We’re going back to 2006 on this debate. This is the year Lupe Fiasco and The Game’s Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor and Doctor’s Advocate, respectively, saw the light of the day. One may say: these two albums are from different parts of the spectrum. It could be comparing apples to oranges. However, at the end of the day apples and oranges are both fruit. And in regards to the debate topic, they are both Hip Hop albums and worthy of a conversation. So, let’s chop it up…
Lupe released his debut, Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor on September 19. It was an unique album considering the time it dropped. Lupe is from Chicago and could have easily created an album that centers around his hometown’s high crime rate. However, Lupe took a more diverse approach. He was almost like the second coming A Tribe Called Quest.
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The first single, “Kick, Push,” was a nod to the skateboard culture.
“And so he kick, push, kick, push,” Lupe spits. “Kick, push, kick, push; coast…/And away he rolled/Just a rebel to the world with no place to go. “
“Kick, Push” was nominated for a Grammy Awards in two categories; Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song.
In “American Terrorist,” he let us know who’s the real terrorist in the U.S.
“We came through the storm, nooses on our necks, and a smallpox blanket to keep us warm. On a 747 on the Pentagon lawn, wake up, the alarm clock is connected to a bomb.”
Lupe showed Hip Hop listeners that he can rap with the best of them in the Jay-Z-featured, “Pressure.”
After his standout verse on Kanye West’s Late Registration cut, “Touch the Sky,” a dope debut from Lupe was inevitable. That’s why I wasn’t surprised it debuted at number 8 on Billboards 200 and earned him three Grammy nominations.
Game’s Doctor’s Advocate came two months later (November 14). He was coming off a successful debut, The Documentary, which was released through Aftermath/G-Unit. However, the key people that were involved with his first project — such as 50 Cent and Dr. Dre — wasn’t along for the second ride. But that didn’t stop anything.
Like Game’s first effort, he documented the lifestyle of a West Coast blood growing up in South Central. Again, you could hear West and East Coast influences throughout the album. But this time, he had a chip on his shoulder.
“I was the Aftermath remedy ’til friends turned enemies,” Game spits on “Da Shit.” “Streets kept me laced like blunts dipped in Hennessy.”
“It’s Okay (One Blood),” featuring Junior Reid, was the first single. It was additional proof that this wasn’t your typical sophomore album.
“I’m the doctor’s advocate, n***a Dre shot ya/Brought me back from the dead, that’s why they call him the doctor/The ‘Math gone drop’em, if 50 ain’t rockin’ with him no more/It’s okay, I get it poppin’.”
Game kept the West Coast cockiness going in tracks like “Let’s Ride” and “Too Much.”
After departing from Dre and Fif, many counted Game out. This was the counter-punch to all his skeptics.
Doctor’s Advocate debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200. It was certified 3X Platinum.
We have two albums — Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor and Doctor’s Advocate — which again, are from two different parts of the spectrum, but are bangers. Which one are you rockin’ with?
Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor’ or The Game’s ‘Doctor’s Advocate’?
Polls Are Closed!!
The Game – Doctor’s Advocate – Unanimously
Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor – 0%