“Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor is open for business,” exclaimed the Chicago-born MC shortly after he took the stage at the Metro last night. Lupe’s album had come out that day, but he almost didn’t make the show — he had lost his voice just hours before the show, and his right arm was freshly bandaged from extensive IV treatments he received earlier, presumably to fend off dehydration from a bout with the flu. But the 25-year-old found the strength to tear through nearly the entirety of his debut during a high-energy, 75-minute set.
The bookish rapper bounded across the stage like a flyweight boxer as he dissected an unraveling relationship on “He Say She Say” and busted out select Cab Calloway dance moves on a shimmering “Daydreamin’.” He even dedicated “Hurt Me Soul” to his recently deceased grandmother, his voice cracking and tears streaming down his face as he discussed her importance. His mother even emerged from the wings to offer encouragement, but by then Lupe had recovered his poise — as this show proved, this is one MC who keeps going, no matter what. [Report by Andy Downing]