It’s known that being involved with the music industry can take its toll on an individual. That’s why the release of Lupe Fiasco’s most recent mix tape, ‘Pharaoh Height’ was such a surprise.

Back in 2012 after some cyber ‘beef’ on twitter with fellow Chicago native Chief Keef, and after having difficulties with his record label, Lupe Fiasco announced he was retiring from music.

“This album [Lasers] will probably be my last… my heart is broken and I see no comfort further along this path only more pain. I cannot participate any longer in this…my first true love was literature so I will return to that…” Fiasco wrote.

The Pharaoh Height mix tape consist of six tracks with beats composed by J Dilla, The Robert Glasper Expermet, Flying Lotus, and for all you gamers, the trailer for Metal Gear Solis V:The Phantom Pain.

Fiasco goes back to the genesis of what the art of hip-hop truly is, a play on words. He kicks off the mix tape with the beat from the trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. On this track Fiasco reminds his fans and his critics of his lyrical mastery and verbal finesse.

This lyrical masterpiece comes to a conclusion with “Schemes” a parody of the hip hop classic ‘Children’s story’ by Slick Rick.

In comparison to the original, Lupe’s flow goes zero to one hundred real quick without missing a beat. He sticks to the story telling concept of the original song, with a hook that raps it all up in a nutshell:

“It’s never what it seem, everybody wana be seen on the cover of a magazine…

Everybody wana big dreams,

Everybody want bling bling …

Everybody wana be the king,

Everybody wana scheme, in a land of pyramid schemes.”

With the success that this mixed tape has had thus far, it is hard to recall the criticism Fiasco fans had for his previous album ‘Lasers’. Fiasco was well aware that many of his fans were not 100% in love with Lasers, so he released a statement recalling physical copies of his ‘Lasers’ album. The recall wasn’t due to quality issues, or to give fans a refund or an apology, but to destroy the albums that will be gathered using a laser on New Years Day 2016.

” The fact still remains that a lot of people really loved LASERS (me included) despite the popular myth that it’s one of the worst rap albums ever…” Fiasco wrote on Twitter.

Can the recall of the ‘Lasers’ album be a publicity stunt, or a teaser for a fourth coming album maybe some time next year? Many hope so. I just can’t call it.

Pharaoh Height brings something new to the table. For those who are hesitant to hear the new tracks, it’s a free mix tape, so don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself at mixtapemonkey.com.