Sucks that those bad projects with Atlantic turned off a lot of fans. Dudes been on a crazy run since Tetsuo and Youth.

[@CerealSensei410]

I agree with Ken. After I finished my first listen this instantly made me think of The Cool. Some of the flows on here feel like vintage Lupe. Love this album. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.

[@jroameverywhere]

Salute yall implementing the grades at the end. The flow of the video feels more natural now with the addition of the new grading system. Yall talked about the album more and kept the grading discussion.

[@tesorodelao6792]

PALACES IS THE SUMMER ANTHEM! I love Lupe’s SLR’s, NUMBER 1 being my favorite!

[@gintoki_sakata__]

Til eternity is a classic

[@professionallyamateur5991]

The lyricism is killer on that one, but that PIANO *collides* with the ear drum.

[@FrancisMarten]

Cake is the second most downloaded song. What's he talking about? This is the album I always knew this guy could make. He can't miss on these types of instrumentals.

[@FrancisMarten]

It's Dope, but Food & Liquor 2 is still my go to.

[@SleepFan771]

Samurai is easily my favorite hip hop album of the year. Lupe brings bars with punchlines and depth. His flows are wild and the beats are beautiful

[@BantuTu]

I love how Lupe always gets you all out of hiding.

[@levitate.]

Thank you for making the adjustment on the grading. Much better

[@justinxavier2395]

Oh snap lol y'all moved the grading to the back - it's perfect there! Appreciate y'all 👊🏿

[@MartyMcFly__25]

I’m really enjoying Samurai. Lupe has been on a tear since leaving Atlantic. Lupe also seemed a bit brighter emotionally here for me compared to DMIZ. Now hopefully we get Skulls

[@hoc1992]

Another Masterpiece by Lupe

[@dealowmorgan885]

This the review we need Myke on

[@MDF-xd3hw]

Did Ken say “Alice” Winehouse?

[@12Saintsrow]

I caught it too lmaooo old man moment

[@kingzingo]

@@12Saintsrow sadly the rest didnt know anything related to Amy, review is so shallow and blend sadly.

[@JohnnyZBeatZ]

Please do a review of Yelawolf new album ….

[@topbackpodcast2615]

Beezy too lol. He said DRAGOS Wave

[@prodbyed4549]

smh

[@glizzy2675]

Til eternity is so fire 😮‍💨🔥🔥🔥

[@7Ronin7]

This passion project is 🔥 💯

[@timothypayton7623]

Lupe does what he wants now so some ppl are not gonna like it the core fans will, artistic freedom is what a fan should want for these men and women not what you want as a fan

[@mohauntaopane4264]

Y’all wildin this shit impeccable. I wasn’t sold immediately as well, but damn. Ear worm after ear worm.

[@221ddj]

The album is dope. Super high replay value because it has a vibe, and the project is short. I would have preferred 1 or 2 more tracks to fully complete the idea, but I think it was left slightly unfinished on purpose. Lyrics - A Flow - A Production - A Execution - B+ Sonically - A+ Overall - Solid A

[@bolder2009]

Lupe said he was gonna include a couple more tracks but Chill told him to leave it as it is.

[@scarecrowzw]

To state that lyricism is far too wordy and off-putting to people is a disservice to the art of Lupe Fiasco. I think if we pay attention to his trajectory, Lupe stopped pandering. That is the essence of Hip-Hop. If we start complaining about excellence in a craft as off-putting, then we are dismissing the whole point of the culture. It's an alternative culture that shouldn't exist but does because it is polarising. #scarecrowzw

[@stevescotthiphop]

I've heard every Lupe album and Samarui is top 5 work. He's one of the rare artists in the craft that's getting better with age

[@raaemcee]

A great body of art and tribute to Amy Winehouse. Feels he's intwertwining the span of his career into this concept especially on Palaces. Lupe report card & bracket fasho 💯

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

Amazing album A plus. Best album of year so far. Lupe year.

[@paulm394]

Aight im bouta go off Felt to me story wise that: Samurai- her in her real life career yearning to rap like the call he used for the hook Mumble rap - she’s possessed/given powers, “every word will be in another art” then she wins her first battle at the end of you hear the adlibs. Cake - coming off the alarm clock at the end of track 2 she’s on a high from victory, (obvi allusion to her passing in her sleep in real life Palaces - I agree was most referential to her real life. Seems like she’s passing on and the last verse “we made a pact - I’m going back home” seems like the guy in the park that possesses her raps the last verse (as well as til eternity. Rest of the album isn’t as distinctly storytelling to me more leaning on Lupe’s personal story told through Amy’s story he created. Crazy that I’d still put this his 4th or 5th album.

[@raaemcee]

@@paulm394 great analysis/breakdown of the concept 💯

[@REMembermusik]

Love this project. Palaces my favorite song. The No. 1 Headband is an Anime reference to Afro samurai. Love his music recently, reminds me of samurai champloo. Production nutz.

[@GoB1996]

Just so you guys know there was an Instagram post YEARS ago that he removed, talking about working on The Cool 2. He said it was gonna be a very long time but it was coming together, so maybe the fact some felt that vibe here is a sign we’re actually getting closer to that. But nah man I gotta move the letter grade up and give flows S+ man. That 3rd verse on Mumble rap, damn Palaces, till Eternity. My man is rapping his ass off. “You can try to put it down like shot put, that’s why I scrape the ground like an Ox foot”😅I love this shit😂

[@BeeMillah25]

Shoutout to Ken lol. I'm a home grown ATL man and Lupe is one of the goats of Hip Hop. I love this album. No surprise though. All of his albums are 🔥 to me. Dope review fellas 🙌🏾

[@evg0708]

I don’t think they understood the Amy Winehouse as a battle rapper concept. They did all like the album though. Would have loved Myke’s input because I think he would have caught it lol

[@Youreallygonnaactlikethat]

We understood it the album was just not that good at the same time stop being so deep that’s why he not popular at the same time I can’t connect with if amy winehouse was a battle rapper like dude are white or are you just dumb ? Yall gonna call em a hater but whatever dawg

[@QuintenCampbell]

Yea, it's disappointing how many miss that concept because it really adds an essential layer to the depth of this album. I'm sure Lupe expected as much though.

[@Deadbreed_therapper]

“Lord please bless my mansion of cards, if ever challenged let us camp in the car. Or hang a hammock from a branch in the park, a planet made of uninhabited parts”… something about that line is so beautiful.

[@ryuusaki7309]

I need to buy this on cd

[@HB448]

Palaces and Cake give me the same vibes as a Paris Tokyo

[@SageTheChosen]

Album of the year contender

[@beastcoastindigo173]

I think the grades at the end are waaayyyy better than the grades at the front. That way the conversation still flows as normal and the report card discussion is a small segment. Thanks for listening to feedback yall

[@jtothey1993]

One of the best albums this year

[@godsgrace2808]

Gentlemen, this critical examination of Lupe’s new album is stellar. Lupe, is from another sphere representing Chicago artists and beyond; hearing his influence on Chicago indie artists like, NFO Cyphers Purple Box. Much love to your amazing podcast🙏🏽

[@GreenNgold7]

I hate the new grading system, music is about how it made you feel not about passing tests

[@06080809971]

So it's not just me, something about this album felt nostalgic. Not in a oh Lupe feel off kinda thing, just something about it felt like the old stuff

[@higglyjuff]

I'm with Feefo that this feels like an anytime album. Vibes are immaculate.

[@michaelpatterson6512]

Been waiting on this one

[@Colefromtheinternet]

This album is phenomenal. One of Lupe’s best and I been listening for so long now.

[@ShaggyJ1000]

No. 1 Headband is my favorite

[@dashkenshin9748]

Lupe's skill is so fine-tuned that he can get A's and B+'s in every category without including credit for the concept of the project and its cohesiveness as a whole. Imagine being graded for bubbling inside properly on the scantron + actually having correctly answered all questions in detailed essays.

[@geraldwinder5590]

As a long time Lupe fan since his Revenge of the Nerds Albin, I give this an A+... Bars, flow, vibes and production really came through for a well cohesive project... I even bump this in the car while I'm "Outside"... 2 weeks later and it still is in heavy rotation along with my Curren$y and Larry June playlists... Lupe gave me vibes with crazy bars... Still my favorite emcee of all time. 💯💯💯

[@AMileHiii93]

Thank God Lupe escaped Atlantic

[@MRFickNuggetsvanderFlex]

Im mourning Myke's departure so much T_T Cudos to the crew i still watch and you guys are great but i miss my sensitively dreaded honorer of the arts and crafts

[@derbistheeternal2947]

WHERE IS MYKE WHEN WE NEED HIM

[@KailamiMwiinga]

Drogas Wave, House Ep, Drill Music in Zion and Samurai.. Just wow!!!

[@allstardumbazz4773]

No 1 Headband is a nod to Afro Samurai

[@KailamiMwiinga]

Naruto, DBZ, anime weeb shout out

[@Jermainyy]

Top 3 lupe album for me

[@topbackpodcast2615]

That’s pretty bold. for me it’s The Cool, Food & Liquor 1 and Drogas Wave

[@Red5ive]

Same here, zero skips on this one. F&L, The Cool, Samurai, T&Y then Drogas Wave. In that order.

[@wolfhailey8432]

@@Red5ive It's not better than Tetsuo & Youth, you too hype

[@Red5ive]

@@wolfhailey8432 not by a lot but by a cunt hair I’m deadass. I skip blur my hands and Madonna on T&Y and nothing on Samurai. I play this jawn straight through.

[@sammoe1292]

I think T&Y and Drogas Wave are the two best albums in rap history. The Cool at #3 and this maybe battling with DMIZ for 4th.

[@professionallyamateur5991]

Flow: A Lyrics: A Production: B Execution: A Replay: B+ Overall: A- Very good album, and it's SO easy to just put on and listen to! Already went out and copped the vinyl.

[@M2DreDaniel]

Never clicked so fast

[@BrandNameLess]

definitely one of his better projects since after The Cool. but the hooks still don't hit like that. they aren't horrible just okay

[@chief-long-john]

I thought the hook on mumble rap was legit bad personally but I'm in the minority

[@bostons2826]

The semantics in these recent videos have been dragging the reviews down…. Someone needs to be a voice to get the ship back on course lol

[@kaimaynor2007]

Ken lying ass clearly gave the album an A at first even though he had 3 B's 😂 Props to Feefo for catching it

[@EfonEkpo]

Damn, why did you guys abandon picking your top tracks towards the end of the video? I think that you're using the new album rating format to replace it but both should live together.

[@fallbackdigital]

Lupe Brought back Hip-Hop Back With This Album That's a Fact

[@devhaynes]

c'mon guys....much love though but someone of Lupe's caliber deserves more of a breakdown of the music and more research as to the theme and concepts of such an amazing body of work. Ken did allude to Amy AKA Alice lol Winehouse conjuring up battle raps while on the phone talking to someone. Let me provides some more details here. Winehouse was actually leaving a message on her producer Salaam Remi's answering machine, in which she talks about how these battle raps keep pouring out of her...on some WuTang stuff she says. She goes on to say that she has "these really neat very beautifully alliterated battle raps" Lupe actually uses this line verbatim for the hook on Samurai. Winehouse goes on to tease and goad her producer by saying next time you wanna come for me and have a battle rap off. ...I'm gonna kill you cuz I'm a Samurai!

[@ShinOrashi]

Who’s a better rapper than Lupe, Black Thought, and KA right now?

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

Miss rapsody and Che Noir sa-roc

[@poopymcpoop9945]

All different aritist and styles.

[@Giggsboson]

Lupe, Ka, roc marciano for me

[@57kwest]

​@@maryannappiagyei4277Yes.. I hate that Rap and Roc never get mentioned but EVERYONE knows how elite their pen game is

[@ShinOrashi]

Yeah, I’m tripping rn. . . Soon as I seen the replies and saw Roc’s name, I got the stank face immediately thinking about the bars My fault gang

[@drinkmorewater7342]

Such a fantastic album

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

Album best A plus. year of Lupe. Best album of year so far. Same year

[@jroameverywhere]

Lupe is on a crazy run! Another 🔥 album

[@JoeBergy122]

Only problem with the album is it's only 8 songs. Gonna make people think it's just an EP. It's absolutely amazing otherwise.

[@stoopconvo2924]

Haven't been on youtube for a while but these reviews are what i come for but it is something missing with Myke C gone!

[@achronos178]

I need Elzhi and Lupe project! That shit would be so fun!

[@LeeFly23]

I would love Mike on here 🙏🏾

[@GooeyBoyz]

He’s gone bro and he’s not coming back

[@HipHopTheology]

Lupe put his foot in this one

[@murd15]

Lupe in retirement mode. These lil albums he making is lite work in comparison to what he can really do. Where is Skulls album?

[@jwood8769]

Lupe is Top 5 dead or alive. Period

[@Saltine34]

ugh I hate to say it but the report cards, although way better this ep, still feel like it slows down the natural flow of the convo. Sorta the same with the "recommendation" part. Still great content though, great album too

[@whaletheking]

Couldn't agree more, Lupe is on another level

[@smearypigeon]

Amy Winehouse u mean

[@angelmay452]

No. 1 Headland that song titled pays homage To Afro Samurai. Project is dope

[@tinysauruss]

I understand Myke not wanting to be full in on DEHH anymore with every single album, but it's just ridiculous he can't guest star on certain reviews such as this. Can't listen to 8 songs and give your take with the homies? That's just weird to me idk

[@topbackpodcast2615]

Only thing I will critique about this amazing album is that Lupe was too much in his bag. It felt too easy for him like when he was rapping on Drill Music In Zion. I love Soundtrakk’s production but I hope if Lupe makes another album it will have more variety of producers

[@theebonymaw]

i agree. he is floating in that early J. Cole territory where i think his raps and concepts would be elevated* by a more diverse soundscape. *or i should say "further" elevated, since he does put a lot into them in the first place.

[@chefb3432]

this felt like house

[@Station_AI]

My take on the line Ken is referencing is that Lu is learning to appreciate the art of boiling a message down to its rawest form. He no longer looks down on it he now views it as a different approach with its own merits.

[@baghelbhagtana]

he never looked down on it. lupe the same guy that was praising lil b when people were bashing the based god. lupe always been a fan of street raps and trap (future, kodak black, thug, etc.)

[@nostradukemas]

Would be an A+ but making me hear my alarm on repeat in an album is an automatic deduction. Overall A

[@dmoody4628]

Everything Lupe drop a classic

[@demigod_inc]

Listen like 6-7x in the car for 3. Joint gets an B+

[@rjackstheartofwealth6152]

keep going been watchin this shit over a decade now wtf

[@Independent365]

They're giving grades on albums now??

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

DMIZ is a 10/10 for me, Samurai was like a 9/10. Lupe's on a CRAZY RUN RN.

[@hnbastro]

I thought Ken made such a good point on the beauty in simplicity line. Thats how I interpreted the whole Mumble Rap song. The melody and cadence can make up for substance in the wordplay. So many songs are good because they're good. So much of art is meaninglessness but atill beautiful. Lupe has always had a respect for other styles and never high horses even though hes so good he could. I don't think Ken was reaching on that or the "The Cool" point. He might've phrased it confusingly but I think its an essence thing. Samurai felt like Lu was back on his backpack rapper giving his take on the current landscape. Thats what F&L and The Cool were for me. Appreciate you guys (even you Feefo) 🤝🏿

[@infamouseli92]

13:58 I agree with Rob

[@X4Y7Z0]

Too bad they don’t know what the album is about 😂😂. Just rating blindly

[@bluu_ice6554]

I did 100 Tyson push ups while listening to this album, I give it two thumbs up

[@AnferneeMyers]

1:32 Sonic Music (affectionate)

[@GoodMaineRoss]

This album is ok! It’s not better than Drogas Wave and it don’t come close to Food and Liquor nor The Cool. Palaces and Til eternity are my favorite songs on the Album. Samurai and Cake are a vibe also. 🙏🏿