Lupe Fiasco Speaks on Problems With Former Label Atlantic Records

Lupe Fiasco took to Twitter to discuss his problems with his former label Atlantic Records, which the Chicago rapper was signed to from 2005 to 2009.

August 2, 2022

Lupe Fiasco photographed in NYC — Image via Getty/Mark Sagliocco
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Lupe Fiasco went into more detail about his relationship with his former label Atlantic Records.

The conversation began when the Chicago rapper responded to a fan who tweeted that Fisco didn’t want to “conform” to a pop sound back when Lupe was signed.

“Not accurate,” Fiasco responded. “I was comfortable making pop records. The issue was who controlled those records and what the ownership and splits were. Atlantic would only promote my records if they owned a large portion of them or if I signed a 360 deal. I gave Bruno Mars Just The Way You Are.”

The fan then thanked Fiasco, to which he responded, “The issue was never my ability to make hit or pop records. The issue wasn’t even the business per se. My contracts were solid. It’s when the label didn’t want to abide by the contracts anymore and started throwing shitty little curveballs out of FOMO and greed. All bad after that.”

When another fan suggested that the label did him “dirty,” Fiasco replied by quoting Lyor Cohen and Mike Kyser.

Fiasco inked a deal with Atlantic in 2005, but left just a few years later, in 2009.

The 40-year-old ended by explaining why he brought the topic up again, writing that he’s “been in some deeply wack situations in this business that took all kinds of adjustments to stay sane and progress. I protect my peace at all costs.”

Fiasco most recently released his Drill Music in Zion album via 1st & 15th Too and Thirty Tigers in June, marking the follow-up to 2018’s Drogas Wave.