The year after Chi-town South Sider Kanye West blind-sided pop music by freeing his inner torch singer on the critically acclaimed 808s & Heartbreaks, his West Side connection, Lupe Fiasco, let loose his inner punk rocker on the even more unpredictable In the Jaws of the Lords of Death (2010).
But, in jarring contrast to Ye’s clearly-branded production, Lupe’s guitar-grinding post-punk rock album was clandestinely released to the world wide web under the curiosity-sparking band name Japanese Cartoon.
For weeks after the singles, “Army” (2009) and “Heirplanes” (2010) dropped, which featured Lupe singing, and speaking, in a faux British brogue or “mockney” accent, the rapper from Chicago tried to pretend as though he had nothing to do with the music.