Playlist: Rapper Lupe Fiasco's 'Around My Way'

With all the problems hurting poor neighborhoods, 'freedom ain't free,' says rapper Lupe Fiasco. (Credit: By Brendon Thorne, Getty Images)

Our Pick of the Week is Lupe Fiasco's Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free). The Chicago rapper unleashes a litany of social ills that beset poor neighborhoods on this riveting single from Food & Liquor: The Great American Rap Album, Part 1.

THE PLAYLIST
10 intriguing tracks found during the week's listening:

Accidental Murderers, Nas featuring Rick Ross
Nas disdains shooters whose strays kill innocents on the streets on this harrowing track from Life Is Good.

My Life, Slaughterhouse featuring Cee Lo Green
Rap quartet of Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden and Crooked boasts about living large.

I Wish You Would, DJ Khaled
Kanye West and Rick Ross go hard on haters on this track from Khaled's upcoming Kiss the Ring.

New Day, Alicia Keys
Keys previews her upcoming fifth album with this uplifting athem produced by Swizz Beatz.

Sophisticated Lady, John Michael
Over a laid-back R&B groove, the singer/songwriter croons about how special his woman is.

Ain't Gonna Be Your Tattoo, Shemekia Copeland
Blues star lets man know she won't be played. Buddy Guy sits in on guitar on this track from her 33 1/3.

Gossip,Big Boi featuring UGK & Big K.R.I.T.
Over a bottom-heavy beat, Southern rappers go in on people talking reckless about their business.

Get It Started, Pitbull featuring Shakira
Dance floors will stay crowded whenever this percussive high-energy song is blaring from the sound system.

I'd Be Lying, Ayo
Nigerian singer/songwriter Ayo Olatunji delivers a silky smooth ballad that is from his upcoming Isolation mix tape.

Turn Up, Jadakiss featuring Wale & Future
The rappers trade boasts about their successes on this energetic collaboration from Jada's Consignment mix tape.