Lupe Fiasco: Difference between revisions

[[File:220px-Lupefiasco.jpg|frame]]

 

{{quote|''"O ye tormented souls! My goal is to sit on the globe, like North Poles!"''|'''"Super" Lupe Fiasco''', "SLR"}}

 

 

A year later, his sophomore effort ''[[Concept Album|The Cool]]'' told the story of three different characters: The Cool (aka Micheal Young History), The Streets (the female personification of addiction to the high life), and The Game, a manifestation of the perils of urban living. There are [[Continuity Nod|numerous references]] scattered throughout both albums.

His third album, <s>Losers</s>''Lasers'', [[Development Hell|was shelved in 2008 by his label]] because [[Executive Meddling|they thought it wasn't "pop" enough]]. A combination of Lupe caving to pressure and rewriting some songs (something he has said [[Creator Backlash|will forever taint his own opinion of the album]]) and [[Internet Backlash|general fan outrage]] led to the record finally being released in 2011.

 

 

* [[Alternative Rap]]

* [[Badass Boast]]: While he has long since left his gangsta rap days behind, he still does leave a few in his songs.

* [[Big Bad]]: His concept album character The Game, which is a large man in a suit with a skull for a head, glowing red dice for eyes, and crack smoke that comes from his mouth.

* [[Call Back]]: Occasionally references his older songs in newer ones. "State Run Radio" references "Dumb It Down" and "Superstar", two songs on a similar topic.

** "The Coolest" uses an altered version of the chorus to "I Don't Feel Too Good" and name-drops "Hurts Me Soul" and "Sunshine" near the end

* [[Child Soldiers]]: The subject of the first two verses of ''Little Weapon''

** Also subject to [[Theme Naming]] courtesy of his first [[Supergroup]], Child Rebel Soldier.

* [[Development Hell]]: If it hasn't been mentioned on this page enough, Lasers and the whole production of it is stuff of legend.

* [[Did Not Get the Girl]]: Subverted in the extended version of "And He Gets The Girl". Just before the third verse we have the spoken lines:

* [[Executive Meddling]]: Originally, Lupe planned to release three albums- ''Food & Liquor'', ''The Cool'', and ''LupE.N.D.'', then retire. Unfortunately for him, his contract dictates at least six.

** His album ''L.A.S.E.R.S.'' was delayed several times due to disputes with his record label. Despite ''The Cool'' being certified gold, gaining critical acclaim, and being nominated for four Grammys, his record label decided that the album wasn't "successful" because none of his singles made #1 on the charts. They subsequently took his creative control, not even allowing him to choose his own producers, instead they would provide him with the records they wanted him to make. The most recent delay came after he rejected some of the records they asked him to record. A petition from the fans was the only thing that allowed for the release of the record.

** Because of this, he made sure that the first single, particularly its first verse, was a complete [[Take That]] towards Atlantic Records.

** Although Atlantic still had a lot of influence on the album itself. Listen to the State Run Radio and Beautiful Lasers samples released in 2009. The final album version of the songs have the beats more heavily produced and the chorus singer changed(State Run Radio was sung by Lupe Fiasco himself) or autotuned.

** His first rap name was Lil' Lu with L.U. standing for "Lyrical Underdog"

* [[Geek Reference Pool]]

* [[He's Back]]: With the release of American Terrorist III, as well as his Friend of the People: I Fight Evil mixtape, this has been many a fans [[And the Fandom Rejoiced|joyous]] reaction.

* [[Ludicrous Gibs]]: There's a slightly oblique reference at the end of Verse 3 of Super Lupe Raps

* [[Minored in Asskicking]]: Remember, he's a black belt.

** And he finally shows it during [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eNvYy2n35I&feature=player_detailpage#t=270s the Words I Never Said music video].

* [[Music Is Politics]]: State Run Radio highlights this while intertwining the typical political topics. The irony of it is that it was one of the songs that were heavily edited to be marketed for radio play.

* [[One of Us]]: "Lupe steals like [[Lupin III]]"? Yeah.

** "I love my city, really hope that God bless it/Got my mind moving faster than that [[Sonic the Hedgehog|hog in the hedges.]]

** "With the habit of a hobbit makes it kinda hard to drop it"

** "I like [[Street Fighter]] too, I just really hate Zangief, only [[Ryu and Ken|Ken and Ryu]], I find it hard to beat Blanka..."

* [[Ragtag Bunch of Misfits]]: The Skater and his crew.

* [[Shaped Like Itself]]: Used in Game Time

* [[Supergroup]]: Two of 'em: Child Rebel Soldier and All City Chess Club.

* [[Super Mode]]: A rather hilariously dangerous Real Life example, after Soulja Boy said nobody could understand Lu's lyrics, Lu decided to record the song SLR (Super Lupe Raps)...the cover art for the song really reads SUPER LUPE FIASCO-SLR. Also, the track's artist is labeled as "Super Lupe Fiasco". The funny thing is, SLR is filled to the brim with metaphors, shout outs, and insults. And it's 6 minutes long.

** "You can't understand me, nor mimic my miracles. All I see is me, and I'm a mother-loving-mirror-full..."

* [[Take That]]: Occasionally, usually to more mainstream rap. Lupe may be clever with his meanings and rhymes, but his insults are usually not as subtle. A fairly direct one is made about 22 seconds from the end of "Gotta Eat", aimed at [[Soulja Boy]]. It's barely audible upon the first few listenings.

** Alternatively, "Gotta Eat" likens fast food companies to a drug dealer selling a product that they know is slowly killing people.

** To the chagrin of rappers and their loyal, teenaged fans who love music videos with guns, drugs and boobs in slow motion and think it's incredible and creative, "Daydreamin'" fires back by pointing out that they're played out and they were never really that cool.

** Soulja Boy got his (again) after he claimed that Lupe's lyrics were indecipherable in "S.L.R. (Super Lupe Raps)".

** "Words I Never Said" takes what was meant to be a love song and [[Writer Revolt|uses it to slam]] political pundits, Barack Obama and self-described revolutionaries who only listen to protest songs while doing nothing to bring about change.

** "Come! These are the tales of the Cool...guaranteed to go and make you fail from your school, and [[The Cake Is a Lie|seek unholy grails like a fool...]]

*** "Don't you know, that [[Big Bad|I]] run this place? That I've [[Chessmaster|begun this race]]? Must I RERUN THIS PACE? I'M the reason it's become this way..."

** That song was recorded in 2008 according to Lupe.

** He and B.o.B. formed a massive super group that many fans thought were going to put Young Money in its place...they've done absolutely nothing, besides a remix to "I'm Beaming".

** "Airplanes" and "Nothin' on You" were originally his songs before Atlantic gave them to B.o.B. No wonder Lupe became suicidal.

For these ghetto girls and boys I'm rappin' 'round the world for." }}

** And "Words I Never Said" comes with yet another one as the third verse.

My screams is finally getting free. My thoughts is finally yelling through!" }}

* [[With Lyrics]]: "Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)" for [[UNKLE|"Chemistry"]].

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Musicians]]

[[Category:Music]]