RDAT: Outside NYC Semifinals – The Great White Hope vs. Black Excellence

Makkid Rap Debut Album Tournament,

RDAT Tournament – Game 4 – Outside NYC Bracket

No. 1 – Eminem – The Slim Shady LP vs. No. 4 – Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor

Rap music was born by those on the outside. Whether you believe it came from Queens or the South Bronx, it was birthed by those in the struggle; a New York City struggle meaning you could see the other side with clear eyes and it wasn’t far away.

The rich were right there, just a train ride away, walking around with all their luxury and excess while others were literally homeless at their feet. It was this everyday balance of culture, this craving for things you could see but never reach that laid the foundation for the music.

As it grew, the overall message may have changed, but the outside influence remains. It got more complex as many rappers took listeners inside their neighborhoods and described what they saw, what they felt was the only way they could escape.

Both Marshall Mathers and Wasalu Jaco listened to this and crafted a version of their own, showcasing their neighborhoods and the view from the outside. And while both are spitting a similar theme, the viewpoint is as different as the final product.

For Lupe Fiasco, that means taking listeners to a West Side Chicago housing project. But instead of focusing on the similar street hustle prevalent in any hood, this was from the perspective of a skateboarder. ‘Kick, Push’ was the first single, a chorus that describes the necessary action to move, one which Lupe does fluidly over an 8-bar loop as he describes growing up with a board.

If this wasn’t a clear sign that Fiasco was something different, then it was made obvious with the next single – ‘Daydreamin’ (featuring Jill Scott)’. First, his project building transforms into a giant robot as he looks out the window. Then, he mocks the industry’s portrayal of rappers before Jilly from Philly reminds everyone why she’s great.

This is a brief introduction into an album full of concept tracks unlike anything else, really. ‘The Instrumental (featuring Jonah Matranga)’, produced by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame, focuses on America’s addiction to television. ‘American Terrorist (featuring Matthew Santos)’ talks about how there are more terrorists already within our borders than anyone would like to consider, but the best is ‘He Say She Say’. A lyrical masterpiece with just one verse about an absent father, first ‘said’ by a mother and second ‘said’ with slight changes for the son.

Kids ask me if my daddy is sick of us
Cause you ain’t never pick me up
You see what my problem is?
That I don’t know where my poppa is
No positive male role model
To play football and build railroad models
It’s making a hole you’ve been digging it
Cause you ain’t been kicking it
Since I was old enough to hold bottles
Overall, it’s an eye-opening debut that didn’t need another rapper, nevertheless ‘Pressure’ features Jay-Z, who surprisingly is one of the executive producers on the album despite Lupe not being on Def Jam. According to Wikipedia, Mr. Carter “was impressed by Fiasco’s feature on Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky” and agreed to become the executive producer of the album.”
His verse on the aforementioned track is classic Hov, but it doesn’t fit within the overall feel of the album. In direct comparison, when Royce Da 5’9″ shows up on The Slim Shady LP, it’s like a hand in a glove. Albeit, judging by the overall feel and lyrical content of Eminem’s debut album, the glove is the same one found by Brentwood police officers after the death of Nicole Brown Simpson.
In fact, on ‘Role Model’ he admits to it, saying how he, Marcus Allen and Nicole where together when Ron Goldman knocked on the door. But there’s another line on that same song that speaks to the essence of this album.
Some people only see that I’m white, ignoring skill
‘Cause I stand out like a green hat wit a orange bill
Em’s album is an introduction to a part of America that is both proverbially and literally flown over by the mainstream. There is a large population of young white people that hear a track like ‘If I Had’ and have it speak directly to them when he complains about jobs starting at $5.50 an hour, working as a gas station clerk, using plastic silverware and other actions those on either coast associate with ‘white trash’.
Living in Metro Atlanta, I’ve always found it funny that people within this hub don’t realize that the world Eminem is talking about isn’t that far away. It’s the same world I witnessed first-hand while working in South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi and Missouri. It’s the way life is for millions and Mr. Mathers just gave them a voice. But it’s a voice that was likely to be ignored after Vanilla Ice and his one-hit wonder.
In 1990 , Wikipedia reports that ‘Ice Ice Baby’ became the first hip hop single to top the Billboard Hot 100. (‘Walk This Way’ by Run D.M.C. and Aerosmith only reached the Top 5.) But the ensuing backlash put an everlasting stink on any attempt by a Caucasian rapper. 3rd Bass, a New York City trio with two white MC’s, made a point to distance themselves from Ice, releasing ‘Pop Goes The Weasel’ in 1991.
It would be close to a decade before Eminem comes on the scene, but he still makes sure to follow suit on ‘Still Don’t Give a Fuck’ spitting, “I melt Vanilla Ice like silicone.” It’s just another line in a song full of insane boasts and drug abuse and violence that’s so excessive, it can’t be taken seriously. Who would enter a gun fight with a knife and still come out on top besides a fictional character?
If you’re willing to accept that fact, that the various boasts and actions detailed within his lyrics are fictional; then you’re left with a chance to view the artistry of the lyrics themselves. And quite frankly, Eminem is one of the best when it comes to lyrics.
So tell Saddam not to bother with making another bomb
‘Cause I’m crushing the whole world in my palm
I got your girl in my arm
And I’m armed with a firearm
So big my entire arm is a giant fire bomb
Buy your mom a shirt with a Slim Shady iron-on
And the pants to match (Here Momma try ’em on)
I get imaginative with a mouth full of adjectives
A brain full of adverbs and a box full of laxatives (Shittin’ on rappers)
 In the blink of an eye, Em goes from what I interpret as a Kids In The Hall reference to syllable-heavy vocabulary lesson. The entire album is full of examples like this and despite five skits, it never seems long. In fact, it’s over in just an hour leaving you wanting more. Food & Liquor lasts just over an hour, but the final track is a 12-minute ‘Outro’ where Lupe shouts out any and everyone who helped him get to this point.
As someone who attempted to do something similar with my final column for The Daily Free Press, I understand. But my attempt never made it to print and it shouldn’t have. The same can’t be said for Fiasco, who missed sticking the landing on an almost-perfect performance by 12 minutes.

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