Award winning hip-popper Lupe s second album must surely cement his reputation as part of the vanguard of hip-hop s next generation. Building on the critical and commercial success of 2006 debut Food & Liquor, The Cool is brimming with radio-friendly Moto

Award winning hip-popper Lupe's second album must surely cement his reputation as part of the vanguard of hip-hop's next generation.

Building on the critical and commercial success of 2006 debut Food & Liquor, The Cool is brimming with radio-friendly Motown melodies which have been weaved through smooth, mid-tempo beats and anti-gun lyrics.

Lupe undoubtedly has an ear for pop - current single Superstar trails Kanye West in its smooth-as-butter production, catchy chorus and engaging lyrics. But he's still credible in hip-hop circles, can spit out lines at sub-machine gun speed when needed, and here offers a handful of cool hip-pop crossovers that earn Lupe his place in the hip-pop pantheon. 3/5