WHY LUPE CAN'T JUST RAP REGULAR? EVERY BAR IS A PARABLE... LUPE FIASCO - NO. 1 HEADBAND (REACTION)

My very 1st Lupe Fiasco Reaction. This is an in depth reaction. I was an early Lupe fan, not a fan today. Still a great MC.

[@AnthonyKComedy]

YoU gOiN OvER PeOples HeAd Lu!

[@soldierbreed]

Dumb it down

[@ohmzlaw1421]

You tryna get an alien to be normal

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@ohmzlaw1421 finally someone can see where I’m coming from…. Lol

[@Datura63]

i just read some ish about Lupe like how he's a real martial artist and his history and i think he really is that super deep extreme nerdy type. nothin but respect on him but i feel you on how he should bring it back to somethin more surface level but i think thats askin him to go against who he really is. hes a legit samurai philosopher lol from what i read at least

[@ghazelite]

Lol. Kendrick is at least 2 tiers below Lupe

[@jghosttheconscious]

Kendrick makes better albums.

[@wokemovement5732]

Not really. His stuff is not musically digestible. Dude rapping bout his own inside jokes.

[@iBEEnHEREtoo]

🧢

[@Dailyviralhiphop]

If that’s what you like lol!

[@merikijiya13]

That’s not how that works sir

[@deltacodealpha]

Your whole argument is for Lupe to make himself and his art more palatable for the masses. But, that is not what a true artist does. As an artist You make art for the art sake not for the mass consumption. Your point is valid, he would be more popular if he did things you suggest, but then he wouldn't be the dopiest lyricist. Rap Genius was invented because of Lupe's complex lyrics. That is the appeal of his art. You read and learn things so each listen you get more out of the song. No other artis has the re-listen value as Lupe. Lol bro. @ 6:00 min don't know what he means by "I'm gonna be #1" the song is called NO. 1 HEADBAND, bro Google it! You might like the Afro Samurai Anime, Samuel L. Jackson voice , and WuTang Music. and Lupe use too many BIG words hahaha, bro, literally says in one of his songs: It is hard being a Lupe fan, got to go to Harvard to be a Lupestan" Slow it down and Dumb it down . HE got a song for you called "Dumb it down" , since you an old school fan .

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@deltacodealpha I been up on Lupe after the first two albums I was done. I was 19 I’m 35 now and I’ve put childish things aside for more grown up rap. I take care my wife and children I don’t have the luxury to chase Lupe’s art. It don’t mean shit to me that’s significant to me learning anything. Played the album I wasn’t inspired. I didn’t get the chills. Just a lot of words. I don’t watch cartoons. He just wasn’t for me. I wish he was but he is not my taste. I would rather play J Cole

[@merikijiya13]

@@jghosttheconsciousjust a small correction. Anime and cartoons are colloquially different. I would highly suggest dipping into some anime if you have free time. Lots of great choice that have impacted people’s lives for decades.

[@jacksonjames6071]

​@@jghosttheconscious lol you just said a bunch of absolute nothing (I didn't bother reading what you wrote) See what I did there? I can just skim over what you wrote and call it absolute gibberish but does it really make it gibberish? You be the judge. You're doing pretty much the same thing, just skimming through a song while paying attention to all the wrong things, or even not paying attention at all.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@jacksonjames6071 appreciate you watching.

[@jacksonjames6071]

@@jghosttheconscious You're welcome bruh. (knowing you, you probably didn't even read my previous comment completely lol. Skimmed through it?)

[@ivanabreu8029]

Dumb it down was made for you😂.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@ivanabreu8029 it’s not that he should dumb it dumb. Just give me something different. It’s not aggressive enough for me. I need aggression.

[@Dailyviralhiphop]

The simple and profound are not polar opposites

[@garybush5471]

Lupe is thee dopest emcee to ever touch a mic

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@garybush5471 who even understands his music?

[@garybush5471]

@@jghosttheconscious smart people.

[@g33p61]

"its hard being a lupe fan, go to harvard to be a lupe stan"-lupe fiasco funny cuz he has now taught at harvard

[@garybush5471]

@@g33p61 MIT

[@g33p61]

⁠@@garybush5471yeah he's full time at mit but he guest taught at harvard or was a visiting professor or whatever... and something like that at yale too pretty sure on til eternity from the new album: "You might have to Harvard before the high school, just like I do"

[@willag-art]

I disagree with you, but your commentary is funny. Dudes can't have a fade and wear a sweater without being corny anymore? 😂

[@lphybridb7]

Thing is, lupe isnt for everyone. As the saying goes. Gotta be a lupe stan to br a lupr fan. His bag is not your regular bag. Ill say that expecting normal rap from lupe is on you. Just cuz you dont get the bars, doesnt make it bad. Maybe its you man. Cuz everyone else is blown away by this album

[@jazmost]

Good analysis. I can 100% agree with some of what you're saying because I'm the total opposite. I don't need to hear about what's going on in the street and how niggas is getting money and hustling. That's regular shit that I see everyday and actually lived. I enjoy Lupe for his artistry. If I wanna hear about a shooting or drug deal, I can just watch the news, or sit on my porch.

[@plusmoore]

good analysis? buddy didn’t break down a single bar nor syllable 😂

[@jazmost]

@@plusmoore That's not entirely true. Besides, there are a million videos that are deciphering lyrics. I think he gave great perspective from a person who has been listening to Lupe for a long time and wanted to express his criticisms. No artist should be above honest critique. Even if we disagree.

[@baghelbhagtana]

lupe is super influential in fashion when it comes to rap. dude the original goyard don and introduced people to yohji yamamoto, comme de garcon, etc. yachty, asap rocky have mentioned his influence. he just in his chill phase, the way ye was in his dressing homeless phase. u calling people corny but u projecting tbh

[@jghosttheconscious]

Lupe dressing weak as hell in the video. I don’t care what brands he did wear. He has no style in this video…. He look stiff….

[@lizethwalker]

Lupe has the lyrical ability to be the king of hip hop thats why his fans go so hard for him but his style of music isnt what is respected as king of hip hop music Lupes music is meant to be for more of a chill vibe, and then you happen to listen to a track enough you gon learn some crazy life lessons metaphor shit that was impossible to catch the first lesson bc its all coming from left field but thats Lupes pocket chill music to catch somethin but niggas want to make him king bc hes got the pen for it but sound/swag/connection to the masses is all part of bein king (The President cant just know politics, he gotta have the image everyone fuck w and know how to talk to the people) And its crazy bc Lupe gotta bar literally saying whats "talkin without the match feelin", its like niggas like Lupe and Lux are coo with just bein as deep and complicated as possible for the ppl down to study it and break it down but they not doin the things to catch as much of the masses as they could, wether on purpose or not its them and how they carry it

[@mir1017801]

I respect and agree with what your saying about Lupe and he's my favorite artists but its exactly why Lupe is not the GOAT to everyone else. I just dont have enough quality music to listen to so I dont mind unpacking his bars.

[@kneelb4me]

He's repping his own clothing label. Lupe is always going to be himself and I like that about him. Singing on the hooks I would have agreed with 10 years ago but he is a lot better at it now with experience.

[@solis176]

Black thought ain’t touching Lupe. You tripping.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@solis176 I totally disagree. He is a Black Thought son.

[@vicasso1502]

Nah you tripping Black Thought is much more polished and poised than Lupe. I like Lupe but he be all over the place sonically lol

[@merikijiya13]

They’re certainly pretty close in terms of lyrical talent. Black Thought is very impressive.

[@richerprior5961]

Yes Lu is lyrically over Thought. They’re in the same tier but Lu is higher

[@smartmouthriveria]

down playing LUPE is crazy....but I guess.

[@TigKnight]

💥

[@daath5114]

I ultimately agree. Lupe is not necessarily deep per se. He's heady and wordy and artsy - yet and still highly lyrically skilled. His ideas and points aren't easily digestible or comprehendible which can be detrimental to the sonic experience.

[@cmoney-kd6xx]

#1 headband (afro samurai) is an anime i guess i need to watch to get this concept.

[@smartmouthriveria]

This man must only listen to NY drill music.

This is all Opinions and I happen to agree with yours J Ghost. Lupe is like Sun RA or Milfred Graves in Jazz. Dope artist that may not have been "accessible" to many listeners. I LOVE Lupe and... I think if he was spazzing out and going full Alien mode on a song or two on alblum that would be dope. From there if he scaled back the rest to reach People he prolly would have a clasSICK. Simple Formula ONE but why won't he race with that? Maybe that's just not him. Or maybe his ego has to feel "smart" or "deep" (which is always relative). Myriad reasons it could be, and we the fans can only enjoy the Murals that he paints and wonder what could BE.... It's not that Lupe goes over our Heads, it's that most of Us are ducking...

[@jghosttheconscious]

Amazing read man. This was a very in depth comment. Thank you for watching and you have a major point….. It may just not be him or he has to feel smart. I feel that one….

[@trillyandtruly211]

Some artists don’t want to be a “STAR”

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@trillyandtruly211 most definitely thanks for watching

[@karashaw7606]

Truth

[@kingsleyoji649]

Lupes doing a dance and you can only see a quarter of the steps. Out of those steps you only see a quarter of the big moments. So his 16s are only 1/16 visible. You have to unearth every word and every meaning to flip it and get the full 16.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@kingsleyoji649 I got lil children don’t no man go time for that. Maybe a boy…. I’m too busy

[@ArcChristelle]

Maybe you should check out some Lupe albums other than his first two. Since you want stories so bad, there's Tetsuo and Youth, Drogas Wave, Drill Music in Zion, House, Pharaoh Heights. All of those have things you're asking for.

[@clow2025]

Cuz Lupe Classic All The Way Around ♠️🎯🛰

[@daath5114]

You're basically saying the old saying: Brevity is the Soul of Wit.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@daath5114 your statement is how to end this Lupe debate. More intelligent people are more clever with less words.

[@user-oc3is7bl1n]

"Lupe needs some testosterone in his bars"😆

[@symboltherapper]

Have you reacted to Mural?

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@symboltherapper I haven’t, send me a link. I’ll check it out.

[@symboltherapper]

@@jghosttheconscious kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fVqp-jbpmrmqssi=1RnPkZqollGai1FC

[@jojorose778]

Not u grilling him the whole video 😂

[@TheRealTrophy]

Bro I’m laughing so Mf hard!!!!!! This video made my morning 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@TheRealTrophy I appreciate your comment thank you for watching. 💪🏾 have a blessed day my g

[@zetsutsuletsu2034]

Mastery is going from simple to complex and then making the complex simple. Lupe struggles with that part sometimes. Royce proved he was better than him back during their little riff imo. I stand on that. Kid Vishis did him dirrty. I still bump Paris Tokyo & Kick Push tho. < That's his pocket. Thats where he touches people deep.. All the complex word play and poetry becomes as soulless as math if people don't connect with it. I also rap and appreciate your takes.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@zetsutsuletsu2034 thank you for your comment. You kept it real Lupe is great he strays away from that. But the soulless math comparison was on point. That’s how it felt playing his album. I felt nothing.

[@lilsip6969]

hey bro! Would you be interested in doing a reaction/review of my brand new NBA Jam 2000 mumble rap concept album? No worries if you rip it apart it's all good. Cheers man

[@CookingwiththeCritics]

Listen to Palaces on the new album and do a reaction

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@CookingwiththeCritics I remember that song. I love that beat and hook. His verses as much slower and I actually like that record. He should have came with that video first. It’s feels intimate. That’s where he will shine more vulnerability.

[@n23hsa1]

How tf do you not know Larry wheels 😂

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@n23hsa1 I’m 35 I haven’t listened to Lupe since about 20 years old…. I remember his homie gemstones. I liked his better… Them was the iPod days…

[@n23hsa1]

@@jghosttheconscious you don’t need to keep up with Lupe to know Larry wheels. All good tho have a good one

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@n23hsa1 I can’t even fit it in my brain. Got too much important stuff in there. After The Cool I was done

[@minddreams1]

Cole a star... plane as hell

[@jghosttheconscious]

I love J Cole met him a couple of times. Cool dude

[@deansama54]

Lower forms of intelligence always use terms like lyrical miracle

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@deansama54 Lupe not that smart….

[@matthewbonvillion8724]

So you never heard of righteous kung fu.

[@ProudlyNobody]

Crine. Amazing objective review.

[@iBEEnHEREtoo]

I fux with Lu, but bruh spent like 10 years worth of bars on The Mural. One 6 minute track.

[@DevinTillman]

most def do not agree with you,,,but you are funny bro.

[@Newlopw4]

Gats and brrrats - hotter than guns bruh

[@jghosttheconscious]

I know what gats is. A corny way to say firearm. 😭

[@Newlopw4]

@@jghosttheconscious you serious? Firearm? That doesn’t even go with the rhymes in the previous lines

[@jghosttheconscious]

@Newlopw4 I was given you an example. That’s how I felt when I heard him say gat. He could have said, gun, burner, stick, Mag, heat, but he chose gat. Gat is corny

[@KingQwari]

I lost all respect for Lupe when he said Kendrick stole his flow and that he could beat Daigo in Street Fighter just to get clowned. Only reason he'd say that about Drake is because he was salty and said that Kendrick is basically him with better timing. His twitter fingers made my listening ear turn couldn't separate the art from the artist this time.

[@Newlopw4]

He never said he stole his flow and Lupe did beat Daigo in street fighter lol

[@KingQwari]

@@Newlopw4 daigo was selling we all know that wasnt legit

[@tonyschimmoeller]

I don't recall him saying anything about Kendrick's flow. He did say he was copying him a bit though with the Kung fu Kenny when everybody knows Lupe a real martial artist. K dot also had the all black album cover announced like a month after Lupe dropped a potential cover art for Drogas Wave being all black. There was another time or two that Kendrick basically did the same thing as Lupe. I don't see it as copying personally but I can understand why the person going through it would.

[@cmoney-kd6xx]

It ain't got to be deep i guess.

[@jghosttheconscious]

He should rap how he talk in an interview. Maybe sprinkle the big words around. Maybe not us big word every bar. 😭

[@Aldridge517]

I believe the only person Lupe makes music for is himself. He doesn't need mass appeal, fame, or accolades because he's been wealthy for decades. But OG fans know, if Lupe ever decides he wants the top spot, good luck stopping him.

[@joeharrison4783]

Logic tries to move like Lupe because he's inspired by him and references him. This entire album is about Lupe's life starting out as a rapper with a double perspective with Amy battling. Nobody secretly raps from 2 sides at once. He's just too deep for you and you diss on that. There's easier songs on this album too. Also, Yokozuna isn't a anime thing, it's top rank for Sumo sport. Don't hate on culture, look at the world.

[@jghosttheconscious]

I love your comment. I can tell it came from a real place. Appreciate it bro….

[@joeharrison4783]

@jghosttheconscious appreciate the appreciation. Don't be calling anime childish. You sound like my dad and it makes you sound old. There's something in anime both for any age and any demographic, there's literally something up anybody's alley. I'm not telling you to go watch something great like attack on titan or mob psycho, but for there to be a skilled rapper out there who can sneak in anime bars, l, as a anime fan, am here for it. Megan did a song recently with some anime bars too, it's too bad she's a shitty rapper so I didn't like the song. Lu can work his references into the context of both the song and his life. I'd recommend cake, as the metaphors and schemes are a little more on the surface, but you won't like he has a Eminem-like flow. I like palaces, he slows it down there, sounds like king nas but a little easier to understand.

[@skyd6692]

The problem is the lyrics is good but the delivery is not seen by most. Myself included for example the bar: "Walk it like i talk it never false it/Fawcet like Farrah ?" That's dope !! but idk what it means. Lupe missed growth not doing features with these heavy hitters. It looks like a godcomplex. Sadly

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@skyd6692 I think it talking about he don’t lie. False it but it’s a lot he can say it in a much cooler way

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@skyd6692 he should of did more features

[@losadyos924]

lol you don’t know what your talking about

[@wh0_odat644]

Sooo your reviewing/criticizing a rapper you dont like? Smh

[@jghosttheconscious]

I like him but not everything about him. He criticize other rappers. I’m a rapper criticizing him. Same thing

[@SensitiveDreamer]

Bro said Lupe don't have style. Lupe was talking about goyard and other brands before it got hot. Lupe's literally was the first mainstream artist to start that skateboard rap. Im out of here

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@SensitiveDreamer talking about style and having style too different things.

[@losxdescabezados]

So, I don't mind when a rapper challenges the listener with big words or complex lyrics but, all the few Lupe songs I've heard just leaves me unsatisfied. He wants to be so lyrical that he ends up feeling like Logic to me: they both have potential and talent but just somehow miss the mark every time and it feels corny. All he wanna do is use big words and the rhymes are so basic like, "Spiritually, metaphorically In the city abhorrently Allegory with more to see Poopoo peepee" type shit. It's lame 😑

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@losxdescabezados we feel the same way. His bars don’t hold no weight. I keep giving the shit a listen and I feel nothing. I’m done with him… 😭

[@losxdescabezados]

@@jghosttheconscious he wants to be Aesop Rock so bad but, he just can't balance intelligence with swag or be relatable. Have you heard Aes before? He writes a coherent story or strings ideas together to anchor a song in reality, then he metaphors the shit out of it but still makes it completely relatable and human. Give him a listen if you don't know his stuff and start off with None Shall Pass or Rings to get eased in.

[@KBAyoutube]

His punchline puzzle too deep, and when you figure it out, it's not satisfying.

[@jghosttheconscious]

Yep dawg be doing too much…. Damn rap Olympics 😂

[@Newlopw4]

@@jghosttheconsciousif you want a more straightforward song, listen to Indio by Lupe. Came out last month.

[@lg6400]

Regular ain't good enough homie.

[@KBAyoutube]

He just saying what rhymes with a flow of a great rapper but just saying big random words that fit in. Even if the punchline don't connect.

[@jghosttheconscious]

Shit don’t be connecting smh 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@cmoney-kd6xx]

It do connect. It's just hard to connect the dots if you're not privy to the content he's rapping about. I got to listen to this with genius a window open.

[@KBAyoutube]

Too much deciphering needed, like you said. Delivery matters.

[@tonyschimmoeller]

This is basically you saying repeatedly you dont understand what hes saying. I think thats more about you than him. You seem to only be focused on flow and appearance aka surface level which is the complete opposite of what Lupe is about. He creates art that isn't meant to be understood or appreciated by everyone. Seems like you aint the one this art is made for.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@tonyschimmoeller most definitely not for me. I do not have the time to figure him out. I like reality raps…. He deep and when I figure parts out it’s not satisfying

[@tonyschimmoeller]

@jghosttheconscious That's fine. I'm not sure why you would try and listen to something more complex than your capabilities of comprehension. You said you listened to the cool, which was about a fantasy world he created about a character coming back from the dead. Not exactly reality, but he packaged it in a nice like disguise for you to think it was something else, though.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@tonyschimmoeller he wack as an artist I dislike him a lot. Corny ass nigga

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@tonyschimmoeller he is logic

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@tonyschimmoeller it actually been a min since. I played him. I played it cuz I was giving him another opportunity lol

[@big2star]

Dawg please look up the lyrics as you listen because your commentary is out of pocket 😂😂😂

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@big2star man Ima have too next review. Lupe is seriously deep. With a dictionary and thesaurus. 😭

[@cmoney-kd6xx]

Disagree with the fashion. Dot, drake, cole fashion is trash.

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@cmoney-kd6xx Lupe dress even worse Drake and Dot.

[@Michael-yf9ew]

Bruh. This is such a bad take. Want me to go into the reasons why? First, you kinda just outting yourself. This shit aint that deep. And you don't even know the backstory of Samurai. Like for real dude do your homework, maybe you'll get some subs soon. Good luck lol

[@jghosttheconscious]

@@Michael-yf9ew the whole idea is corny to me. It’s out of touch in my reality. I like simple with depth and layers.

[@BIGHEADSCIENCE-co8kk]

He trying to hard. Identity crisis. Are you a skater, a samurai, etc....

[@Newlopw4]

Why can’t he like multiple things? Are you only a one dimensional person?

[@jghosttheconscious]

Facts it’s like he running from his real truth. You from Chicago relate to them kids in the hood struggling. They can’t feel this shit.

[@BIGHEADSCIENCE-co8kk]

@@jghosttheconscious facsimile

[@lg6400]

Lu works the imaginations of the young that inspire to reach beyond the block. I'm from the same streets on the westside of Chicago and some kids just want to expand and be better than the foul shit at home.

[@BIGHEADSCIENCE-co8kk]

@@lg6400 I absolutely agree they shouldn't be bombarded with the negativity instead the illest pen can grasp the attention of both the scientists and the mindless wanna be steps. An MC that claims to be top their should exhibit and display these abilities often if not always ie Nas, Scar Face, Gza etc. Im saying stay in your Sci Fi fictitious lane if it suits you. Yet there is a war outside whether you want to mentally prepare for it or not. Find Mc's the talk, speak, drop seeds, with delivery and all the fire works you like. Love the convo never the less, we talking bars finally.

[@conradphillips5017]

He’s rapping a bunch of shit without any beginning and ending. This ain’t food and liquor or the cool. Bunch of rhyming without any purpose. He loses me.