Photo by: Virgil Solis
“At one point it wasn’t about Lasers, it was about ‘yo, we want out,” says Lupe Fiasco about his long standoff with Atlantic Records. Lupe had a completed project, and an eager fan base awaiting it, yet Atlantic Records did not want to release Lupe’s 3rd studio album, citing creative differences and corporate concerns. Lupe Fiasco’s fans took up the battle, staging protests and circulating online petitions for the album’s release. They got what they were after this fall, when Lupe Fiasco’s Lasers was given a March 2011 release date.
In this interview we talk to Lupe about his feelings during the holdout, as well as how this ordeal has affected his relationship with the music found on the new LP and his enthusiasm to promote it. We also talk about the impact of all the protests and demonstrations on future of the music business, and how he finds grounding and support in the Lasers Manifesto.
See the interview below.