Now Fiasco is further cementing the Windy City's reputation as a breeding ground for innovative hip-hop, with a new CD, Food and Liquor. Critic Will Hermes thinks it's one of the year's best. The cover of Lupe Fiasco's CD, a clear contender for hip-hop record of the year, shows the rapper floating through space with a boombox, a Nintendo DS, a ninja doll and a copy of the Koran that he got from his Dad — all things he considers essential. If achieving greatness in rap requires separating yourself from the pack of copycats, then Lupe Fiasco has made an impressive start.