"Go Go Gadget Flow" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released as the third track from his sophomore studio album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool (2007). Production was handled by Soundtrakk, and gives tribute to his hometown of Chicago. In the pre-chorus, he interpolates lyrics from his song "Don't Get It Twisted."
Fiasco explained to The Village Voice, "the song really came from the Go Go records in Chicago. In Chicago we say you're from 'The Go,' and so it's really my anthem for Chicago."[1]
Critical reception[]
Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop praised, "His ability to find and navigate unconventional pockets is placed on full display, as he sniffs them out with Bloodhound-esque efficacy. […] The Cool as a whole is filled with premium moments, but insofar as pure technical prowess, nothing compares to Lu's intensity on 'Go Go Gadget Flow.'"[2] RapReviews described it as a "surprising Twista-style bounce rap,"[3] while Sputnikmusic called it "metronomic brilliance".[4]
Zach Schonfeld of PopMatters named it a highlight, where it proved two things: his "rhyme flow has come miles" since "Touch the Sky," and that he's back in his game.[5] Pitchfork's Mark Pytlik described it as "virtuosic double-time" and "mostly just a lyrical flex."[6]
Personnel[]
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Craig Bauer – mixing
- Dave Pensado – enhanced recording
- Greg "G-Ball" Magers – recording
- James Auwarter – mixing assistance
- Jeff Breakey – Pro Tools editing
- Rudolph "Soundtrakk" Lopez – writing, production
- Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – lead vocals, writing
Cultural references[]
- Sega Genesis is a 16-bit video game console sold by Sega.
- Getty Images is a visual media company best known for selling stock photos online.
- Steve Urkel is a fictional character on the sitcom Family Matters.
- "Harlem" is a 1951 poem by Langston Hughes, which asks what happens to a dream deferred.
- Rage Against the Machine was an American rock band known for their anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, and revolutionary lyrics.
- Junya Watanabe is a Japanese fashion designer.
- Lacoste is a French designer sports fashion company founded in 1933.
- Isaac Asimov (c. January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. He was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
[Chorus]
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
[Verse 1]
I'm back, I'm back, I'm cool, I'm cool, Westside representative
All me, no ghost, no 16-bit like Sega Genesis
All G-Ball on the board, Soundtrakk
On the track, Gemini, on the job, Shayla G
On the G, Sarah Green, for the green, free Chilly
And I'm back on my thing for the listeners' ears
What you are about to-to witness is
Lu' new valuable album two, credit for the ghetto Getty images
[Pre-Chorus]
From the M-A-D-I-to-the-S-to-the-O-N
Potent, to get you open
Movin' like a n**** supposed to
Get the dough on the go with the flow that I'm holding
[Chorus]
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
[Verse 2]
Love, got the Windy City on my back
So I'm back on my grizzle like a bearskin rug
Plus I'm laying on the floor, blame it on the Go
Little rapper turn it out because I'm very plugged
I convert, I can work anywhere in the world
You can ask my brother Hugg
He'll concur that I'm serious with the words
To the man up above, thank you very much
That I got what I got and I'm at where I'm at
Like an "a" in a circle, with a pay, lil Urkel
What they say when they see lil G
From the F to the F with the amazing verbals
While they race in a circle like they racing a gerbil
I race in a circle like I'm racing a horse
I'm racing a Porsche, while they racing in place
They race in a cage, I race on a course
'Course, that case in the court did not defer the dream
I am still a raisin in the sun, raging against the machine
[Pre-Chorus]
From the M-A-D-I-to-the-S-to-the-O-N
Potent, to get you open
Movin' like a n**** supposed to
Get your dough on the go with the flow that I'm holding
[Chorus]
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
[Refrain]
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
[Bridge]
Hey, hey, don't hate on me
My tank on full, your tank on E
Look good on you, look great on me
'Cause I'ma go and never gonna S-T-O-P
Like hey, hey, don't hate on me
My tank on full, your tank on E
Look good on you, look great on me
'Cause I'ma go and never gonna S-T-O-P
[Verse 3]
Like hey, hey, I'm the boss, rock Junya Watanabe Lacoste
Beyond clean, in phenom jeans, little rap Isaac Asimov
I love my momma and the ramen that she raised me off
A '80s baby on fire like the safety off
Got my hood riding higher than some 28s
Off of everything I spoke like a 84
And they in love with him and I'm in love with them
And we'll never ride dubs again, no we won't
Trying to get Above the Rim
A little too short to dunk, so we donk
[Pre-Chorus]
From the M-A-D-I-to-the-S-to-the-O-N
Potent, to get you open
Movin' like a n**** supposed to
Get your dough on the go with the flow that I'm holding
[Chorus]
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
I got my go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go gadget flow
[Outro]
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, say now
I'm from the city in the Midwest
Best city in the whole wide-wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
City in the whole wide world, hey
References[]
- ↑ Dodero, Camille (December 10, 2007). "Interview: Lupe Fiasco". The Village Voice.
- ↑ Findlay, Mitch (December 19, 2019). "Lupe Fiasco Snapped on the Insane 'Go Go Gadget Flow'". HotNewHipHop.
- ↑ Juon, Steve (December 18, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco The Cool". RapReviews.
- ↑ de Sylvia, Dave (December 19, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco The Cool". Sputnikmusic.
- ↑ Schonfeld, Zach (January 7, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco Lupe Fiasco's the Cool". PopMatters.
- ↑ Pytlik, Mark (January 8, 2008). "The Cool by Lupe Fiasco". Pitchfork.
External links[]
- Go Go Gadget Flow on Apple Music
- Go Go Gadget Flow on YouTube
- Go Go Gadget Flow on SoundCloud
- Go Go Gadget Flow on Spotify
- Go Go Gadget Flow on Tidal
- Go Go Gadget Flow on TikTok
