The Cool
by Lupe Fiasco
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 270 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 247 out of 270
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 270
  3. Negative: 20 out of 270

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  1. Codeling
    Sep 8, 2021
    9
    It's a fantastic album. So many cool tracks like Hip-Hop Saved My Life, Put You on Game, Hi-Definition and others.
  2. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  3. Jensen67
    May 25, 2017
    9
    Another incredible album from Lupe Fiasco. This album just pieces together so brilliantly and is extremely well executed.

    Best songs: Streets On Fire / Hi-Definition / Dumb It Down
  4. beauferris
    Feb 13, 2017
    10
    Greatest concept album of all time.Makes you feel like you are watching a movie from start to finish. With cinematic songs like "Hello goodbye" and "little weapon". Highly underrated.
  5. Shady313
    Mar 22, 2015
    10
    10/10 ................................................................................................................................................
  6. MyNamesCody
    Aug 12, 2014
    10
    One of the most underrated hip hop albums of our time. This album is incredibly introspective and deserves WAY better reviews from critics...When this album first came out me and my brother listened to it for MONTHS...I recommend this album to anyone who wants an incredible concept album
  7. simonsays
    Jun 14, 2013
    8
    So great. This album's got a lot of depth and is surprisingly entertaining throughout its fairly long tracklist. Pretty much every track is memorable and intelligent
  8. tehMoerz
    Jun 8, 2013
    10
    The Cool was truly the highlight of Lupe's career. It's amazing how this album was followed by an awful Lasers. Even with radio hits like "Superstar." There was still meaning behind his songs. Not to mention "Dumb it Down," which is considered one of the most lyrically deep Rap songs of all time.
  9. thugnificent2
    Mar 31, 2013
    10
    this album is lupe at his best. the beats are from many producers and each one delivers. lupes flow is also incredible. he can rap very fast and still sound out every syllable perfectly. this album is outstanding, get it
  10. dijavantewow
    Oct 17, 2010
    10
    Love Lupe. Gotta start with that it's a shame that Lasers is still not out, and it won't be out for like 5 more months. This album has great hip hop and rap on it. Lupe is a great lyricist, and hopefully he doesn't leave that mentality.
  11. MyNameIsNobody
    Aug 20, 2010
    8
    A brilliant album that can only be faulted in that it sounds too self-important. Lupe tries to save the world on nearly every track, covering broad issues like power, greed, disease, war, and poverty -- with all the passive-aggressive finger wagging of a university Cultural Studies professor. The production is catchy and tailored to a pop audience, but Lupe's intelligent rhymes andA brilliant album that can only be faulted in that it sounds too self-important. Lupe tries to save the world on nearly every track, covering broad issues like power, greed, disease, war, and poverty -- with all the passive-aggressive finger wagging of a university Cultural Studies professor. The production is catchy and tailored to a pop audience, but Lupe's intelligent rhymes and well-developed flow place this album in the area between the streets and mainstream.… Expand
  12. AC
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    A great 2nd album by the best rapper on the planet. "The Cool" is every bit as good as his first album "Food & Liquor". This is truly a must buy for any true music fan.
  13. DW
    Dec 25, 2008
    10
    Perfect followup to an almost-perfect food&liquor.
  14. CodyD.
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    This is the best hip hop cd ever. Im surprised by this only 77 out of 100. We clearly more intelligent people reviewing hip hop music.
  15. UrbanoS.
    Jun 25, 2008
    9
    The album is truly spectacular and full of originality. Would've been perfect if not for the negativity caused by a tragedy in the artist's life.
  16. CodruS.
    May 5, 2008
    10
    of course you don't like him... stupid monkeys. try to think beyond his muslim origins. he has more talent then all the bitches out there but you don't like him because he is too god, you don't understand what he's saying, you don't like him because he isn't singing bout how he got rich killing this, stealing that... bout hookers that all love him and stuff of course you don't like him... stupid monkeys. try to think beyond his muslim origins. he has more talent then all the bitches out there but you don't like him because he is too god, you don't understand what he's saying, you don't like him because he isn't singing bout how he got rich killing this, stealing that... bout hookers that all love him and stuff he's a decent guy with TALENT. i betcha half of you didn't even REALLY heard this album.… Expand
  17. GeneralD
    May 3, 2008
    10
    Lupe is just spitting the truth. I can't see how some critics gave it under a 9.
  18. VicT.
    Apr 6, 2008
    10
    Man this is amazing.
  19. JohnnyV.
    Mar 22, 2008
    10
    This album is hands down the best of 07 and probaly 08, i mean shit he has more lyrical talent then al these fake ass rappers tryin to make up dances no one can even hold a light to him, lupe brings back what real hip hop is and what it was meant to be about.
  20. ZachT.
    Mar 21, 2008
    10
    Lupe Fiasco is a lyrical madman. This album is amazing.
  21. RashadS.
    Feb 25, 2008
    10
    Let me start off by giving you my taste in music. I loved jay-z's "American Gangsta" and Scarface's "Made" and this by far blows both away!
  22. MilanD.
    Feb 24, 2008
    10
    Finally!!! Someone not just talking about diamonds, girls and rims.
  23. ChrisT.
    Feb 21, 2008
    10
    I'm not a big fan of rap or hip hop but this is one of the best albums i have ever heard
  24. w00t
    Feb 21, 2008
    9
    I'm a a rocker and I don't listen to a lot of rap but I thought this album was really good.
  25. TomK.
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    An absolute masterpiece.
  26. IsaacL.
    Feb 19, 2008
    9
    A great album, although Superstar is the clear stand-out track. Lyrically he is out of Kanye's league, and I particularly admire his morals in Little Weapon and Gold Watch. However I feel it tails off disappointingly towards the end.
  27. KevinJ.
    Feb 15, 2008
    10
    I love every part of this album.
  28. J.JC
    Feb 13, 2008
    10
    This is no soldja-boy.
  29. Jasonk.
    Feb 10, 2008
    10
    Perhaps my favorite album of all time. This is hip hop at its best! Thank you lupe!
  30. MiguelJ.
    Feb 10, 2008
    0
    This is dog crap.
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2007
33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Even considering the over-abundance of elaboration on all fronts, it's a credit to Lupe that he has made an album that cannot be processed after one or two listens, and if you have the time, its inscrutability turns into mere complexity.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It turns out randomness makes for a surprisingly unifying concept.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    90
    Lupe Fiasco and his producers--mostly Soundtrakk--have clarified the lyrics and brought out the hooks. The result is a three-act allegory that’s also one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »