Lupe Fiasco: Live In Chicago EP

Download: Lupe Fiasco - "Superstar" (feat. Matthew Santos) from Live In Chicago EP
Download: Matthew Santos - "December Ghosts (Live)"

After stopping by Reckless Records to purchase Lupe Fiasco's just-released second album The Cool, I noticed that the album came with a bonus EP titled Live In Chicago. The three track set, which includes Cool highlights such as first single "Superstar", "Dumb It Down" and Food And Liquor classic "Kick, Push", was recorded in the Windy City, though the venue and time it was recorded is uncertain.

All three tracks on the EP are flawlessly executed and passionately performed. The breakdown of "Dumb It Down" is a hilarious highlight, particularly Lupe's reply when the mock record exec finishes explaining why the Chicago-based rapper should dumb down his music.

But to hear that, you have to go to your local record store and purchase Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. I'm not sure whether or not Live In Chicago is solely available at indie outlets, but you probably have the best shot of obtaining it when you shop at your locally-owned, friendly neighborhood record outlet.

Up top is an MP3 of extended live version of "Superstar" being performed live in Chicago by Lupe and fellow 1st and 15th colleague (and Chicago/Minneapolis artist) Matthew Santos.

Lupe Fiasco MySpace Page
Matthew Santos MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

PS - Happy Holidays! We won't be publishing again until the 26th, due to Christmas and seasonal fun in general. Thanks for reading.