The Pharacyde- Drop
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Help Me
I often come across music that is meaningful and relevant... This track shows me that Im not the only being that see the corruption within our world today, and that it is only getting worse. Don't believe me? check the statistics. No there's no big event like "the holocaust" going on.. but there's still slavery, genocide, war... do I really have to go on? so many people need help, so many things we can do. Especially people in powerful positions, you know.. rich people. celebrities... But of course donations are not enough, they don't want to get their hands dirty... and that says a lot about how we changed as human beings. Its sad that people just simply do not care enough anymore. A lot of artists are starting to make things more aware.. just making a song about whats going on, is HELPING, because its making people more aware of whats going on. Thanks N.E.R.D...
Defend your ART...
So MTV decides to come down on L.A.S.E.R.S
and Mr. "FnF up!" responds...
MTV Says... 1. Keep recording songs for Lasers
We've heard that you submitted a completed version of Lasers to Atlantic months ago. That's all well and good, but there's a good chance your whole experience with trying to get your album out would make for a good song or two. So don't assume that what you submitted is what's going to hit store shelves. Keep recording and give fans the freshest material you've got when the album finally does drop.
2. Call Kanye West, like, NOW
In case you haven't noticed, 'Ye is about to be busy. Real busy. With his new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, dropping next month, he's gonna be on every TV station, radio channel and Web site soon. Before he is, put the bug in his ear that you're looking for a contribution for Lasers. If that doesn't get Atlantic excited about putting your project out, we don't know what will.
3. Drop a mixtape. Immediately.
Last year's Enemy of the State mixtape was dope. Only problem? It was like 20 minutes long. So, um, no offense, Lupe, but 20 minutes isn't enough to hold today's ran fans over for a day—let alone 10 months. Get some new music out and get it out right away.
4. Stop participating in supergroups
Child Rebel Soldier (a group comprised of Lupe, Pharrell and Kanye) and All-City Chess Club (boasting Lupe, B.o.B, Asher Roth and more) both sound like cool projects. But, yo: It's taken you three years to get Atlantic to release your next solo album. Do you really think Atlantic—or any other record label, for that matter—is going to put out an album by either of those two supergroups anytime soon? Yeah, we don't think so. So stay focused on your solo career. At least, for now.
5. Repair your image on the rap blogs
We're not sure if you know this or not, but most of the rap blogs seem to hate you. You don't seem to care, which is cool, but in today's hip-hop culture, you need the blogs to love you (or, at the very least, to blog about you!) in order to be successful. That's just the way it is. If you can't stand a particular blogger, you don't have to cater to him or her. But find a couple you do like and serve them up some fresh material. (P.S. If you want RapFix to do it, just say the word!)
6. Embrace your leaked records
No rapper wants their new songs leaked onto the Internet. It'd be crazy to try and convince you or any other rapper to be happy about it. But if it happens, it happens. Rather than throwing dirt on your own songs or chastising the world when a record leaks, accept it and move on. That's what we call free publicity, sir.
7. Be open to trying everything to land on a hit single
You passed over on B.o.B's "Nothin' On You." Cool, you weren't feeling it. But be open to doing whatever you can to find a hit that'll propel your album into the next stratosphere. That doesn't mean you have to sell yourself out or work with someone you don't want to. But if you're not gonna do that, think outside the box to land on a single that'll make you proud.
8. Take cues from your labelmate B.o.B.
Speaking of B.o.B, look no further than B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray to hear how you can make the album you want to and keep your label happy. B.o.B might have a few songs on there that you wouldn't necessarily record, but it's safe to say he's also got plenty of songs on there that he truly wanted to release to the world. Use that as your blueprint.
9. Appreciate your old fans—but try to find some new ones
You have a diesel fan base. Kids were willing to sign a petition and even take time out of their busy lives to come and protest on your behalf. You need to keep them around. But you also need to branch out and realize that not everyone is happy with the way you've handled your label politics. Do whatever it takes to get them back on your side through your music.
10. Keep rapping your ass off
Good music trumps everything. So whether you drop a mixtape tomorrow or start recording a couple freestyles every week, use your voice to give yourself a voice in the hip-hop community. If you do that, Lasers will shine brightly.
Until then... *clicks play on "I'm Beaming"*
AND Fiasco says...
Oh snap…MTV (illuminati’s favorite network) back on the attack…why can’t y’all just chill out? Salacious banality @ the speed of light? I think I’ve been very good natured with you. I personally know several employees of your company. You guys know me as well. I’m confused. Where is the true music journalism??? where is Suchin?!! What happened? Where are the honest critiques of cultural expression? For it’s not about being RIGHT it’s about being HOT Fame over self-awareness and virtue Hedonism over self respect Celebrity over cerebral. A destroying force in our culture and society just like rest of the useless vapid spectacles that pour out of our tv’s and radios. What are we supposed to be learning from you? What is your point? Do you have a point beyond corporate sponsored distraction? Your a materialistic shell of your former self that can only identify with celebrity pageantry and instant gratification. Corporate garbage pushing plastic lifestyles and wasteful, destructive behavior into the brains of the youth of the world. So when your relevance thins in2 a whisper & the stock price collapses and you have 2 come 2 grips with the mess you made. I’ll be here 4 ya. We’ll be here. With hands full of baby powder 2 smack some sense back into your body & a warm shoulder to cry on. We want the REAL MTV back!
-Lupe Fiasco
and Mr. "FnF up!" responds...
MTV Says... 1. Keep recording songs for Lasers
We've heard that you submitted a completed version of Lasers to Atlantic months ago. That's all well and good, but there's a good chance your whole experience with trying to get your album out would make for a good song or two. So don't assume that what you submitted is what's going to hit store shelves. Keep recording and give fans the freshest material you've got when the album finally does drop.
2. Call Kanye West, like, NOW
In case you haven't noticed, 'Ye is about to be busy. Real busy. With his new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, dropping next month, he's gonna be on every TV station, radio channel and Web site soon. Before he is, put the bug in his ear that you're looking for a contribution for Lasers. If that doesn't get Atlantic excited about putting your project out, we don't know what will.
3. Drop a mixtape. Immediately.
Last year's Enemy of the State mixtape was dope. Only problem? It was like 20 minutes long. So, um, no offense, Lupe, but 20 minutes isn't enough to hold today's ran fans over for a day—let alone 10 months. Get some new music out and get it out right away.
4. Stop participating in supergroups
Child Rebel Soldier (a group comprised of Lupe, Pharrell and Kanye) and All-City Chess Club (boasting Lupe, B.o.B, Asher Roth and more) both sound like cool projects. But, yo: It's taken you three years to get Atlantic to release your next solo album. Do you really think Atlantic—or any other record label, for that matter—is going to put out an album by either of those two supergroups anytime soon? Yeah, we don't think so. So stay focused on your solo career. At least, for now.
5. Repair your image on the rap blogs
We're not sure if you know this or not, but most of the rap blogs seem to hate you. You don't seem to care, which is cool, but in today's hip-hop culture, you need the blogs to love you (or, at the very least, to blog about you!) in order to be successful. That's just the way it is. If you can't stand a particular blogger, you don't have to cater to him or her. But find a couple you do like and serve them up some fresh material. (P.S. If you want RapFix to do it, just say the word!)
6. Embrace your leaked records
No rapper wants their new songs leaked onto the Internet. It'd be crazy to try and convince you or any other rapper to be happy about it. But if it happens, it happens. Rather than throwing dirt on your own songs or chastising the world when a record leaks, accept it and move on. That's what we call free publicity, sir.
7. Be open to trying everything to land on a hit single
You passed over on B.o.B's "Nothin' On You." Cool, you weren't feeling it. But be open to doing whatever you can to find a hit that'll propel your album into the next stratosphere. That doesn't mean you have to sell yourself out or work with someone you don't want to. But if you're not gonna do that, think outside the box to land on a single that'll make you proud.
8. Take cues from your labelmate B.o.B.
Speaking of B.o.B, look no further than B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray to hear how you can make the album you want to and keep your label happy. B.o.B might have a few songs on there that you wouldn't necessarily record, but it's safe to say he's also got plenty of songs on there that he truly wanted to release to the world. Use that as your blueprint.
9. Appreciate your old fans—but try to find some new ones
You have a diesel fan base. Kids were willing to sign a petition and even take time out of their busy lives to come and protest on your behalf. You need to keep them around. But you also need to branch out and realize that not everyone is happy with the way you've handled your label politics. Do whatever it takes to get them back on your side through your music.
10. Keep rapping your ass off
Good music trumps everything. So whether you drop a mixtape tomorrow or start recording a couple freestyles every week, use your voice to give yourself a voice in the hip-hop community. If you do that, Lasers will shine brightly.
Until then... *clicks play on "I'm Beaming"*
AND Fiasco says...
Oh snap…MTV (illuminati’s favorite network) back on the attack…why can’t y’all just chill out? Salacious banality @ the speed of light? I think I’ve been very good natured with you. I personally know several employees of your company. You guys know me as well. I’m confused. Where is the true music journalism??? where is Suchin?!! What happened? Where are the honest critiques of cultural expression? For it’s not about being RIGHT it’s about being HOT Fame over self-awareness and virtue Hedonism over self respect Celebrity over cerebral. A destroying force in our culture and society just like rest of the useless vapid spectacles that pour out of our tv’s and radios. What are we supposed to be learning from you? What is your point? Do you have a point beyond corporate sponsored distraction? Your a materialistic shell of your former self that can only identify with celebrity pageantry and instant gratification. Corporate garbage pushing plastic lifestyles and wasteful, destructive behavior into the brains of the youth of the world. So when your relevance thins in2 a whisper & the stock price collapses and you have 2 come 2 grips with the mess you made. I’ll be here 4 ya. We’ll be here. With hands full of baby powder 2 smack some sense back into your body & a warm shoulder to cry on. We want the REAL MTV back!
-Lupe Fiasco
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
FINALLY!! "Lasers" is coming...
Lupe Fiasco's much-anticipated new album "Lasers" hits stores and online Tuesday, March 8th 2011. The first single will premiere on Tuesday, October 26th right here on LupeFiasco.com first! #GenerationLasers you ready? Let's go!
FINALLY!! "Lasers" is coming...
Lupe Fiasco's much-anticipated new album "Lasers" hits stores and online Tuesday, March 8th 2011. The first single will premiere on Tuesday, October 26th right here on LupeFiasco.com first! #GenerationLasers you ready? Let's go!
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/knoxiety/Lupe_Fiasco_by_SkrillaGfx-1.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/knoxiety/Lupe_Fiasco_by_SkrillaGfx-1.jpg
Friday, September 24, 2010
Atlantic, Lupe, and Lasers
So I came across this website, about a rapply some fans are putting together, to protest against Atlantic records for not releasing the Album "Lasers"... ACORDING TO THEM ITS "Too dark"... oh... you mean its Too Real, and personal??? Im not going to go into a rant, because it will be pages long. i just find it funny how, they love to sell negative music, but are hesitant to give us something positive... anyway for more info on the rally, that is taking place in NY city on Oct. 15th.. click here---->
If I were president
haha, so i came across this video of Mos Def, talking about what he would do if he was president. Its pretty old, but funny. and of course, the man is speaking the truth.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
VMA's and Jiggaboo's?
As I am looking over reviews about the VMA's, I notice that Im seeing more negative comments, than good one about the show. I did not watch it, not too fond of award shows, but I did get the chance to see some of the performances. And I have to admit, everything was all over the place, and alot of people that performed were... Overhyped, trying to hard... thats just my opinion. It seems like people are somewhat waking up, and not falling the bs the media is constantly throwing at us. Here is a video from "Lovelyti", a youtuber who shares her thought and I tend to always agree with her, check this out:
Monday, September 13, 2010
MY MIC SOUNDS NICE???
So... I Know you all have probably seen the BET documentary "my mic sounds nice" about female mcs, well i came across an interesting post. Just some guy explaining his thoughts about the show, and his feelings on females in the Hip hop industry, and i agree with a lot of what he is saying!!!
Here is what he had to say:
{Frumdamentalz}
I thought the beginning of the documentary was great, but then towards the middle, I thought it completely fell apart because it was all very contradictory.
It seemed like a lot of blame was placed on the industry in an attempt to explain why there was such a lack of originality and authenticity from female MCs in the 90's up until today (aside from the few artists they spotlighted like Lauryn Hill and Missy). They were trying to explain how the industry is all about record sales, and if you didn't follow the gimmicks and image of a Lil Kim or a Foxy Brown, not only will you not sell records, but no major record label would sign you. This is all true.
But at the same time, why did everyone in this documentary place so much emphasis on record sales and being on a major label? They were more concerned with who sold the most records instead of who was the most skilled. If that's the case, then they have the same mentality as the industry they're trying to blame for the lack of originality and creativity where sex and image is more important than skills. They claimed Trina has been the only female MC holding it down over the past 12 years because of the fact that she's on a major record label and sells records. She also uses sex to sell records, maybe more so than any other female MC ever. Why was she given so much praise and credit, and such a huge spotlight in this documentary if she's exactly what's wrong with today's female MCs? Meanwhile, there have been much more original and talented female MC's other than Trina, but the fact that Trina sold more records than they did, she was placed on a pedestal while a whole slew of much more talented female MCs who are underground and don't use sex to sell were all quickly mentioned towards the end and not given the same recognition as Trina or anyone else. They literally mentioned 20 female MCs in 20 seconds (and I was surprised they didn't mention Apani B and Helixx C. Armageddon, especially since they mentioned other female MCs from Polyrhythm Addicts and The Anomolies, but that's neither here nor there).
Trina said, "they don't really wanna see you in the baggy jeans. They wanna see you sexy because you're a female, I'm a dude, I'm not learning nothing from you, I just wanna see you so whatever you're talking about I probably don't really care I just wanna look at you and whatever you're saying it all sounds good to me." Wow, that's exactly what's wrong with music today and shows the influence that the industry has on its artists. So if Trina is a product of everything that's wrong with the industry, why did they praise her in the documentary for being the most consistent sellout over the past 12 years? None of that made sense to me.
Aside from my issues with that part of the documentary, I'm surprised Bahamadia was one of the few who were quickly mentioned towards the end. Jean Grae too. I mean Jean Grae was there commenting on other female MCs, so I guess they just decided she wasn't worth mentioning with the likes of Trina, Eve, Da Brat, etc. I don't know if you're familiar with Jean Grae's work as a rapper, but what many people don't know about Jean Grae is that she worked under many different aliases over the course of her career. One of her aliases was Run Run Shaw. Under this alias, she produced a majority of the music that was released by the Makin' Records label in the 90s, including all of their biggest hits. There are little to no female producers in the history of Hip Hop. To have one who can an MC and produce, and do both very well, is rare and I think she deserved to have her own spotlight, especially since they had her there commenting on other female MCs who only got in the game because they agreed to strip for money and rode the coattails of established male MCs. Here is Jean Grae, a woman who didn't come in the game on anyone's coattails, never used sex to sell, can rap circles around any female MC before and after her (in my opinion), and most male MCs for that matter, and she's not worth talking about? Why, because she didn't sell as many records as Trina?
I'm sure you get the gist of my rant, so I'll stop here. I just wanted to comment on one last thing. The part where Eve and Salt tried to explain that the lack of quality female MCs over the past 15 years is because females are more emotional than men so they're unable to be on tour for a long time because they miss their friends and families, and because a female requires too many accessories to get by on tour while living out of a suitcase was such a cop out. They should be ashamed of themselves for making those comments. And I like both of them, but their comments upset me even more than the Trina spotlight.
With that being said, I agree with what you said in your post. Nowadays, it's all about image. Just look at Nicki Minaj. She shows more and more skin and dumbs down her lyrics by the day, and it's making her more money and more popular. She's not stupid, and she's more talented than what she's giving us nowadays. But like Trina, she understands what it takes to be a success in this industry and she's willing to compromise the integrity and quality of her music to make money. There is something seriously wrong with that, and until artists (both male and female) stop pimping themselves out for money, the major record labels will continue to make a fortune off of them while artists like them come and go everyday. The reason why MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Monie Love were able to come out and show their pure talent where they actually had messages in their music and were still making hits was because the radio, BET, MTV, etc. was much different in the 80's and early 90's. It's not because there aren't any talented female MCs anymore. And as long as the Nicki Minaj's and Trina's are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, there isn't any room for the ones who still have a message and aren't willing to take their clothes off to sell records.
And here is Rah Digga's Take on the show, I also agree with what she is saying...
Here is what he had to say:
{Frumdamentalz}
I thought the beginning of the documentary was great, but then towards the middle, I thought it completely fell apart because it was all very contradictory.
It seemed like a lot of blame was placed on the industry in an attempt to explain why there was such a lack of originality and authenticity from female MCs in the 90's up until today (aside from the few artists they spotlighted like Lauryn Hill and Missy). They were trying to explain how the industry is all about record sales, and if you didn't follow the gimmicks and image of a Lil Kim or a Foxy Brown, not only will you not sell records, but no major record label would sign you. This is all true.
But at the same time, why did everyone in this documentary place so much emphasis on record sales and being on a major label? They were more concerned with who sold the most records instead of who was the most skilled. If that's the case, then they have the same mentality as the industry they're trying to blame for the lack of originality and creativity where sex and image is more important than skills. They claimed Trina has been the only female MC holding it down over the past 12 years because of the fact that she's on a major record label and sells records. She also uses sex to sell records, maybe more so than any other female MC ever. Why was she given so much praise and credit, and such a huge spotlight in this documentary if she's exactly what's wrong with today's female MCs? Meanwhile, there have been much more original and talented female MC's other than Trina, but the fact that Trina sold more records than they did, she was placed on a pedestal while a whole slew of much more talented female MCs who are underground and don't use sex to sell were all quickly mentioned towards the end and not given the same recognition as Trina or anyone else. They literally mentioned 20 female MCs in 20 seconds (and I was surprised they didn't mention Apani B and Helixx C. Armageddon, especially since they mentioned other female MCs from Polyrhythm Addicts and The Anomolies, but that's neither here nor there).
Trina said, "they don't really wanna see you in the baggy jeans. They wanna see you sexy because you're a female, I'm a dude, I'm not learning nothing from you, I just wanna see you so whatever you're talking about I probably don't really care I just wanna look at you and whatever you're saying it all sounds good to me." Wow, that's exactly what's wrong with music today and shows the influence that the industry has on its artists. So if Trina is a product of everything that's wrong with the industry, why did they praise her in the documentary for being the most consistent sellout over the past 12 years? None of that made sense to me.
Aside from my issues with that part of the documentary, I'm surprised Bahamadia was one of the few who were quickly mentioned towards the end. Jean Grae too. I mean Jean Grae was there commenting on other female MCs, so I guess they just decided she wasn't worth mentioning with the likes of Trina, Eve, Da Brat, etc. I don't know if you're familiar with Jean Grae's work as a rapper, but what many people don't know about Jean Grae is that she worked under many different aliases over the course of her career. One of her aliases was Run Run Shaw. Under this alias, she produced a majority of the music that was released by the Makin' Records label in the 90s, including all of their biggest hits. There are little to no female producers in the history of Hip Hop. To have one who can an MC and produce, and do both very well, is rare and I think she deserved to have her own spotlight, especially since they had her there commenting on other female MCs who only got in the game because they agreed to strip for money and rode the coattails of established male MCs. Here is Jean Grae, a woman who didn't come in the game on anyone's coattails, never used sex to sell, can rap circles around any female MC before and after her (in my opinion), and most male MCs for that matter, and she's not worth talking about? Why, because she didn't sell as many records as Trina?
I'm sure you get the gist of my rant, so I'll stop here. I just wanted to comment on one last thing. The part where Eve and Salt tried to explain that the lack of quality female MCs over the past 15 years is because females are more emotional than men so they're unable to be on tour for a long time because they miss their friends and families, and because a female requires too many accessories to get by on tour while living out of a suitcase was such a cop out. They should be ashamed of themselves for making those comments. And I like both of them, but their comments upset me even more than the Trina spotlight.
With that being said, I agree with what you said in your post. Nowadays, it's all about image. Just look at Nicki Minaj. She shows more and more skin and dumbs down her lyrics by the day, and it's making her more money and more popular. She's not stupid, and she's more talented than what she's giving us nowadays. But like Trina, she understands what it takes to be a success in this industry and she's willing to compromise the integrity and quality of her music to make money. There is something seriously wrong with that, and until artists (both male and female) stop pimping themselves out for money, the major record labels will continue to make a fortune off of them while artists like them come and go everyday. The reason why MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Monie Love were able to come out and show their pure talent where they actually had messages in their music and were still making hits was because the radio, BET, MTV, etc. was much different in the 80's and early 90's. It's not because there aren't any talented female MCs anymore. And as long as the Nicki Minaj's and Trina's are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, there isn't any room for the ones who still have a message and aren't willing to take their clothes off to sell records.
And here is Rah Digga's Take on the show, I also agree with what she is saying...
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