Hailed as a rapper-cum-social commentator in the same vein as Mos Def or Common, Chicago-based rapper Lupe Fiasco's lyrics -- many of which address political and social issues -- often parallel his public comments that are just as outspoken and, occasionally, controversial. And now, with the release this week of Food & Liquor Vol. 2: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, the follow-up to his '06 debut, it's not only his song lyrics that are getting a close reading. Just days before the record's release, the artist took to Twitter proclaiming his decision not to vote in the upcoming elections, which (not unexpectedly) resulted in a barrage of criticism. Last night at his album release party, supported by Samsung Galaxy S III, we had the chance to talk with Fiasco about the new album and the new controversy -- and hear the real reason why the rapper says he won't be participating in the election.

Congratulations on your new album. What were some of the inspirations behind it or intentions for it?

I wanted it to be social commentary but also art. Rap is an art form -- it's an extension of poetry. The record is called 'The Great American Rap Album' so I chose to use America as the canvas or concept -- America as the inspiration. I talk about American culture, American politics, American society, American history, Americana, American food, American psychology, the American dream, the American nightmare.  That's one half of the project. The other half was just 'rappity-rap rap' -- songs about nothing for the sake of rap, just to express myself and show off my techniques a little bit, almost like expressionism. 

You've always been very outspoken about your beliefs, particularly about what's going on in this country. You recently drew some ire from fellow celebrities on Twitter when you said you weren't planning to vote in this election. Why not?

I've never been a voter. I always push to focus on the local political issues in your community -- or the local social issues -- and not just to rely on a politician or elected official to do what you can do for yourself.  Back during the turn-of-the-century, it wasn't about "elect me and I'm going to do this for you and you can just relax."  It was like, "No, I'm going to be an extension of your hard work." I think America as a whole -- not that we got lazy -- we just lost that kind of drive and determination and activism.  I'm more focused on the four years in-between elections than just that one day.  It's not [being] callous, it's not being unpatriotic or a lazy citizen or being anti-American or anything like that. I just feel that as an American, we should all do more and not just focus on the vote.

So then your choice to abstain from voting stems from a desire to be more active locally rather than because you don't like Obama, which you've also been vocal about?

I don't personally know [Obama] or anything so I don't have a grudge against him. I just know what he's done from what made [the news on] CNN or BBC.

People are like, "Because you're black, you should love everything about Obama." That's very classist. I don't feed into that. I can't control what people are going to think and I definitely can't control what people are going to say but I know my intentions and I know what I do and what I try to inspire my fans to do -- which is to try to be critical. I said on Stephen Colbert in front of 40 million people that you should criticize power even if you agree with it and even more so because you agree with it. Because those people are vouching for you and you vouch for those people.  You voted for those people and they're taking your trust and you put your faith in them so you should be on their ass, making sure that they're going to do what they said they'll do.  Patriotism and democracy is more about a critique than just blind agreement.

And how would you respond to critics who say you're setting a bad example to your fans?

I think people are reacting to a headline and [don't realize] I do all this other [local] stuff.  My fans already know that. They heard the freestyles back in 2005 where I [said], "I think you should vote locally." And at the same time, too, they're their own people. I'm just trying to be an inspiration and educate them to do certain things but I'm not trying to tell them what to do and tell them who to vote for or why to vote. I'm not trying to push any type of political agenda. I think [the media] gives me too much credit when it comes to that department.  [Fans] might buy what type of shoes I have on but I don't think they're necessarily gonna get political advice from me. I think they have their parents [for that].

Going back to what you mentioned earlier about being active locally, the first thing that comes to my mind is the violence that's been happening in your hometown -- in Chicago -- lately. What has been your reaction to that?

It's heartbreaking. I get contacted to come speak at different high schools and my foundation, the Lupe Fiasco Foundation, is based in Chicago so we do a lot of intervention things in different high schools and conflict management.  At the end of the day, you have to show people that you care. If you show those kids who are committing these acts that you actually care about them, then hopefully it will relay into their caring about someone else. If they don't see value in themselves, then they don't see value in anybody else.  That's part of the problem. You can try to crime-fight it like you're Batman, you can try and bring in the National Guard, which is what Mayor [Emanuel] wants to do but even through all of that, if [the kids] don't feel they're valuable, what's the point?

And, to end on a lighter note, are you a big Chicago sports fan?

I can't watch the Bulls because I get so anxious. It ruins the experience. I can't take it.

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