Lupe Fiasco graced the campus of Clark Atlanta University. He sat down with Dr. Joycelyn A. Wilson, Director of The Hip Hop 2020 Project in front of an audience full of interested college students/fans where he opened up about his manifesto, his 14-point philosophy as well as his new music and of course the new album LASERS set to drop on March 8th.
He opened up about his thought process, why he wrote his manifesto and what guided him to write some of his music especially within the project coming out. He talked bout his background, his family, and his upbringing and really delved into his relationship with his father, who made sure Lupe was as well rounded, as the Westside of Chicago would allow. And I think this made him even more authentic. He was honest and that’s what fans that are into hip-hop really want. We want artist that will be honest about what they know, what they feel, and what they think.
But I have to tell ya’ll he is one of the dopest hip-hop minds ever. And I say hip-hop minds because he’s not only a talented rapper. He’s not just about spittin 16 bars and a hook, collect his paycheck and move on. He is someone who takes into consideration what is happening in the world. The problems, the blessings…the ups and downs and he throws it into his music so he touches lives on a personal, prolific, realistic level. I was almost in awe most of the time as he spoke because of what he was saying; the place where he was coming from was fascinating to me. I have recently, within the last 18 months, become a fan of Lupe and some times when I listen to his music; I mean really listen he says some real stuff.
What I love about Lupe is he’s a thinker. And a social thinker that can translate his thoughts into his music and so reach thousands. He believes that we should be aggressively peaceful. In the hood there is no need to fight fire with fire. Some things are not worth fighting for. There is no point in fighting amongst ourselves.
“you wanna punch somebody…go punch the CEO of AIG, go punch his ass”
He really took his time to relay and being honest about how he feels politically, socially and economically. Throughout the entire presentation he was given the chance to explain why he chose the words in which he did in both his songs ‘Words I Never Said’ and ‘The Show Goes On‘.
At the end of the presentation he asked the entire audience to stand and read his Manifesto out loud together.
L.A.S.E.R.S. MANIFESTO:
To every man, woman & child we want an end to the glamorization of negativity in the media│ We want an end to status symbols dictating our worth as individuals│ We want a meaningful and universal education system│ We want substance in the place of popularity│ We will not compromise who we are to be accepted by the crowd│ We want the invisible walls that separate by wealth, race & class to be torn down│ We want to think our own thoughts│ We will be responsible for our environment│ We want clarity & truth from our elected officials or they should move aside│ We want love not lies│ We want an end to all wars foreign & domestic violence│ We want an end to the processed culture of exploitation, over-consumption & waste│ We want knowledge, understanding & peace│ We will not lose because we are not losers, we are lasers!│ Lasers are the opposite of losers│ Lasers are shining beams of light that burn through the darkness of ignorance│ Lasers shed light on injustice and inequality│ Losers stand by and let things happen│ Lasers act and shape their own destinies│ Lasers find meaning and direction in the mysteries all around them│Lasers stand for love and compassion│ Lasers stand for peace│Lasers stand for progression│Lasers are REvolutionary │Lasers are the future
Love Always Shines Every time Remember to Smile – LF
It was an awesome experience and I’m looking forward to his album, his new foundation and any and all projects he has coming up in the future. LASERS is a highly anticipated album, not just for Lupe as an artist but I think for hip-hop as a whole. So I’m ready, but are you?
-Ms. Shay
Love
Always
Shines
Every time
Remember 2
Smile
“School for some, education for everyone” – Lupe Fiasco
