Pitchfork

Lupe Fiasco contemplates the nature of modern celebrity culture on "Superstar", the first proper single from his forthcoming sophomore album The Cool. More serious and brooding, if less witty, than preceding "street" single "Dumb It Down", and with a more melodic hook, "Superstar" looks at what we expect of stars in the TMZ age: "If you are what you say you are, a superstar/ Have no fear, the camera's here," sings Minneapolis-born, Chicago-based guest Matthew Santos. There's some audience applause and a jittery beat, and some decent wordplay for Fiasco. Of course he couldn't rap about skateboards forever, and this isn't Mike Skinner's (still better-than-advertised) The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living. But Lupe's not a superstar yet, is he?

Stream:> Lupe Fiasco [ft. Matthew Santos]: "Superstar" (Windows) (Real)
[from The Cool; due 12/18/07 on 1st & 15th/Atlantic]