[Opinion] The Summer Of Fiasco: The Curious Case Of Wasalu Muhammad Jaco's Self-Righteousness
Ever since Lupe Fiasco spun Kanye West‘s Grammy winning “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” into a tune to raise awareness about conflict diamonds, the Chicago rapper has managed to somehow become one of the most polarizing figures in all of hip-hop. A lyrical dynamo with a penchant for substance, Fiasco takes great pride in challenging the status quo with rhymes about everything from poor nutrition (“Gotta Eat”) to the misconceptions of Islam in America (“American Terrorist”). His lifestyle parallels his music as he is involved in multiple philanthropic efforts and can be seen from time to time on news shows offering his anti-establishment views that have drawn the ire of conservatives and liberals alike. Often too outspoken for his own good, Fiasco has found himself at odds with his label, the government, magazines and bloggers, just to name a few.
Most recently, Fiasco has been grinding his battle worn axe with SPIN Magazine for reducing his video for “Bitch Bad” as an exercise in condescending self-righteous lecture that’s bleeds of a Tipper Gore tone.
That’s harsh. But Fiasco’s frantic #BoycottSpinMagazine Twitter rant because he was “publicly disrespected” were met with an even harsher eye roll accompanied by a groan by the hip hop community. It’s as if the entire community bellowed “do you want some cheese with that wine?” all at the same time.
On some level, they are right. Lupe does complain a lot. But that doesn’t mean his message does not bear any significance.
It reminds me of a professional wrestler who, at this time last year, single-handedly rejuvenated the flailing wrestling business by cutting a promo that pulled the curtain back on the industry. What started out as bellyaching about being respected and not getting his just due turned into a glorious moment that wrestling fans will never forget. If you’re not a wrestling fan, this might go over your head. But follow me for a minute.
Lupe Fiasco is to the hip hop industry as CM Punk is to professional wrestling. And before you give me the side-eye, keep in mind that hip hop is often likened to the professional wrestling industry because of its manufactured stars and drama. So my parallel won’t be too farfetched.
CM Punk currently totes the WWE Championship but hasn’t headlined a pay per view event since last Summer. What gives? How are you recognized amongst die hard wrestling fans as arguably the best pure wrestler and talker in the business but play second fiddle despite carrying the company’s most cherished title? It’s pretty simply actually. It’s just like how Lupe Fiasco is recognized amongst die hard hip hop fans as one of the best lyricists in the game but can’t seem to get past the likes of Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and the Waka Flocka‘s of the game in terms of popularity. You’ll hear more people recite ‘I think I’m Big Meech, Larry Hoover, whippin’ work, hallelujah” than “Bitch bad, woman good, lady better, they misunderstood.”
Think about that for a minute and revert back to my earlier piece about Rick Ross to put Lupe’s frustration into perspective.
Good read Andreas. I didn’t agree with Spin Magazine’s article regarding Lupe’s “Bitch Bad” video but I think Lupe’s reaction to it is nothing short of a f*cking fiasco. “Boycott Spin Magazine” is now the bigger headline nstead his song. It just feels like Lupe is resorting to the same whiny tactics people clown him for already. Lupe Fiasco is a talented lyricist but he needs to let his music do the talking and sometimes just take the high road in terms of how he deals with the press. I appreciate his music because he is offering more food for thought than mainstream radio cares to promote especially for our community.
This line is the best; “It’s a business that makes more money for you to not think and dance rather than analyze why they have you dancing in the first place.”
Great article Andreas, this was a refreshing approach & great writing as always. But I’m not with you on all of the points that were expressed.
Sometimes Lupe goes deeper into a topic than he should and it exposes that he really doesn’t have a firm grip on it. This is one of those times.
Lupe has definitely had his moments of brilliance & insight – “Bitch Bad” isn’t one of them! Sure, he had “good intentions” but that doesn’t mean his approach is exempt from criticism. He could actually learn a lot from the criticism, but he’s too busy being mad that people aren’t talking about how deep & brilliant he is. He was clearly trying to “start a conversation” but it’s turning into a subject he isn’t trying discuss – that subject being his “conscious” condescension that isn’t empowering, but actually demeaning to women. If this wasn’t all about him & his self-righteous ego, he might be able to recognize that & accept the criticism as an invitation to elevate his state of awareness – but it would seem he’s not about that life.
And don’t get me started on his self-comparison to Malcolm X, Barack Obama, Norm Chomsky and Martin Luther King, Jr. & referring to them as “whiners”- that’s a whole different thread altogether.
Stephanie, once again you’re missing the point. It’s not about Lupe as an individual, but more about his message. It’s our job to take this message and discuss these things in our community…that’s not his job. And, at least he’s speaking with substance. Especially when all you hear is glamorous, women bashing music that is a detriment to our community. All of the LV, Gucci rap makes people in the hood want those items.
So, how are they to iota in high scale items coming from a low income community? More than likely illegal activity. Not to mention the black dollar being taken out of the community, and we are the biggest consumers in America. Not to mention all of the killings in the inner city of Chicago, and the gun toating music that is constantly on the radio. Do they get the same or any criticism at all? Have we become numb to it?
At this point, years after the civil rights movement…to see how much the black race has declined…I say don’t kill the messenger, because the message is needed now more than ever.
Great read
Bitch Bad is nothing new for Lupe. He’s mentioned his disdain for the word “bitch” in “Hurt Me Soul” “The Coolest” and several other songs. He’s been successfully conscious throughout entire albums (The Cool is incredible and is a conscious work from front to back.) The problem with Bitch Bad is not that it has a message, just the condescending, holier-than-thou preacherman approach the song takes, without the lyrical dexterity and clever weaving of the message that exists in his past works. The beat is a joke, the flow is pretty lazy, its almost like he’s forgetting that its still supposed to be music, its a SONG and it has to be an enjoyable and respectable listen especially if you wannt push a pretty unpopulaar message in the realm of hip hop. It’s just not an impressive song especially for how much conviction he’s approaching the issue with through the pretty weak bars.
No one is mad at Lupe for being different, raging against the machine and all that, people are mad becuase his music has been sucking too much for him to be talking all this shit like he’s hip hop’s savior and no one else gets how “right” he is. Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King never lost sight of being great orators with a message, Lupe is losing sight of being a great musician with a message. He just sounds like a preachy baby-ass nigga now.
Understandable, but once again…how do you give him more ridicule than other artists or establishments?
Who said he’s getting more ridicule? Lil Wayne’s terrible rhymes have been getting dogged for years. But b/c Wayne has the own label and thus machine, & achieved ‘billboard fame’ when people thought he was decent, even though he’s called out, his fans still follow the catchy beat. Lupe on the other hand, doesn’t a machine, there was hype prior to food & liquor, but, it’s all gone now. So on top of all the wack lines, rhymes, songs, videos and now album is this guy raging against everything. It takes more than complaining to evoke change in the masses. Even at the height of Malcolm & Martin’s success they still had haters, Lupe wants to start movements, but gets lost before he reaches his destination.
I give him more ridicule the same reason people give Kanye so much ridicule, because he chooses to mention himself in this light that implies he’s above other artists and they’re simple in comparison. He’s shown he’s capable of being the best rapper thats no doubt, but now he’s kinda pointing at him being a better person then the misled and lost majority, and he slaps the word “Jesus” on his latest mixtape called “Friend of the People”. Was he comparing himself? At least at the end of the day Kanye continues to push his art, while Lupe opts to simply preach. Just my opinion of course.