The Cool Multiverse

The Cool Multiverse is a fictional setting within the Michael Young History storyline. It introduces an alternate reality of the character, Michael Young, who is a demon that must decide the fate of the world. Conflicted between good and bad, Young's characterization in this universe has a chance for redemption.

Background

Michael Young, otherwise known as The Cool, was conceived by Fiasco for his Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (2006) album. "The Cool" narrates Young's demise, where he was a hustler who came back to life only to get robbed by the same people who killed him. His narrative serves as a tragic, common reminder of individuals who died "chasing the cool" lifestyle. It was likely drawn from Fiasco's personal experiences growing up in Chicago and witnessing gang banging, as well as hip hop's glorification of materialism, drugs, and violence. While these factors help build street credit and earn respect, ultimately they can lead to one's downfall such as poverty, substance use disorder, and death. The MYH concept was not told chronologically, and some tracks weren't created purposely for this storyline, but could fit. Fiasco noted how his concept only ran through five songs on his sophomore album abstractly, leading to some listeners finding it complicated to follow. "Pills" was also supposed to be on the record though didn't make it, serving as an introduction to The Streets and The Game. The Cool, The Streets, and The Game are described as "three evil angels," representing the ills of the world. The Streets and The Game are respectively personifications for allure to the street life and damaging influences, who take Michael Young in after the death of his father. Because he had no positive male role model, Young begins a path of self-destruction, finding solace in hustling. The supernatural elements include certain stylizations of the characters, like The Game having dice for eyes and blunts for arms. The Streets has dollar signs for eyes, and The Cool has a rotting hand (symbolizing his soul rotting). In addition, The Cool becomes a zombie, which Fiasco ties into his LongChains narrative on Drogas Wave (2018). Since Young has consumed alcohol, it turns him into an animated corpse whilst the LongChains, once enslaved, transform into supernatural beings who live underwater. This framing commentates on not only the duality of human nature, but salvation through death for the latter. After Young's funeral, death is not final, and he opens his own casket (though is robbed), which may symbolize his loss of humanity or, alternatively, the continuous cycle of violence. In a 2014 tweet he revealed of what he didn't mention in this plot, "It's a whole bloodline of Cools." This may have referred to his multiverse, or even reincarnations of The Cool.

In 2015, Fiasco shared the announcement of the sequel album, The Cool 2, slated to be released in Winter 2017. More characters would've been introduced, with three new character symbols. Rather than continuing The Cool storyline he previously established, he created an entirely new one. The Streets is omitted, and The Game acts like a final boss in a video game. In 2020, he uploaded the livestream video, "The Cool Wiki," which takes a comprehensive look at the multi-universe. According to legend, Death in his highest form, the Grim Reaper, was broken down into five pieces and taken into other dimension by various demons. They can only be given to the most corrupt of "new borns," otherwise known as "true demons," which grants them special powers. If one were to reassemble all of the pieces, they could call upon Big Death and either rule the world as a hell or create a heaven for all but be excluded from it. A piece was given to each character as follows: The Game (skull), Wild Man/Woman (left arm), The Cool (right arm), The Monk (right leg), and The Hacker/Business Magnate/Executive (left leg). The individual who collects all five of the pieces has the power to call upon "Big Death," given the choice to turn the world into heaven or hell. The Winemaker, who found an ancient alchemical recipe in his family that allows him to prevent ageing, wants to help one of them create a heaven, or a better alternative. He finds and mentors The Cool, who will be presented the choice of bringing to world to chaos or choosing heaven. If he chooses the latter, however, he will sacrifice himself.

Characters

• The Game - has the skull, which is the strongest piece. Along with being the most strategic, it contains all of the senses. He is a master of disguise and can speak many languages. He is crafty, planning years ahead.
• The Cool has the right arm. He is trained and guided by The Winemaker in order to have more control over the arm and use it for a greater purpose. He has a sister who he'll meet on his journey to collect all pieces.
• The Wild Man/Woman has the left arm. Referred to as "It," they lack guidance and control over the piece, rendering them incredibly reckless and hazardous. Devoid of humanity, they rampage indiscriminately, leaving destruction in their wake. Their actions are driven purely by primal instincts, devoid of morality, and act as a foil to The Cool.
• The Monk has the right leg. He amputated his leg and now uses a prosthetic in an attempt to reconnect with his humanity. He has fashioned the removed leg into a horn/cane that he keeps with him. As a Tibetan Bonebreaker, he performs the traditional Tibetan sky burial rituals. Highly intellectual, he rivals The Game in that respect, and possesses extensive knowledge of human anatomy from his occupation. The monk regained consciousness during his own cremation, the reason for his physical disfigurement. His story mirrors the fragmentation of Big Death and the scattering of body parts taken by different demons at the dawn of time.
• The Hacker/Tech Guy/Executive owns the left leg. Extremely corrupt, where he falls victim to the malevolent forces of the piece, he uses it to build a vast fortune through his company, SkullNet. He commands an extensive intelligence and information network, and specializes in developing advanced weapons systems and technologies for global militaries. A master of taekwondo, he also maintains numerous connections in black market dealings, exerting influence across various domains worldwide. He was cryogenically frozen upon his Little Death and was revived using his own technology. He has developed algorithm derived from magic spells which can be uploaded remotely into his bionic parts and weapons systems.
• The Winemaker/Chemist makes a unique vintage of wine that has the power of longevity to a certain degree. One key ingredient is a very rare human blood type that must age first, like grape juice for wine. In order to acquire it, he has connections to many funeral homes and mortuaries that send him the blood that was drained from the bodies during the embalming process. He is aware of the legend, "The Death of Death," and how close to the time of end of the world. He ends up mentoring The Cool in hopes of a better world.

Songs

• "Pills" An introduction to The Streets and The Game.
• "He Say She Say": Michael Young grows up without a father.
• "The Coolest": Young interacts with The Streets and The Game.
• "Put You on Game": The Game entices Young to the dark side.
• "Gotta Eat": Young lives the fast life, where he engages in personal vices.
• "The Die": The death of The Cool.
• "The Cool": Young dies and comes back to life.