“They’re tryin’a graduate from school, Lu…”

I’m gonna keep it short.

I have this conversation with pretty much every hip-hop fan I ever meet. You know the one. The one about the state of the genre, the message it sends and the general deterioration of role-model image that it contributes to… Enter, once again, Lupe Fiasco.

His debut, Food & Liquor, was one of the best mainstream hip-hop albums of the past few years for sure. Not afraid to be honest, Lupe is a beacon of light in an otherwise dreary landscape. Now, he’s ready to hit us with the always important sophomore album… and from what I’ve heard, Lupe Fiasco’s: The Cool is the sickness.

And I mean the good kind of sickness. One of his tracks, “Dumb It Down” is a perfect response to everything our mainstream, MTV society asks for. Not to mention, Lupe’s skills are honestly among the best. Beat’s nasty too. Check it out.

MP3: Lupe Fiasco – “Dumb It Down” from The Cool

VIDEO: Lupe Fiasco – Dumb It Down”

PRE-ORDER IT NOW: iTunes | Atlantic

BONUS The Cool Tracks:

MP3: Lupe Fiasco – ‘The Coolest”

MP3: Lupe Fiasco – “Superstar”

Stream the entire Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool: MySpace