Nicholas Maffei

Leisure

Critical Voices: K’naan, Country, God, Or The Girl

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar rap of the struggle in Compton, Nas and Jay-Z speak of their incredible journeys growing up with nothing in the streets of New York, and Rick Ross illustrates his rough life as a modern-day hustling gangster. But not one of these prolific artists can touch rapper K’naan’s intriguing past. The creator of Country, God, or the Girl hails from Mogadishu, Somalia, where he lived through a bloody civil war.

By Nicholas Maffei October 18, 2012

Leisure

Critical Voices: Lupe Fiasco, Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album

Lupe Fiasco has come a long way since his pop-rap days of “Touch the Sky” and “Superstar.” With a shift in focus towards social consciousness—and a new hairdo making him look like an older Chief Keefe—Mr. Fiasco has become a more aggressive and sophisticated hip-hop artist. This new style and attitude was first displayed in his mix tape Friend of the People, released last Thanksgiving. Friend was heavily criticized in a review on Pitchfork for being “sour, half-assed, and defensive,” and for failing to use “viable rap beats.” With his new album, Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album, all eyes were on Lupe to see if he addressed these faults.

By Nicholas Maffei September 27, 2012