[Video] Lupe Fiasco: "Lamborghini Angels/ITAL (Roses)/Audubon Ballroom"

Lupe Fiasco links up once again director Alex Nazari for a very psychedelic new set of visuals that lasts almost 13 minutes and brings records “Lamborghini Angels”, “ITAL (Roses)” and “Audubon Ballroom” to life with a great vision.

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Lupe Fiasco

[The New Classics] Lupe Fiasco: "Superstar"

Lupe Fiasco

Hip Hop music and culture is at an interesting place, in an interesting time.  It's perhaps more diverse than it's ever been, and while there's a lot of whack shit out there, I feel like it's recovering from it's lowest point of ringtone rap and the McDonald's style mass production of copy cats beats and empty rhymes. I'm on the verge of turning 30, and I realize that there is a whole generation of Hip Hop kids under me, who's reference points are much different. While I was a teenager during the height of Rawkus Records, birth of Bad Boy, and rise of Roc-a-fella, some of my younger counterparts aren't familiar with the Razorblade, missed out on the brilliance of Ma$e and Craig Mack, and only know the Jay-Z that is represented by dead-fucking-presidents.  I feel like it's time to recognize a new batch of classic Hip Hop records that can sit next to "Today Was A Good Day", "'93 Til Infinity", "Paul Revere", "Don't Sweat The Technique" and countless others.  This column is my contribution to that discussion, and a look at newer Hip Hop songs that should be in the running for classic status. Feel free to join the debate.

I want to start this column off with "Superstar" by Lupe Fiasco.  I already know that there's gonna be questions like, 'why start with that?!'  or  thoughts like 'that's way to new to be a classic!' or maybe even some, 'you're just putting that up cause you're from the Chi!'  Well, I can see those criticisms, and I can answer them.  It'd be easy to kick this off with "Simon Says", "Get By", "Ha", fucking "Hardknock Life" but what's the fun in that? I hope this stirs some 'hell naw's...'  That's the point.

"Superstar" is roughly 5 years old.  I remember hearing it for the first time when Lupe played it at Lollapalooza in the summer of 2007.  I got that feeling, you know, that feeling when you hear something really dope for the first time. You can call it the chills, whatever you like, but I got it.  Lupe was coming off a ridiculously successful debut in Food & Liquor (an album that I put up there with any great debut LP's).  It was socially relevant, full of substance, and full of BARS!  Hip Hop rejoiced in the emergence of Cornell Westside, and I myself felt a new sense of hope after suffering through Dem Franchize Boys, and shit like "Laffy Taffy".  Being smart was beginning to be cool again, and Lupe was leading the charge.

Lupe Fiasco

So, as Lupe began work on new music, he had the spotlight on him, dead center.  He was a new hope for Chicago Hip Hop, and Hip Hop as a whole.  And what did he do? He makes a song addressing all of it, and putting himself on the line.  "If you are what you say you are," Matthew Santos sings on the hook.  If you are a superstar, go prove it.  If this is what you want, take it. Take the good, take the bad, take everything.  It's time to step up or time to bounce.

Lupe also did a great job of looking at superstardom from different viewpoints.  All at once Lupe is the hungry artist looking at the music business from the outside, as well as one beginning to experience its benefits and its drawbacks.  He's also able to be a fan waiting on their favorite artists, plus an artist that through all the burnout that comes with the spotlight, "doesn't want it to fade."  It's a great concept record, a great narrative, great lyrics, big production, and a case of Lupe testing his own mettle.Say what you will about L.A.S.E.R.S., and everything else, but "Superstar" bangs and there's no fucking with Lupe's first two LP's.

I feel "Superstar" definitely deserves that classic status.  If you agree or disagree, hit the comment section, hit me on twitter, or send me an email... I love this game.  I'm going to be adding to this list each week, let's see where this goes.

 


Lupe Fiasco: Why I Joined SOTSK

Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco explains his motivations for taking part in Summit On The Summit: Kilimanjaro in his new blog. 
One of the most utopian and challenging phenomenon of man is the process of trying to realize the ideal. To sculpt the tangible from what is the ether of the mind. It manifests in the artistic mind as a vision and translates in the world via the specific talents of the artist as a song, a painting, a poem, a sculpture, a building, etc. The ambitious among us try and take a crack at it in every category. I think the category that best fits this trek is dance. Expressing oneself through the movement of one’s own body. An inaudible rhythm that silently screams a message to the audience. A public sacrifice of sorts. Putting ones own body directly in the firing line of critics, risking humiliation and to the extreme even creating enemies of friends and friends of strangers. All because of a dance. The steps of this dance in particular are simple enough, one foot in front of the other. The stage is a harsh and meandering, chaotic thing. The cast is a mix of Juliard graduates, street trained, pop-lock champions and downright hopeless amateurs. The music is all natural thunderclaps and raindrop drumsticks upon cold plastic rooftops. But the message is the real star of the show. The underlying manifesto is one of awe inspiring pageantry fit for carnival in the streets of Brazil or the main drags of New Orleans. It’s classic and new, unchanging but full of progression. Alvin Alley meets The Court Waltz. A “dance macabre” and the unfortunate ones amongst the skeletons are ignorance and complacency. So What’s The message?!?
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Lupe Fiasco Vinyl Figure

Lupe Fiasco

I didn't do that much on January 1st besides watch college football/basketball, and relax.  I also didn't turn on my computer, and missed the initial spreading of this vinyl projection of Lupe Fiasco.  This figurine was made in relation to Lupe's band, Japanese Cartoon.  No word if this is a one off or what, but it's pretty dope.  I'd love one... 

spotted at Lupe's site.


B.O.B. x Lupe In The Studio (Chicago Attic)

Bobby Ray

Atlantic Records compadres, Lupe Fiasco and Bobby Ray (formerly B.O.B.) linked up at the label offices to talk collabos, then proceeded to the Attic Studio to work on said collaboration.  See both videos below courtesy of ATLHustle...
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Mireya Acierto x RH Chicago The Photo Album Photo Album: Lupe Fiasco Edition

Lupe Fiasco

RubyHornet has linked up with photographer Mireya Acierto, a very accomplished photographer that has documented a large portion of Chicago Hip Hop over the last several years.  Intended to celebrate both her work, as well as Chicago's Hip Hop achievements, we present "Chicago The Photo Album Photo Album", a look at some of her most notable shots and the stories behind them.  We kick off the series with several pics of Lupe Fiasco circa 2006-2007.  Check them out below, and look for the next edition coming soon. 
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