Lupe Fiasco

Want to know who the real winner is in the whole "Kanye/50 Cent new release smackdown of 2007? Lupe Fiasco. While "Dumb It Down" (the B-side) isn't quite as striking, "Superstar," the first single off his upcoming second album, has evocative beats, a carefully crafted and impeccably rhymed narrative and Lupe's gasping, pensive flow -- none of which is a surprise coming from the emcee behind one of 2006's most beautiful hip-hop tracks. Actually, this tune makes us want to go listen to Food and Liquor all over again while we wait (OK, a little breathlessly) for his new album.