Lupe Fiasco’s second go-round, The Cool, features an interesting character that was introduced on Food & Liquor. The Cool is a character that was ushered in on the Kanye-produced track of the same name. His last statement on the aforementioned song, “Hustler for death, no heaven for a gangster” left people wondering what happened afterwards. So, Lupe decided to expand on the story. He also built some additional characters around him, including The Game (not you, JT), Michael Young, and The Streets. Child Rebel Soldier has the breakdown of all the characters:
Michael Young History
Born: March 2006
Birthplace: Every Hood, USABiography: Since his early childhood days, Michael Young History was conflicted. Raised by a single, hard-working mother, History never really knew his father, a man who abandoned both History and his baby sister. This lack of paternal guidance turned an otherwise intelligent, promising boy into a drug-selling, money-grubbing Scarface-wannabe. Starting off as merely a petty crook, History’s torrid affair with his mentor’s (Game) wife, The Streets, sent him on a downward spiral of greed, deception, and, ultimately, death.
Cool Point
- An unabashed atheist, History anointed his own “holy trinity”—himself, Streets and The Cool.The Cool
Resurrected: Amongst the undead since September 2006
Birthplace: Six feet under the Earth’s surfaceBiography: The Cool is the physical manifestation of History’s debt to humanity. Payback for every user abused and every family torn apart by History, The Cool walks amongst the living as a zombie. “He” – that term used lightly, considering The Cool isn’t human – reeks of death, an ironic contrast to his polished three-piece-suit appearance. Searching for his purpose, The Cool haunts The Streets.
Cool Points
- His only possessions—two diamond earrings, a gold chain, and a letter from History’s eight-year-old sister.
- Despite the long-finished settling of rigor mortis, the sharp sensation of three bullets constantly causes aching in The Cool.
- Only one thought plays in his head like a broken record – “Hustler for death, no heaven for a gangster.”
In case you missed it, Michael Young is raised by The Streets and grows up to be The Cool. Damn, sitting here dissecting this stuff makes me feel like a nerd.
Go read the rest at Child Rebel Soldier.
