LUPE FIASCO, an authentic veteran rapper from Chicago, has released his new album, “Samurai.” In homage to Amy Winehouse, whom Lupe respects, the album fuses battle rap and tributes inspired by her legacy. It is the most personal album of his career, and the music video for the lead single from the album, “No.1 Headband,” has also been released. It conveys his love for his hometown of Chicago, his life so far, and his pride as a rapper.
“No.1 Headband”
The new album, which is produced entirely by longtime collaborator and friend Soundtrakk (Superstar, Kick, Push, HipHop Saved My Life), is Lupe’s ninth album and follows 2022’s DRILL MUSIC IN ZION.
The album is comprised of eight smooth, yet intelligent, playful and narrative tracks, showcasing Lupe’s incredible skill in constructing complex rhymes in a literary way, and his love for the art of MCing.
“Fans often tell me I don’t make very personal albums, but this album is my most personal to date. It’s not a full biography, but there are personal experiences tied into every piece of music. Some are from someone’s perspective, some are my own. On the album, I touch on things that ‘other artists’ have been through and interweave my life as an artist,” Lupe said.
Five days before the release, he posted on “X” that the aforementioned “other artist” was actually Amy Winehouse, a UK artist he had loved for a long time and who passed away in 2011. He once again acknowledged that this work was a “portrait full of love” dedicated to Amy.
The title “Samurai” also means “to serve,” referring to the need to serve others throughout the rap community he has been involved in for many years. Martial arts was Lupe’s whole life before rap, and it still plays a big role in his life today.
The overall theme of the film speaks to the constant struggle faced by those in the entertainment industry, and yet there is always something worth protecting.
Photo by Karl Ray
About Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco (real name Wasal Muhammad Jayco) is a Chicago-born rapper and record producer who burst onto the scene in 2006 with his debut album, Food & Liquor.
At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, “Daydreamin'” from Food & Liquor won his first award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. After working with his own punk band, Japanese Cartoon, in 2011, his third album, Lasers, debuted at number one on the US album charts, making him one of the most important artists in the hip-hop world.
After that, 2022’s “Drill Music in Zion” received high praise from many media and critics, including NPR, Complex, and The FADER. His ninth album “Samurai”, produced by his ally Soundtrakk, is also attracting a lot of attention. Lupe, who has studied martial arts such as karate and kendo since childhood and has a deep knowledge of Japanese culture such as anime and games, also teaches “Rap Theory and Practice” as a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to his musical activities, he is also active in many areas and is committed to the community organization he founded.
release information
LUPE FIASCO
New album “Samurai” now available
Streaming link:https://orcd.co/lupe-samurai
Label: 1st and 15th too
Tracklist
1. Samurai
2. Mumble Rap
3. Cake
4. Palaces
5. No. 1 Headband
6. Bigfoot
7. Outside
8. Til Eternity
Music Videos
“No.1 Headband”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qpInC2hSSw
“Cake” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_brIj-go8U
“Samurai”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcoRc2ieFzE
Follow LUPE FIASCO
Official Website https://www.lupefiasco.com/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LupeFiasco
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lupefiasco/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@officiallupefiasco
Twitter https://x.com/LupeFiasco
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LupeFiasco
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