On this week's installment of 'Album of the Week' we feature Chicago native Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Food & Liquor. The album came after Lupe had released a couple mixtapes, making it that much more anticipated. The record features the Muslim MC battling the good and evil elements in everyday life throughout his tracks. Food & Liquor's sound is clearly influenced by the bombastic derring-do of Kanye West's Late Registration, the record on which Fiasco was famously introduced. Lupe pulls together an exceptional debut album packed with uniquely strong beats, deep messages, and Lupe’s trademark lyrical prowess.

- Kevin Sanchez