Lupe Fiasco - Dumb It Down (Official Video)

[@TheSammyAberdeen]

This song is honestly in the running for best rap song of all time and it's criminally underrated.

[@Mike-xm1hl]

It's criminal

[@jameschauvet3140]

💯

[@boinkye]

Felony

[@K.B.Williams]

I was looking for a comment like this like 10 years ago. Shall I say 15 years ago?

[@Steez224]

It and Put You On Game

[@geekingtoomuch1546]

Todays rappers could never go this lyrically deep

[@toromomo8]

He is a today rapper, also lotta rappers go deep nowadays bro just gotta look past the “mainstream”

[@rawwthoughts47]

I got some music I’m sure you’ll enjoy if your a fan of lyricist check me out on all platforms at RawwThoughts

[@Steez224]

Only a handful of rappers even back in the day could rap this well.

[@billzbez6019]

There isn't even a lot of pass rappers that can touch this type of lyrical monstrosity lol

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

These agents we hear on the radio are pushing a manufactured ratchet sub-culture for our people to adopt..the powers that be don't want hip hop like this or hip hop from the Gods..they want the youth dumb

[@philipmonroe81]

This song was like a a wake up call for what hip hop is now. Dudes dumbed down and sold that ass. Thx Lupe for never lowering your standards!

[@mistanderson]

Ummmmmm But the Fans are dumb

[@1trl2]

Big time facts

[@JohnBoyJoy]

As society increases in stupidity rap is only going to get dumber. Movies will get dumber. Art. Everything. We're literally living ng in a world like the film Idiocracy

[@RealCGH]

I mean most main stream artist was not rapping like this even back then

[@largec]

Wow!...you actually knew what is going on this music industry, with that being said, do you really think those rappers who sold their souls are making great money in this shady industry?

[@Smolinski21]

The genius of that song is Lupe decides to make a song that's just about him bragging that he's a dope rapper, something he never does because he usually raps about important stuff. He does that to dumb down his style to appeal to the masses, but even in doing so, he makes a song with metaphors so fucking clever that's it's still a really smart song and therefore not stupid enough for mainstream audiences to get it. He basically saying even if I dumb my shit down, I'm still to slick for yall.

[@AmariMarvelous]

That's Lupe for ya! Lol

[@AmariMarvelous]

I would also add that even in the hook where the black dude is telling Lupe to dumb it down and the white guy is telling him the same thing, they're both coming from different perspectives which all boils down to the concept of telling Lu "dumb it down". It's simple but genius at the same time and this was back in '07.

[@randylahey345]

That was the whole point of this album, The Cool is mocking what we perceive to be cool in modern day culture. It's crazy how this album continues to be more and more relevant, at least near the Chicago area. The funny thing is this song was designed for mainstream and still didn't hit, because people are so deaf to the message. This album really caused me to analyze not only the music I listened to but also life choices.

[@PrincessIgna]

Hahaha I love that!!!

[@cutthewicked]

this is a clapback to his label for sure. this is his drake back to back diss. the label is meek mill lol. lupe boasted and rapped over exec heads on a hard hitting beat imitating them and giving the world a wife screen shot of the dephs of lupes wit culture and intellect. this is art.

[@cyrusradcliff5391]

The man dumbed it down while being complex at the same time. The man is the best rapper alive I STAND ON THAT.

[@felix207]

I respect that. He's in my top 10. I'm 37, so I have a few 90's rappers ahead of him plus rakim

[@rhound50]

This song is a perfect GFY to the industry. Look everyone I'm gonna dumb it down and I'm still to complex for you.

[@ishaking6278]

I am sorry, but he is not even close to best rapper

[@MrGeeQ]

He doesn’t teach at MIT for nothing

[@loopspringsteen1479]

i want PROH'blems!!!!!

[@LTindaMP]

This is easily the best song I have ever heard in my entire life

[@QBryant14]

This song still 🔥🔥🔥 and superstar lupe fiasco needs to comeback to music

[@sereysothe.a]

Qua Hoover u listen to drogas wave??

[@outsiderzzzz]

u aint winnin no awards nigga robots and skateboards, nigga?

[@MisterUrbanWorld]

@@outsiderzzzz Forget Awards// I'd rather use Swords// I hold more power than Extension Cords// Skateboards? Urban is a War Lord// Battling fakes on their Keyboards

[@swaggteamdons]

😂😂 Nbs

[@saleemnassah]

2020 still one of the best tracks EVER!! Genius wordplay 🙌🏿

[@blahblah4129]

Yeap!

[@knowitallnyc3241]

Yo this nigga lupe a goat check me for that nyc kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWoqHiZbpuMaJY

[@samuelwilson5465]

This is one of the top hip hop songs ever.

[@carlosurizar9196]

Facts!!

[@Danny_R_]

Yea. I cant believe i havent heard this until today..... 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@EJandThem]

This song becomes more and more relevant every year. 🔥 Can we get a Tiny Desk please!

[@Pastregulation]

This entire album is a classic.

[@bradlee2247]

On gawd bro. This album has great replay value.

[@ATrueProHero]

Nfs . The cool deserves way more acknowledgment

[@loopspringsteen1479]

they not ready for this conversation whatsoever!!!!!!

[@analogueoverdigital929]

Still one of the best artists, visionaries, and never sold his soul. This album, absolutely flawless

[@newwave3792]

He definitely sold out

[@SamuelMoore-l7w]

@@newwave3792wasn’t lasers and everything after contract work

[@1trl2]

On that Lasers album, he did but got it back!

[@dejacreacts4964]

Lupe is that MC that you gotta listen to multiple times just catch what he is saying. That’s just how dope he is with his wordplay.

[@koldraiynedownskayle5744]

Over several years. Sometimes you mentally just ain't ready. Like teaching trigonometry to a three year old.

[@13youngtazz]

Agreed

[@Therealmoseslupai]

Hell yeah. Especially his song "Mural".

[@taylorford6588]

Yep Only Rappers Ik Like That Is Him ,King Los &Kendrick It's A Couple More Can't Think Of Them Off The Back Thou

[@dejacreacts4964]

@@Therealmoseslupai and my personal favorite Gotta Eat. I’m think he’s talking about fast food but he’s using fast food as a metaphor while telling the story of a drug dealer.

[@josephalcindor61]

It’s genuinely wild how ahead of his time Lupe was. GQ man of the year, rappers skateboarding, Goyard bags all common as hell in 2023

[@paulevans6066]

16 year old me: "wtf is he saying brah" 29 year old me: "oh shit I get it now"

[@darriuswilliams6007]

16 yr old me shits hot 29 yr old me shits hot

[@hyus7310]

I just listened again and I listen often and caught a new gem! Knowledge add each one teach one. But you gotta understand the lesson.

[@munysullivan1185]

😂😂😂 so factual

[@rawross2.0]

It be like that sometimes ✨💡✨ illumination.

[@deewest1472]

Facts lol

[@prof3ssor178]

2007 memories! A very different year for Hip-Hop, Lupe opened alotta doors and inspired a new generation like Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Joey Badass, etc.

[@chicagomade8646]

Big Facts!! 💯

[@khrashingphantom9632]

Thank you for mentioning Joey Bada$$! Too few people bring him up and he’s LEGIT!!

[@bumslightrail2382]

Such a underrated rapper.

[@Los150]

Criminally.

[@ishaking6278]

Overrated asf

[@IshmaelCarson]

Still a breathe of fresh air.

[@BakiBundles]

That first verse def going over people’s heads... and the 2nd.. and the 3rd. If you here, then you understand or trying to

[@americahasaproblem2632]

We trying bro we trying

[@damiantomlinson2957]

Hip hop today in this era is Dumb down it’s very sad

[@VAbulldog82]

And Lupe saw that it was about to happen over a decade ago with this song.

[@brandonshaw5882]

Still listening to this classic album in 2024!

[@kincamell]

On December 18, 2007 one of the best albums from one of the best artist, ever hit the stores.

[@greatnatebolton8805]

years later & I'm still pulling gems from this track. that's good music.

[@altGoolam]

Lupe ... Held a torch for Hip-hop for the 2010's. Allah protect and preserve him.

[@Navionthebeat]

This song is very relevant for these times

[@marctouss1862]

facts..

[@melvintejera196]

One of the greatest Lupe songs period. Fucking legend. One of the GOATS.

[@lareina9071]

Periodt!!

[@sthillsthill7558]

Over all well all over the board

[@motivationtheory6999]

​@@lareina9071 facts Lupe is one of the best to ever do it...

[@da0484]

This track is more relevant now than when it came out. Look how low music has gone to since then.

[@user-yo9xs8tl5o]

For real. Makes me wanna cut my own ears off.

[@analogueoverdigital929]

Yup. Glizzy this, fn that, smithy and wess that, ima get yah, opps, (kill all my opps who are all your brothers...)...no wonder black culture is fd right now

[@rhound50]

Lupe dumbs it down and it still goes over most peoples heads. Legend

[@lesaczv8072]

No doubt

[@Xan947]

Lupe is a lyrical genius 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@cameo1013]

Lupe has more wisdom in one verse, than Eminem has in his entire catalog.

[@raineeconerty1516]

They are both lyrical wordsmiths. It's hard to compare them. They are great in their own ways.

[@threezysworld8089]

​@@raineeconerty1516 Eminem talks almost exclusively about literally nothing, what's so great about that? 😂

[@analogueoverdigital929]

​​@@threezysworld8089and made it triple diamond or platinum or w.e and lives in an estate that could fit all our houses inside, while also having enough F you money to not care😂. I think Em won..

[@analogueoverdigital929]

Dumbest comment ever. Let's compare a an Apple to this pumpkin. Two different styles. Two different word plays, rhymes, cadence, and material. .. he dumbed it down so much you had to comment this 🗑️

[@threezysworld8089]

@@analogueoverdigital929 You thinking is exactly where you went wrong.

[@notavailable4596]

Lupe was on fire for like a straight decade. J Cole before J Cole. Kendrick before Kendrick.

[@89whodatcha]

Lupe is timeless …truly one of the GOATS

[@1214gooner]

If you just found out about Lupe... Go chilldren! Go and listen to all he has to offer! Listen to all of Food & Liquor, and The Cool and even more phonetically flabbergasting, his mixtapes! & when you have finished, go and spread the Lupe like Lupus to every man woman and child!

[@mariolee8175]

😂😂😂😂

[@elliottharris9015]

His flow is sick, Lupe is top 5.

[@lesaczv8072]

No doubt

[@pooch72]

Lupe fiasco performed The Cool in its entirety at Chicago's Riot fest last night. Amazing

[@jayforbes5774]

I’ve been listening to this song heavy lately

[@swaggteamdons]

Ain't nothing else to listen to but trash and dookey

[@wj6604]

Listen to this on a regular, just fire.

[@Timewarp3000bc]

Me too

[@newera5238]

Because what he speaking on reflect so much of today's music on these radio Airwaves

[@daniel_debo]

This track still goes hard that beat 🥶 Lupe bodied this period.

[@NaturalDivineGoddess]

Don't Miss IT: You've been shedding too much light, You make them want to do right, They're getting self-esteem, These girls are trying to be queens, They're trying to graduate from school, They're startin to think that smart is cool, They're trying to get up out the hood, I'll tell you what you should do??

[@Makaveli2779]

third verse tying all the metaphors together while still flowing perfectly is just insane

[@eleanorgames2857]

All 3 verses are seriously dope... over 93.7% ppls heads

[@Lysha85]

2024! This joint still 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@tyrekenorman1526]

Bro I heard this song some years back but I was young this the hardest shit I heard in forever at 25 years old no cap

[@jjsocool55]

“Which makes me necklace-less like a necklace theft” 😮😮😮😮

[@PlayoffP305]

I love Lupe! I love Kendrick too. So blessed to be alive to experience both GOATs

[@lillianpatterson9247]

This is fire !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Wyd623]

Lupe called everything before it happened listen to words I never said

[@sphakamisozondi]

Underrated lyricist

[@ishaking6278]

Overrated af

[@thebiz5942]

lupe is the only rapper to use the word blokes in a rap.. never heard it even in australian rap

[@shinobinokami774]

Greatest of all time

[@joelglaud]

So trill and so sincere yea I'm both them there..

[@posajnejkwahb]

This shit blew my mind when it came out, hip hop took a quantum leap forward with this one

[@crazyczech3620]

2023 LU still the supplier of the notes for living! 💯 🔥

[@niknik166]

Growing up around kids that made fun of me for reading and shit. Lupe kept my spirit up back in the day.

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

When he dropped this song i had a different respect for this brother..he knew what was going down in the industry behing the scenes..he knows who the real enemy is..

[@HaShinaAllen-n6p]

Lupe for president 😎 this song it's self is Gold its on heavy rotation 🔥🔥🔥🔥🥰

[@swatisquantum]

Still relevant today.

[@kantrellebradford1284]

Yeah this isn't a Rap song . This dude deserves his own religion . This is nothing to be categorized. Theres no words for what I've just witnessed

[@CoDaC35]

This song helped change my life... thank you Lupe... as always " I ain't dumbing down nothin'"

[@lightonorganic4789]

Genius level exploded

[@calibahmk2960]

0:18 he shows us the symbol and tell them he’s fearless from jump. I love it.

[@Fildoggy]

CalibahMK2 what is the symbol

[@swaggteamdons]

I'm wondering the same thing

[@stayg7798]

CalibahMK2 1 year later I still want to know what the symbol was

[@gary5452]

@@stayg7798 me too.

[@stayg7798]

Gary I think I figured it out, if you pause the video and go to 0:18 he points his finger on his ear telling critics to listen. Yep, I figured it out. 🤯

[@julieuzii6350]

i remember finding this song when it first came out and my mind was blown…. still all this time my mind is blown w his triple entendres

[@R2TheArTisT]

This and daydreaming were my favorites

[@davidvincent9545]

This was the song that made my ass get into that shop and buy the album.

[@gregorydunston2952]

The genius in this song to this day, still amazes me

[@kazmir_]

Damn I Remember my dad showing me this song when I was like 3rd grade and at the same time I was really into NERD wearing ice creams and skating. Timeless track for certain people.

[@undergroundvagos8481]

I think this song was the first sign that Lupe was capable of doing great things with his pen. He made it happen with Tetsuo & Youth. That was when he realized his true potential. Lupe is one of the few artists that grew and matured along with their music.

[@deecee1853]

Lupe has been great since Food & Liquor. Hell even his mixtapes before that. This was not the first sign of greatness

[@TheBlackJewelz]

HOW IN THE FREAKN FREAK OF FREAK DOES THIS ONLY HAVE 1/4 MILLION VIEWS??!! ONE OF THE GREATEST RAPS E V E R R R R R

[@dynamic9016]

Amazing Lyricism.

[@willisgrant1521]

Futuristic lyrics from another galaxy. He's tuned in to the unseen, advanced beings.🖖🏿

[@missselfdestruct9651]

ages 13-16 i listened to metal and metal exclusively, and would look down on every artist of any other genre. at roughly 17, i slowly branched out and moved on to goth music, industrial, and electro. finally, at 18, i became open to any kind of music, and fell in love with the wu tang clan. a little over a year ago, i met a very special man online. we liked the same movies and music, and had a similar way of thinking and approaching things. he wouldn't shut up about lupe, and so i checked him out. this song was the first one. needless to say, it did not take long for me to get into him. i am from germany and my friend is from sweden and we have never personally met and yet, i have never felt a connection this special and intense with anyone else i have ever spoken to. we spent nights talking on the phone, laughing and crying together. it's now been over a month since i've heard from him. the last message i got was "give me a moment, my love" and he was gone. none of my messages are delivering, no matter the app or platform, i keep trying to call him, but there's no trace of him. i just bought myself a ticket to see lupe next year. while i am hyped and excited, it sure is bittersweet, because my dear friend, who got me into him in the first place, won't be there with me. arien, whether or not you're ever reading this, and whether or not you're ever coming back, please know i love and miss you and will never forget or replace you. thank you, for getting me into lupe, among the countless other things you did for me and taught me.

[@blackdynamite7177]

2nd verse 1 of the greatest in Hip-hop history!!!

[@soulbeatzmajor]

He was just too advance. Lupe always have a few spots on my playlist

[@iceburgslim2000]

gemini : the “hood mentality”, their perspective on how u should rap. (dumb it down) preppy white boy : the “record label’s mentality”, their encouragement on how you should sound. (dumb it down) You'll sell mo records if U mentality and lyrically “dumb yourself down in the rap game” 😉 more records = more $$$ lupe: rapper

[@youngbrotheraustin4349]

I love Lupe!! This song is one of the hottest songs he’s ever done, such cool rhymes!!

[@quality318]

Lupe Fiasco The Goat

[@KweenBeeHoney]

This shit should be in a book

[@Svlli1983]

This shit applies today more than ever. 🔊🥶

[@mikellcole]

brother is dope

[@memoiroflife28]

Good days!

[@No-ey2de]

Lupe I respect you for this Their starting to think that smart is cool lupe 💯💯🙏🙌🏾

[@sparkynutters690]

Amen. I thought about this song today and man, is it underrated. The metaphors, the allegorical references, the sheer and blatant showcasing of the big picture social issues. So many years later- and more relevant than ever

[@El_WIWIZ]

If it wasnt for this song i wouldnt have gave rap/hip-hop another chance! To this day the wordplay blows my mind!

[@johnlowe-rk9vv]

Top class ❤❤❤ tune

[@RudyTheInternetGod]

We don't need to leave the hood just the mindset🙏🏾 earth is da crib🙏🏾

[@JosePereira-ly5fb]

2020 vision anyone?

[@Collouk1]

This is the G.O.A.T in his prime here no question

[@yaonentwa4141]

2022 still listening to clean rap music, we ain't dumbing it down for no mumbling rappers

[@leafyveins4985]

How does this song not have a billion views

[@larose9023]

Dope ass song. Been bumping this for years now and years to come👌🏾

[@chilliwraslin2510]

I couldnt stop thinking about this song while i was watching American Fiction

[@jay-p4111]

2020. Damn man dumbed down indeed

[@NibberKSmooth]

An underplayed, eternal classic.

[@mogamatyusufmartin9171]

Lupe's best song from his discography for me

[@mickag09]

Tell me one rapper in 2024 who has this lyricism. Nope. Kendrick? Nope. Cole? Nope. Sicknesss

[@GGMC556]

R.A the Rugged Man

[@markang6774]

Still here To infinity and beyond.

[@martinxayachack1019]

Been a minute since I've heard this

[@paralfreqnc1397]

amazing they made us forget about these bars

[@RIV365]

Lupe a legend for even getting this off on a major label 😂

[@CambodianPeaches]

Wow, nostalgic

[@harleygreen8507]

This album is legendary

[@AVibeCalledYes]

Man this came out during my freshman year of college. And I'm from the Chi. We had chillset, listened, drank, and caught entendres like a MF listening to this. Good tomes 😊❤🎤🎵

[@intoTheEther1]

First heard Lupe on Art of Rhyme. Anyone remember that site? Lupe predicted the future in so many different ways, that's his genius.

[@rses916]

He's an aquarius. Thats who they are always ahead.

[@oktusprime3637]

Not even 1M views after 14 years WTF? The counter must be broken.

[@faustovaldez]

That whole bit at 2:28 about necks some of the hardest shit I ever heard