Image via Complex Original
The moment that Lupe Fiasco appeared on fellow Chicago artist Kanye West’s "Touch The Sky," legions of rap fans have grown to appreciate and even expect the frequent outbursts of truth that have set him apart from other artists. Everything Lupe has done since—musically and personally—has embodied an refreshingly honest and increasingly rare attitude. In an artist’s career, there often comes a time when they’ll fold their cards, give in to the temptations and “play along.” This has never willingly occurred to Lupe Fiasco.
This week, during an interview with Sway on MTV’s RapFix, Lupe couldn’t help but tear up after watching an old video of himself giving a tour of his hometown neighborhood in Chicago. It’s common knowledge Lupe came from a rough background, however, this moment in particular gave his genuine outlook more context than anyone was privvy to prior. In light of Lupe admirably letting us know how he really feels, and with his next full-length, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, scheduled for release on September 25, here are the 10 realest moments of Lupe’s career.
Written by Mustafa Abubaker (@mustafaintheory)
10. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Date: 1/10/2010
Lupe Fiasco climbed Tanzani's towering volcano and credited martial arts training as kid with helping him get to the top. He called it “one of them Karate Kid moments.”
9. Openly Criticizing Rap Music
Date: 7/26/12
In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Lupe said that 97% of rap is "terrible." He dissed the new 2 Chainz song and went to say that the only artists he has any praise for are Drake and Slaughterhouse.
8. Checking Up on Kid Cudi
Date: 9/17/10
In Complex’s infamous 2010 interview with a newly free and sober Kid Cudi, he was asked who was there for him after his arrest. After mentioning his G.O.O.D. Music family, he said, “There's one artist in this game who has always had my back and had nothing but love to show, and that's Lupe Fiasco. Every time I see that man, it's nothing but love—I saw him a little after it, and he was like 'I'm worried about you, man. Just checking in.' He's somebody who I know really genuinely gives a fuck.”
7. Recording "Hurt Me Soul"
Date: 9/19/2006
On this song from his debut album, Lupe reveals the fact he didn’t always like rap music because of its sinful content, cursing, and negative attitude towards women. Considering that this record came out the same year that Nas declared hip-hop dead, it was bold of Lupe to co-sign that sentiment, but with a caliber of rapping that clearly proved otherwise.
6. Raising Money for AIDs with Converse
Date: 1/22/2009
Converse linked with Lupe to design an exclusive shoe and all of the profits went towards fighting AIDS in Africa. Ever the advocate for humanity, it's no surprise that Converse picked Lupe as a brand ambassador alongside U2’s The Edge and Bobby Shriver.
5. Calling Out His Record Label
Date: 3/3/11
Atlantic Records had a lot to do with Lupe’s disapproval of the final version of Lasers. Lupe spared no words in scathing remarks about the label. At one point, he claimed they were “holding him hostage.”
4. Going Indie
Date: 7/26/12
Many artists who publicly gripe about their record label eventually shut up and embrace the machine. After Lupe fulfills the last two albums on his contract with Atlantic, he plans on going fully independent. It makes sense. Lupe’s always been an artist who excels when given complete artistic freedom.
3. Criticizing President Obama
Date: 6/8/11
Lupe Fiasco once called President Barack Obama “the biggest terrorist.” While a lot of people don’t agree with that statement, it takes a lot of guts to be a rapper who questions the efficiency of the nation’s first African-American President.
2. Admitting He Was Once Suicidal
Date: 3/3/2011
In an interview with The Guardian, Lupe spoke about the difficult process behind making his album, Lasers. He even went so far as to admit he was having suicidal thoughts. According to Lupe, the tipping point came after Atlantic records chairman Craig Kallman called Lupe's demo version of what would become B.o.B's hit song "Nothing On You," "wack."
"I was super-depressed," said Lupe, to The Guardian. "Lightly suicidal, at moments medium suicidal—and if not suicidal, willing to just walk away from it all completely." It might not seem like much, but few superstars are bold enough to come out and make such a personal confession to the public.
1. Hating On His Own Album
Date: 2/28/11
We all know Lasers was far from what Lupe envisioned. This happens in the record industry more often than most know, but many artists go along with the release rollout and at least do promo. Instead, Lupe Fiasco told Complex that he hated his album and went as far as boycotting it and telling his fans to do the same.