Touch the Sky is an official promotional mixtape by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, hosted and mixed by DJ E.Nyce. It was released on May 5, 2006, for $4.99 on MixUnit.com, compiling unreleased songs and freestyles.[1] Because of Food & Liquor being leaked to the internet, the project served as a prelude to hold fans over as he went in the booth to re-record his debut.[2] The mixtape features guest appearances from Kanye West, Ghostface Killah, Mike Shinoda, and 1st & 15th artists Gemini and Shayla G.
Description[]
Obsessed with fresh skateboards and unconcerned about what other emcees are about, Lupe Fiasco is on the leading frontier of hip-hop's progressive new school. Representing Chicago's West Side, the 24-year-old has been hailed a leader of the new generation of conscious rappers unconcerned with guns, gangs and its empty glamorization.
You were likely first introduced to Lupe Fiasco upon hearing Just Blaze's addictive manipulation of Curtis Mayfield's horns from "Move On Up." Asked by Kanye West to anchor "Touch the Sky" (from Ye's multi-platinum Late Registration), the Windy City's premier young rapper has since become one of the most young, buzzworthy emcees in hip-hop. This CD was the official underground prelude to his debut album Food & Liquor, featuring the best freestyles from his First & 15th series of underground compilations and a bunch of new/exclusive freestyles.
With a "peachfuzz buzz, but beard on the verge," Lupe is kicking and pushing his way to the top of hip-hop circles with clever lyrics, a skate-infused hip-hop style and a slew of co-signing hip-hop heavyweights that includes Kanye, Jay-Z, Ghostface, Pharrell and others. With Lupe already locking up deals for his own label (1st & 15th) and his own design/streetwear company (Righteous Kung Fu), the Sky is the limit for Lupe.
Critical reception[]
Mark Abraham of Cokemachineglow gave enthusiastic praise for the project, highlighting the emcee's lyricism and versatility. He observed, "most refreshingly, the problematic sexism and homophobia that regularly complicate my love of hip hop are basically absent."[3] Steve "Flash" Juon from RapReviews expressed anticipation for Fiasco's upcoming album, noting that the mixtape offered glimpses of what is to come. He added, "What constantly amazes me is how Lupe interweaves his lines together from one bar to the next, letting one metaphor or punchline be the set up for the next."[4] HipHopDX also agreed, underlining the mixtape's role in building anticipation and showcasing his talent.[5]
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 0:36 |
| 2. | "Hustlaz" | 3:39 |
| 3. | "Twilight Zone" | 4:21 |
| 4. | "Absolutely Fiasco" | 2:04 |
| 5. | "Kick, Push" | 4:10 |
| 6. | "Conflict Diamonds" | 3:41 |
| 7. | "Touch the Sky" (featuring Kanye West) |
3:41 |
| 8. | "Lupe Talks to the People" | 0:47 |
| 9. | "1st & 15th Is Back" | 2:28 |
| 10. | "Lu Myself" | 2:41 |
| 11. | "Tilted Pt. 3" | 3:49 |
| 12. | "Switch Science Project" | 1:35 |
| 13. | "Spray Paint" (featuring Ghostface and Mike Shinoda) |
3:48 |
| 14. | "Outty 5000" | 1:57 |
| 15. | "Lupe New York Love (Interlude)" | 1:04 |
| 16. | "Dead Presidents Resurrected" | 2:31 |
| 17. | "Ignorant Shit (Freestyle)" | 2:52 |
| 18. | "Happy Industries" | 2:48 |
| 19. | "Lupe the Killer" | 4:13 |
| 20. | "The Gorilla" | 2:01 |
| 21. | "Lupe Exclusive Sneaker (Interlude)" | 0:39 |
| 22. | "Southside" (Performed by Gemini) |
3:36 |
| 23. | "What You Talkin' About" (Performed by Shayla G) |
3:44 |
| 24. | "The Pen and the Needlz" | 3:49 |
| 25. | "Dear Fall" | 2:52 |
| 26. | "Failure" | 2:17 |
| 27. | "Jedi Mind Tricks" | 1:28 |
| 28. | "MC Fly" | 1:53 |
| 29. | "Lupe Outro" | 1:26 |
References[]
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco Touches the Sky". HipHopDX. May 18, 2006.
- ↑ "Touch The Sky | Lupe Fiasco Mixtape". MixUnit.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2006.
- ↑ Abraham, Mark (June 2, 2006). "Lupe Fiasco and DJ E Nyce". Cokemachineglow.
- ↑ Juon, Steve (June 27, 2006). "Lupe Fiasco :: Touch the Sky :: MixUnit.com". RapReviews.
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco & DJ E-Nyce - Touch the Sky". HipHopDX. July 9, 2006.
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