Lupe Fiasco - Drill Music in Zion Album Review 

The Ghoti/Fish thing is a linguistic trick in how English words can be pronounced. Gh makes the F sound like in lauGH. O sounds like lowercase I in the word women, ti is pronounced as SH like in the word ignition. Fish

Lupe’s run since Tetsuo and Youth has been nothing short of incredible!! The fact that he did this album in 3 days and pulled it off exceptionally speaks to his genius.

EDIT: We just learned that the guy who created Drill Music was called Pac Man wtf bro... Fun Easter Eggs for the album that people caught: Ayesha says "Left,Left,Right Left". This is a command drill sergeants make to a group of soliders when marching. This is called "DRILL and Ceremony". KIOSK is in the middle of the mall / them all, middle of the album, transition starts in the middle too. MS.MURAL, the painting he talks about on the track is the album cover, when you look at it sideways you can see Pac Man, the Mural triology is named based on Pac Man naming conventions. NAOMI, the song is called like that because Lupe wanted to send some positive vibes to Naomi Osaka hence the "SO SWING"(Tennis Racket, also Jazz dance). Malcom X Scheme he mentions words with a X 10 times, X Roman Numeral = 10. There are certain verses with robotics/technology themes (ties to transformers AUTOBOTO), refrences to the third Matrix movie when they Drill into Zion. There is a whole deep dive about Pac Man on the album cover and the layers from it, Lupe was born in the same month as Pac Man released Feb 1982, a lot more on the subreddit if you interested. Lupe most accessible album (post T&Y) in terms of sound and lyrics but like always he manages to pack so much stuff into 10 songs, written(spoken) in 3 days...

"What's the difference between a posthumous album and a life insurance policy? Spotify."

He called it Ms. Mural because the whole Mural trilogy is a play off the Pac-Man trilogy. Pac-Man Pac-Man Jr. Ms. Pac-Man Also Pac-Man is on the cover as well as one of the interpretations.

Quite simply the greatest lyricist the game has ever seen. Others may be better in other areas, but no other rapper has these many bars, in such depth and across a the spectrum of subjects lupe does.

This album is a subtle masterpiece. I remember when Lupe said that this album is “his” Illmatic. And honestly I feel like it is. It gets better with each listen

I think the song title "Seattle" is a reference to the old NBA team Seattle SuperSonics. In the hook Nayirah sings about going supersonic.

The fact that Feefo keeps doing these reviews despite the borderline hostile environment he goes into every time he does is what makes him special to me. His first view on the album everyone is on him like the album didn't need a couple of listens to absorb what Lupe was doing. Only for everyone to say exactly the same thing, with half baked theories of what they thought what this line meant or admitting how they didn't even get the concepts of some songs as fully as they initially led on.

To me this album was flawless not a single skip I've had it on repeat since day one and it's been just amazing.

I love this album man. Lupe threw in so many deep cut references for the nerds. I smiled like a geek when I heard a JoJo's Bizarre Adventure bar 🤣

@19:55 There are 2 major gang alliances in Chicago: Folks and People. People are under the 5 point star, Folks are under the 6 point star. "On Foe nem" relates to 4 Corner Hustlers slang and is used the same way people would put something on god or their dead grandparents. These days you'll hear a lot of Folks affiliated gangs say this saying too (i never understood why though).

Lupe maybe my favorite rapper of all time.. I don’t think I‘ve hated a single album even “LASERS”…his mainstream Atlantic experiment.

Lupe is one of the best to do it, but still wildly under appreciated

MASTERPIECE. ALBUM OF THE YEAR. PERIOD.

He said on twitter that he wrote it from scratch and recorded it himself within the span of 72hrs

Nahh Lupe had 24 hours to find beats and write/record/make hooks. He live streamed making the first part of the Seattle, took about 90 minutes to write/record the first verse and then he closed off the stream. Obvs missed the 24 hour window and it went to 72 hours

I have been looking forward to hearing you guys’ opinion on what may be the album of the year.

Did y’all notice on Precious things that the entire song was about hand gestures and movements

In my opinion this is easily one of lupe’s best albums, amazing album

Listened to this twice for the first time yesterday. Man this is great. Definitely on par with Drogas Wave & T&Y plus the shorter length adds to the replay value for me

Feefo said “It feels like Lupe rapping over some beats” and I feel that so hard. Obviously there’s something at work here conceptually, but it’s also just somehow more... digestible? Idk, I’m real cool with this record. Lupe been on a tear here recently

I got Lupe as my best lyricist but I think that is too subjective.. I think hands down he is the best hip hop ARTIST with the concepts and angles and knowledge he puts in every single piece of work. DMIZ is simple but deep at the same time and I think many people are starting to see the greatness finally

Mural, Mural Jr, Ms Mural = The Family ( Father, Son and Mother)

Been patiently waiting for this review. So glad it is here.

I think the concept of this album is if Zion was our place/space where we as a ppl were more conscious (for lack of a better word), this album would be the version of drill music of that environment.

Been waiting for this, he actually didn’t write anything down it was all off top and he even went on insta to record part of Seattle, he’s an alien fr

I also loved the Castlevania reference as well. “You was Vampire Hunter D, Now you Alucard”

Also Adam and Eve Applebees and the snake verse on Ghoti. If you think about it the salesman in Kiosk could also be looked at as the snake for the garden of Eden trying to deceive. It had that manipulative, deceptive feel, sort of eerie.

Drill music in Zion also refers to the machines drilling down into Zion the last human city in the Matrix franchise...you know Lupe and his double triple quadruple entendres

Absolutely amazing album and a great review to match. I'm always astonished that DEHH is still only at 250k subs despite impacting the hip hop game so heavy over the past decade.

I've been waiting on this review Guys! Lupe actually talks about how he started painting and who inspired him to make his own album covers in the hot 97 interview. Lu also mentions the album name and concept were inspired by the Matrix. Lupe Fiasco is so talented, the fact he made this stellar album in three days shows how prolific he is. Yeah, it might not be as dense as his other releases but still esoteric compared to recent releases this year. Love the jazzy production by Soundtrakk.

LOL no. He didn't have anything prewritten. That's what makes it even more impressive. He wrote everything (in his head) during the 72 hours.

It’s amazing to see that after a decade, I started watching you all after the viral video of the Lasers review. And now I’m watching the Drill Music in Zion review. I put you guys in the same conversation as Rap Genius because I always get something different in terms of music perspective which is dope. Even I don’t agree ,I appreciate the views so salute to you guys for being consistent and Hip Hop front runners. A long time supporter!

I never hit the notification so fast I've been waiting for this one. Hopeful the squad liked it cause I think this album was flawless

With the albums, he's giving you a musical painting and an oil painting. He drew/painted the cover for Testuo & Youth, the cover for Drogas Wave, and Zion. So we have Mr Mural (first painting. Mural Jr (second painting), and Ms Mural (3rd painting). Man woman child, A family. He's released a family of related albums and paintings. This dude is Nuts ! ! !

The tying a man to a cape and to an ape is a reference to Friedrich Nietzsche concept of the “overman”. Lupe studies Nietzsche. I do too. That’s why I recognize it.

9/10, Lupe is one of the greatest to ever do it imo. The only album I have above this in 2022 is Sadistik x Kno - Bring Me Back When The World is Cured (and Alexisonfire - Otherness if I'm going all genres).

“ON FAUX NEM” is a double entendre. The first meaning is “on foe nem” (=on fo’ nem = on folks and them). The second meaning is hes calling these people fake or saying the concept of folks and them is fake since faux means fake in French. Otherwise theres no reason he’d spell foe like that

For Lupe finish the album in 3 days while using a $100 microphone and the verses was mostly spoken shows to tell you Lupe is up there with the best of the best in terms of lyricism, versatility, and penmanship. This album is a notch in his discography.

I love the review. This album didn't feel heavy at all and multilayered but there so many gems. It is still entertaining from intro to the end

"Pinky speaker thumb receiver how we used to call make" ended me

don't think i've ever anticipated a dehh review like this one. lupe is a brilliant mind, an imaginative writer, and a beautiful artist. can't express how much i've been playing this album and constantly looking forward to hearing it each time. dmiz is such a beautiful and layered work of art! and i'm sure i still have a lot to unpack. undoubtedly one of the greats. just a slight issue with the fascinating "on faux nem." i really feel he should've omitted "that's it, that's the verse," on verse one. saying "rappers die too much," and leaving it there... letting the beat ride (as the listener wonders what's happening), until the chorus, and the following verses, could have been more jarring and potent. but that's just it. what a masterpiece!

While the concepts are easy , Feefo is right, there is always way more to each song and lyric that requires extra attention. It's easy to get into his music , but there is always more that meets than eye

Kiosk is interesting because it could be about jewelery or it could be about buying a gun. Lupe is crazy with the extended metaphor tracks. Reminds me of Kick Push.

Like Common said “On the streets with the Foes and the Moes”. Foes or Folks is Gangster Disciples (I think), and the Moes would be the Blackstone Rangers (or Stones). Those are the 2 major rival Black gangs in Chicago, along with Vice Lords, 4 Corner Hustlers, etc. I moved from Chicago to LA 9 years ago, but this is what I remember, having being born, raised, and lived there my whole life.

Hey Myke. I think the song is called Ms. Mural because it's a little easter egg for us Lupe nerds. Mural (on Tetsuo & Youth), Mural Jr (Drogas), and Ms. Mural (DMIZ) follow the naming of the Pac-Man games. I think that is also why the album cover looks like Pac-Man, and why Lupe makes the Pac-Man sound on the hook of AUTOBOTO. Could be crazy, but that's what it seems to me.

Mural = Pac-Man Mural Jr = Pac-Man Jr Ms. Mural = Ms. Pac-Man

I was waiting on this review. I dropped an album this year, and DMIZ is my favorite album of the year so far. Chicago is providing a lot of quality content just in case people weren't aware. I appreciate the deep dive and diverse musical tastes of this group. I been watching for several years.

Another videogame centered line that was dope was the Vampire Hunter D now you Alucard bit. God I love Castlevania

Probably my favorite album of his. As much as I enjoy Drogas Wave' concept and execution but this one been on repeat all day every day.

It’s On “4NEM” like Chief Keef’s lastest album. Lupe changed it to “ON FAUX NEM” because he is saying he wants his friends to be goddamn liers e.g Faux stories.

Two of my top 5 current/all times Lupe Fiasco and Kendrick dropped their albums so I'm happy for this year. All I need is for Oddisee to drop a album this year

Thank you, for reminding me this dropped 🙏

Myke the Kid C Town back again!

I love when my favorite RU-vid Channel reviews my favorite rapper, Lupe is INSANE. Myke talking about Stonecrest Mall definitely took me back to living in Stone Mountain a few years back 😂. Also, I definitely agree that the title itself "Drill Music in Zion" has multiple meanings, I took it as Lupe making a reference to dead drill rappers still making music in Heaven(Zion), which kind of plays into the "life after death" themes in DROGAS Wave

He told you he was an observer on the first mural when he said he sits back and watches the world through eye holes in his oil paintings Also that Malcolm X verse is crazy! He started the verse by saying he wanted to pick up where Malcolm X left off and then he ends the verse by asking the listener to think about what Malcolm x stood for. He then answers with the stat wars reference with the x wing which was what the rebels used against the empire. The empire is likely a reference to the US, who Malcolm was outspokenly against. He brought it full circle!

"...Yall killin each other over this stuff, you know blood diamonds are real right..." -- Kiosk, Terry M.

I'm with Feefo for sure, probably overthinking this album, partially because it's such an easy smooth listen I haven't felt like diving into as hard as his other projects yet, but I will

I think in one of his Latest interviews, as far as the album title goes I think he's more literally describing the process of drilling music (rapidly producing) in Zion (which we know as a Matrix reference to the barren land the human survivors stayed in/fought for)

Man that ending track just gets to me. "Rappers die too much. That's it- that's the verse."

I like this seating arrangement! Great review. Album is 🔥

I was bumping this during my workout. I love this project. My goodness!

Ms. Mural is a great song. The comparison of the power dynamic between an artist and today's record label/fans to a painter and a patron in some Medieval or Reniassance era was excellent. I still need to understand the 2nd verse and if Lupe prefers the Catholic Church in the painter/patron analogy or today's capitalism for artists/record labels or thinks they're both bad.

"During an interview with Hot 97, Lupe confirmed that the title of the album and the imagery of the album cover were inspired by the film series The Matrix. In fact, in two of the saga’s chapter (Reloaded and Revolutions), the Sentinel army literally drill their way into Zion, the last human refuge available, which is placed deeply in the Earth’s underground."

Classic review in coming 🙏🏾🙏🏾

Just was wondering but did anyone think that the line he kicked at the end of the kiosk track where he says I’m Cool man , I got me a watch already is an Easter egg to The Cool album and track Gold Watch? That popped into my head when I first heard it.

Really dope album, I don't think it's his best work but I throughly enjoy it.

This is really great Thank you guys and big s/o to Lupe Fiasco what a artist, what a album ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This album is up there as one of Lupe’s best…I haven’t stopped playing it since it dropped…inspired to me do the same thing as an artist, but within a week. Lol.

23:22 he nailed it. That's gotta be the core of the album. That helped me understand so much

This album is incredible!

Lupe is the goat of lyricists.

"Rappers die too much that's it, that's the verse" Genius

Question: is Zion in the title, a potential reference for the matrix? Only pulled that reference out because of the idea of drilling down, mentioned in the first song, and the idea of pill music mentioned in the first song? Thought I would throw that out there. Overall, this is an awesome album listen to. 😊

The term "On Fo Nem" is referencing the gang Four corner hustlers from Chicago. Some confuse it with "folks" who are GDs

I listened to a bit of lupe but never really dug deep. Saw him live the other day blew me away then I listened to this new album absolutely fantastic!! And he did this shit in GarageBand 🤯🤯🤯

The album definitely bumps in the whip

Been waiting for this one. The album's 🔥🔥🔥 and now I await the next album. Dope that yall brothas universally liked it as well.

Been waiting for this! love y’all, y’all are killin it with the content!

I think Ken was spot on. Chicago is Zion in the album

I’m not from Chicago but I’ve heard Common, Kanye and Lupe refer to the Moes and the Faux. Also, the song is called Seattle because of the reference to supersonic in the beautifully sung hook. Great episode. This album will likely be on my top list at the end of the year.

Kiosk = Middle of the Mall = Middle of them all 🤯

The abbreviation DMIZ could be read as demise. Just today, after countless plays I put together the 'get all of the shoes (shoos) like a bot does' line on Drill Music In Zion and how it's about him making enough noise his neighbor wants him to go away before they end up calling the cops. brilliant how he tied the first half of the verse together right there after you start wondering why he's in a hot tub playing with boats lol

Lupe should’ve put that recent single “100 Chicagos” on this album. That’s a banger, but I guess it didn’t fit his “Garage Band” stipulation. Otherwise, this LP is cool, but could’ve been better. I’m now reminded of Common’s former attempt at making a Chicago-themed album called “Nobody’s Smiling”...

Wow. This is great. I hope this brings some light to mobile music making. It really is so easy to make a record these days in your own bedroom. Love y’all dehh

Lupe been running since mixtape lupe

Lupe said Drill Music In Zion also based on The Matrix movies where the machines drilled into Zion

In line with the KIOSK theory about record executives trying to lure in rappers could the diamonds not also represent the fronting and gang violence referenced in so many rap songs, like even if it’s not real they’re saying most people can’t tell and obviously ultimately it helps them sell the culture. A possible point being that all of that stuff has value (by selling records and a lifestyle) only because rappers continue to push it and buy into it encouraged because it ultimately helps the industry executives making money off of it. I’m not versed in Lupe but this discussion of that song made me look at it like that as a potential meaning that related to the albums theme.

Love seeing Beezy in that enthusiastic mood, adds so much more to the video

Album of the year easily!!

Thank you for the introspection gentlemen 🙏🏾🤜🏾🤝

Drill Music In Zion = army of Sentinels coming to destroy you in The Matrix...meaning - to me - that Lupe is saying this album is celebration music before our inevitable demise.

Like some of yall, I think initially I was overthinking it, because the general concept is easy to catch on this project. However, as folks in the comments show, Lupe still drills in a whole lot deeper into his theme.

Drill music in Zion has 2 meanings to me. Drill music is prevalent in his city of Chicago and when trying to reach the city of Zion like the matrix they needed drills to do it.

The ppl needs dead end . Original crew salute love ya'll 💯 always genuine breakdowns 🏆 🏆 🏅 🥈 🎖 🥉 Question: which channel is the best A.

Incredible album ... seriously, take the time to analyse this masterpiece of an album...to me this is his best album , which makes it a instant hip hop classic...

I don't know what's Feefo is talking about, Lupe has quite a few songs that are more high energy on Drogas Wave. Kingdom is one example, listen to the whole thing from top to bottom.

Ghoti is a creative respelling of the word fish, used to illustrate irregularities in English spelling and pronunciation

Been waiting for this one