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Lupe Fiasco has never been one to shy away from his personal views, but his newest single “Word’s I Never Said,” off his latest album “Lasers” is arguably his most controversial song he has ever made. Lupe has always been one of the rare artists who speak out on real life issues, but he gets REAL POLITICAL on this track. He attacks virtually everything and anyone involved in politics from the war on terror, calling it a “bunch of bullshit just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets,” to Glenn Beck from Fox News, and radio host Rush Limbaugh calling them both racist. Oh yeah, and President Obama, admitting he didn’t vote for him in 2008 and doesn’t plan on it in 2012 (“Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit/that’s why I didn't vote for him, next one either/I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful and I believe in the people”).
The track was produced by Alex Da Kid and according to MTV.com he said: "It's politically charged, it's controversial, and it's Lupe being honest about his opinions on society.
Lupe starts off by tackling issues such as: 9/11 conspiracy theories (“9/11 building 7 did they really pull it?”), budget cuts/education system (“your child’s future was the first to go with budget cuts/If you think that hurts then wait here comes the uppercut/the school was garbage in the first place/that’s on the up and up”) and TV news (“If you turn on TV all you see is a bunch of “what the f-cks/dude is dating so and so, blabbering bout such and such/and that ain’t Jersey Shore, homie that’s the news/and these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth”).
He then goes on about the religious conflict between Islam and Judaism, predatory lending practices by banks, and the risks of using manufactured goods in America.
This may seem like a Lupe rant but he does urge his listeners to be proactive in search of solutions.
“Complain about the liquor store but what you drinking liquor for?/Complain about the gloom but when’d you pick a broom up?/just listening to Pac ain’t gone make it stop/if you don’t become an actor you’ll never be a factor.”
Lupe is complimented by Skylar Gray as she sings the powerful hook (“It's so loud inside of my head with words that I should have said, as I drown in my regrets, I can't take back the words I never said").
When listeners were asked how they felt about this track the answers seemed to vary.
Danie Remy said “I think it is great that we have musicians getting involved in politics.”
Meghan Kirk said “it is an excellent example of trying to be in a leadership role, however, I do not think they are all qualified.
Derrick Rodgers said “Lupe is real for this one.”
What do you think?
Love this post Eric! This track is awesome, not just the lyrics but the music is just great. I do sometimes wonder though how much they really know about politics. I think he's genuinely trying to address problems in society and I am sure he really cares, but I do sometimes wonder. Looked the song up on YouTube and there is one big political debate going on in the comment section so I guess he is really making people think about these societal problems.
ReplyDeleteI think the track is a welcome return to social commentary songs.
ReplyDeleteElvis sang about the culture of poverty in "In the Ghetto," NWA wanted people to ""Fight the Power," and Fiasco keeps the spirit alive!