Lupe Fiasco Returns With ‘DROGAS Light,’ Calls out Current State of Hip-Hop

Char Little

Lupe Fiasco announced in late 2016 that he would not release any more music. So to say that his new album, “DROGAS Light” is a highly anticipated one is definitely an understatement. With the release of “DROGAS Light,” the Chicago native has delivered in providing new, socially-conscious music that he believes is lacking in today’s society. Fiasco commits to his theme and public beliefs through the selection of his lyrics, as well as his use of the Japanese character for light as his album cover.

Fiasco doesn’t take long to attack today’s current state of music. He even incorporates lyrics from Kanye West and Jay Z’s hit track, “No Church In The Wild,” off of their 2011 album, “Watch The Throne.” In “Dopamine Lit,” Lupe asks, “What’s a non-believer to a preacher?”

The second song in the album “NGL,” features Ty Dolla $ign. He takes a jab at society once again, rapping about the reality of what could happen if marijuana is legalized,  unemployment and Wall Street. He also adds that it takes more than a “dope beat” to win in the game called rap later in the song.

He continues with a slower track in the third song “Promise,” where he addresses another message related to Kanye West. “I’m telling you Sway that I do have the answers. Just ask me a question, I’ll give you the truth,” said  Ty Dolla $ign. This brings up West’s iconic interview with radio and television personality, Sway, when he shouted, “You ain’t got the answers Sway.”

Considering the statements he has made on the album so far, it is only natural for him to have memorable lyrics in “Made in the USA,” featuring Bianca Sings. He mentions everything from the Ku Klux Klan and the Black Panther movement, though it’s not exactly clear if he’s taking subliminal shots at the current state of the country. This song isn’t necessarily new to fans, as Lupe has been performing it at shows for a while now.

The album continues with “Jump,” featuring Gizzle, “City of the Year,” featuring Rondo, “High,” featuring Simon Sayz and “Tranquillo,” featuring Rick Ross and Big K.R.I.T. In Lupe Fiasco’s opening verse, he lets listeners know about the vows he has made to himself. “No material possessions shall cloud my judgment. I will respect myself and wear serenity as my necklace. I will replace what I take and have tranquility as my breakfast. Shed a new light on a new path.” 

Rick Ross sticks close to his usual lyrics, while also addressing his bad childhood. Big K.R.I.T. raps about racial tensions in the nation. Ty Dolla $ign returns for “Kill,” along with Victoria Monet. Simon Sayz also makes another appearance on the album with “Law.” Lupe raps about a broken relationship in “Pick Up the Phone,” which features a  mainstream sounding chorus. It’s nothing like the techno/disco sounding follow up song, “It’s Not Design,” featuring Salim. “Wild Child” is up next featuring Jake Torrey with More Than My Heart and Rxmn. Interestingly enough, Salim’s last few tracks sound nothing like the beginning of the album. While the sound fails to tell a consistent story, the lyrics certainly do. This collaboration is certainly one for the books.

“DROGAS Light” is available Feb. 10 on Apple Music.