Lupe Fiasco has been going through some growing pains lately. The intellectual and politically vocal rapper has been up front about the label troubles that have crippled his long awaited new album "Lasers," (out March 8th) all the while dealing with internal struggles regarding his musical vision. But regardless of the hype or negative feedback, Lupe has never shied away from confronting his own agenda or personal ambivalence.
When it comes down to it, Lupe's self-expression and exploration is the mark of an artist who isn't afraid to exorcise his own demons, regardless of any outside controversy. As a talented and important artist, Lupe has a unique voice and has carved himself a niche in the world of hip-hop, but it's still up to us to listen to what he has to say.
"I was literally told for ('Lasers' first single) 'The Show Goes On' that I shouldn't rap too deep," he told "The Chicago Tribune." "I shouldn't be too lyrical. It just needs to be something easy on the eyes...." To "The Chicago Sun Times" he reiterated,“‘Don’t rap too deep on this record.' That was a specific order from the top. ‘You’re rapping too fast or too slow, or it’s too complex.’"
LISTEN: Lupe Fiasco "All Black Everything"
Fiasco has been vocal about his distaste for the "360" deals, the standard record deal for new artists that allows labels to make money off of more than just album sales, including tour merchandise and songwriting publishing. In Lupe's opinion, because he refused to sign a 360 deal, his project is less of a priority for his record company, Atlantic.
When it comes down to it, Lupe's self-expression and exploration is the mark of an artist who isn't afraid to exorcise his own demons, regardless of any outside controversy. As a talented and important artist, Lupe has a unique voice and has carved himself a niche in the world of hip-hop, but it's still up to us to listen to what he has to say.
"I was literally told for ('Lasers' first single) 'The Show Goes On' that I shouldn't rap too deep," he told "The Chicago Tribune." "I shouldn't be too lyrical. It just needs to be something easy on the eyes...." To "The Chicago Sun Times" he reiterated,“‘Don’t rap too deep on this record.' That was a specific order from the top. ‘You’re rapping too fast or too slow, or it’s too complex.’"
LISTEN: Lupe Fiasco "All Black Everything"
Fiasco has been vocal about his distaste for the "360" deals, the standard record deal for new artists that allows labels to make money off of more than just album sales, including tour merchandise and songwriting publishing. In Lupe's opinion, because he refused to sign a 360 deal, his project is less of a priority for his record company, Atlantic.
Last year, fans of the rapper organized "Fiasco Friday," where they rallied for the release of "Lasers." Most recently, the album leaked online a week before its release date. After the initial support from fans, it may be that some of the listening public and critics are disappointed with what they fought for, or it's not quite what they expected.
"I never thought "Lasers" would inspire so much negativity. Reading the comments and reactions is crushing," Lupe tweeted in response to the feedback. "To all the Lupe fans who protested and petitioned you did a GREAT thing. Don’t let people belittle what u achieved. You forced a massive corporation to bow to the whim of the people. That's a glorious thing. Love always shines...It’s a beautiful day today. Go out and be beautiful with it."
PHOTOS: Dear Lupe...
Yet Lupe has admitted his own struggles with the material on "Lasers." "I'm comfortable and happy with the record as a whole, where before there was an imbalance," he explained. "I hate this record, the process of making this record, and I love this record. What I had to go through was not fun, the ugliness I saw in people. But I love the manifesto, that the message got out, that fans protested for four hours in front of the label's New York headquarters and demanded attention."
"I never thought "Lasers" would inspire so much negativity. Reading the comments and reactions is crushing," Lupe tweeted in response to the feedback. "To all the Lupe fans who protested and petitioned you did a GREAT thing. Don’t let people belittle what u achieved. You forced a massive corporation to bow to the whim of the people. That's a glorious thing. Love always shines...It’s a beautiful day today. Go out and be beautiful with it."
PHOTOS: Dear Lupe...
Yet Lupe has admitted his own struggles with the material on "Lasers." "I'm comfortable and happy with the record as a whole, where before there was an imbalance," he explained. "I hate this record, the process of making this record, and I love this record. What I had to go through was not fun, the ugliness I saw in people. But I love the manifesto, that the message got out, that fans protested for four hours in front of the label's New York headquarters and demanded attention."
While "Lasers" may not boast club-worthy jams that are easy on the ears, sometimes taking the journey with the artist is just as important as a radio-ready hit. Music stems from emotion and Lupe has successfully tapped into that part of himself as he discusses his dreams for a race-free world in "All Black Everything" and questions the President in "Words I Never Said" featuring Skylar Grey.
"There are consequences and combat that comes from that process and the eventual compromise," Lupe told the Sun Times, "With me, though, I’m not writing about someone else. I’m writing about me. This is my life. It’s very personal for me. So for somebody to kind of put their fingers in that and play with that, it becomes more damaging.”
LISTEN: "Words I Never Said" And Other Beats You Can't Ignore
Maybe Lupe still hasn't made exactly the record he set out to make but he certainly got his message across. "Hopefully I'll be out of my traditional record deal, the record deal I'm in right now. Probably living in Africa somewhere, making rock music," he told Hot 97, "Independent comes with its own set of consequences, so that takes preparation. There's a lot of things you're going to lose taking that route."
We can only wait and see what road Lupe will take next, but regardless, his fans are willing to take that journey with him.
"There are consequences and combat that comes from that process and the eventual compromise," Lupe told the Sun Times, "With me, though, I’m not writing about someone else. I’m writing about me. This is my life. It’s very personal for me. So for somebody to kind of put their fingers in that and play with that, it becomes more damaging.”
LISTEN: "Words I Never Said" And Other Beats You Can't Ignore
Maybe Lupe still hasn't made exactly the record he set out to make but he certainly got his message across. "Hopefully I'll be out of my traditional record deal, the record deal I'm in right now. Probably living in Africa somewhere, making rock music," he told Hot 97, "Independent comes with its own set of consequences, so that takes preparation. There's a lot of things you're going to lose taking that route."
We can only wait and see what road Lupe will take next, but regardless, his fans are willing to take that journey with him.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
Lupe Fiasco takes on critics, fans and himself as he readies his "Lasers" release for March 8th.
No comments:
Post a Comment