The album's concept revolves around the idea of Amy Winehouse as a battle rapper. Lupe Fiasco was inspired by a quote from the 2015 documentary "Amy," where Winehouse mentioned her affinity for battle raps
Lupe Fiasco, whose real name is Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, was born on February 16, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the West Side neighborhood of Chicago, where he was exposed to both the tough realities of inner-city life and the vibrant hip hop culture that would later shape his career.
Lupe began rapping at a young age and joined a group called Da Pak. He later caught the attention of Jay-Z, who signed him to Atlantic Records through his 1st & 15th Productions imprint. This led to the release of his debut album.
Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. Blending intricate wordplay with socially conscious themes, addressing issues like poverty, violence, and religion. Standout tracks include "Kick, Push," which narrates the life of a skateboarder, and "Daydreamin'," featuring Jill Scott, which won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. The album showcased Lupe's complex lyricism, unique storytelling ability, and his knack for blending social commentary with personal narratives
Billboard.......The reason behind the whole 'The Cool' concept is because I miss my father, Stack Bundles, my auntie and Chill. I found solace in the miracle in itself and it came out in 'The Cool.' I wish the shit was true.
Following the success of his debut album, Lupe released The Cool in 2007, which further solidified his reputation as one of hip hop's most talented songwriter. The album included singles like "Superstar" and "Hip Hop Saved My Life." The Cool received widespread critical acclaim and contributed to Lupe's growing fan base.
Lupe continued to release albums that showcased his versatility and willingness to tackle complex subjects. Lasers (2011), despite mixed reviews, featured commercially successful singles like "The Show Goes On." Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 (2012) and Tetsuo & Youth (2015) were well-received by critics and fans alike, highlighting Lupe's continued growth as an artist.
Complex.....“One thing I try to stress about this project is, I love and hate this album(Lasers). I listen to it and I’ll like some of the songs. But when I think about what it took to actually get the record together and everything that I went through on this record—which is something I can’t separate—I hate this album. A lot of the songs that are on the album, I’m kinda neutral to. Not that I don’t like them, or that I hate them, it’s just I know the process that went behind it. I know the sneaky business deal that went down behind this song, or the artist or singer or songwriter who wrote this hook and didn’t want to give me this song in the first place. So when I have that kind of knowledge behind it, I’m just kind of neutral to it like, ‘Another day, another dollar.’ As opposed something like The Cool, which is more of my own blood, sweat, and tears, and my own control. With this record, I’m little bit more neutral as to the love for the record.
Refinery29.....You named this album Food & Liquor II, after your debut album Food & Liquor. What was the significance of that?
"There wasn't really a thought process; it wasn't actually too thought out. It was just something I thought sounded like nice — just the way you put flowers in your house, you just think it feels nice. But, the core of that [debut] album was food and liquor, which means the good and the bad, human nature and duality, where we do good things and then we do terrible things. So, it's [the new album] still impressing that point, but the core of it is The Great American Rap Album. That was the real concept and the meat of it."
Verde Magazine.....“It’s an interesting album( Tetsuo & Youth (2015) because it’s a transition,” continued Lupe as he imparted how his diminishing presence in pop culture has had an impact on his newest hip-hop record. “I’m not as relevant as I was before … I think I had my peak and now I am coming down in relevancy. It’s not a sad thing for me. I don’t want to be relevant today. I don’t want to be the go-to guy for the club song or to speak on all the dumb s*** that’s going around. I’m happy being that somewhat sophisticated, overly deep, weird guy making powerful music.”
"Drogas Light" serves as the first installment in a trilogy. The album blends commercial tracks with more introspective pieces, reflecting Lupe's diverse artistic influences. While it received mixed reviews, songs like "Jump," featuring Gizzle, and "Tranquillo," featuring Rick Ross and Big K.R.I.T., showcase Lupe's ability to blend different styles and messages.
The second part of the trilogy, "Drogas Wave," is an ambitious double album exploring themes of African diaspora, slavery, and liberation. The album telling the story of "LongChains," a group of slaves who survive being thrown overboard during the Middle Passage and live underwater to help free other slaves. Tracks like "Manilla" and "WAV Files" exemplify Lupe's narrative skills and his commitment to shedding light on historical and cultural issues.
Released as a collaborative EP with Kaelin Ellis, "HOUSE" showcases Lupe's adaptability and willingness to experiment. The project, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, features a mix of introspective and topical tracks, such as "Shoes," a tribute to Ahmaud Arbery, and "Dinosaurs," where Lupe muses on the extinction of the ancient creatures.
Lupe Fiasco's latest album, "Drill Music in Zion," sees him continue to push the boundaries of his art. The album blends social commentary with personal reflection, touching on themes like systemic oppression, resilience, and the power of music. Lupe's lyrical prowess and innovative production shine through, solidifying his place as a thought leader in hip-hop.
Hot New Hiphop........"The best definition of the title was actually from my sister," said Lupe. "My sister does the opening record on the album, Ayesha Jaco. "There’s a scene from Matrix 2 where they’re in Zion, so everybody knows the name of the little sanctuary where the humans were able to live in the Matrix movie is Zion," he explained. "That place is a sanctuary away from all the agents and other stuff. But there’s a scene in there and the whole arc of the movie the robots have found a way to drill down in Zion. So they finally found it and maybe it’s Matrix 2 there’s a scene where they’re all standing in Zion and it’s all quiet then all of a sudden you see pieces of the ceiling fall and it’s this whole epic scene. So that one scene in the film became the whole inspiration from the joint."
Lupe Fiasco's newest album, **"Samurai,"** was released on June 28, 2024. This album marks his ninth studio release and is a concept album inspired by the late neo-soul singer Amy Winehouse. The production was handled entirely by his longtime collaborator, Soundtrakk.
The album's concept revolves around the idea of Amy Winehouse as a battle rapper. Lupe Fiasco was inspired by a quote from the 2015 documentary "Amy," where Winehouse mentioned her affinity for battle raps. This unique concept allowed Fiasco to explore themes of struggle and resilience within the music industry, imagining Winehouse in various roles, from a battle rapper to an opera singer.
"Samurai" features eight tracks, making it a concise yet impactful album. The lead single, also titled "Samurai," was released on May 17, 2024, followed by the second single, "Cake," on June 7, 2024. The album includes tracks like "Mumble Rap," "Palaces," "No. 1 Headband," "Til Eternity," "Outside," and "Bigfoot," each contributing to the overarching narrative of the album.
"The word 'samurai' means to serve," Lupe says on the album's title. "My relationship to that word has always meant that you need to be at the service of other people, either in the overall community, or in this instance, the rap community at large that I've been a part of for years. You have some duty, some purpose to serve. The title alone is very important to me. Before rap even, martial arts was my whole life, and it still plays a huge role in my life. The album is me, but also inspired by a quote I heard from one of my favorite artists. The overall themes of the album speak to the constant fight and the battle one goes through being in the entertainment industry. Some of the things we need to defend."
Overall, "Samurai" is a testament to Lupe Fiasco's artistry and his ability to push the boundaries of hip hop. Have you had a chance to listen to it yet? If so, what are your thoughts?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Steven Wick Blog. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
If you decide to purchase any item using our authorized referral/affiliate links, be aware, we may receive a portion of the sales as commission, i.e. if you purchase a product/service.
To shop, select or click buttons, links or images, you will be redirected to product pages. Please, carefully research before you purchase. Feel free to share and leave a comment, we would love to hear from you. Your feedback is very important to us.
For more like this, music, literature, news, fashion, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Steven Wick News Letter.
We here at the Steven Wick Blog are so proud of our work, we’d like to thank you for being a part of our community. However, our mission to share so much from music, literature, lifestyle to fashion is a 24/7 undertaking! We need your help to continue our work. Your financial donation will help us not only keep the lights on, but enable us run many more stories in the future to come. DONATE HERE
Message Of Gratitude
We deeply appreciate your contribution in making our blog the top brand among customers.
Without you as our readers, we wouldn't have achieved this level of success. Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we assure you that we will always be a reliable source for your entertainment needs.
Your trust in us is invaluable, and we are grateful for your generous donations as our readers.
A number of you took an extra effort and opted to contribute as monthly donors. By doing so, your generous contribution is multiplied by twelve throughout the year, thereby amplifying the impact you have on our work. Your dedication truly makes a significant change, and we sincerely appreciate your valuable support.
Your support has been instrumental in our brand's success.
Thank you for being with us throughout the past year.
As we continue to grow and enhance our business, we pledge to prioritize your needs and interests.
Best Regards
The Steven Wick Team
Comments