“Yea, uh a fresh cool young Lu, trying to cash his microphone check 2, 1, 2, want to believe my own hype but it's too untrue, the world brought me to my knees what have you brung you, did you improve on the design, did you do something new, well your name ain't on the guest list, who brung you?, you the more famous person you come through, and the sexy lady next to you, you come to, and then it hit me, standing outside of heaven waiting for god to come and get me, I'm too uncouth, unschooled to the rules, and two gum shoe, too much of a newcomer, and too uncool”
The quote above is the first verse of Lupe Fiasco’s hit single “Superstar” and he was indeed brought to his knees and deemed too uncool last night at the Grammy’s as he did not win a single one even though he was nominated for 4 and would have won at least 3 if the Grammy’s were about real music when it comes to rap.
He mainly lost to Lil Wayne who took home 5 Grammy’s including Best Rap Album of the Year, Best Rap Solo Performance, and Best Rap Song all of which Lupe was a nominee. The fourth Grammy Lupe didn’t win went to Estelle and Kanye West who won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “American Boy” which should not have been nominated really since it’s a pop song and Kanye doesn’t really rap well on it “Superstar” was far more deserving.
As the whole Lil Wayne vs. Lupe Fiasco argument goes on, Lil Weezy fans are rejoicing as Fiasco fans, such as myself, are left ranting against the establishment. There's no way “A Milli” should've beat out “Paris, Tokyo” for Best Rap Solo Performance I mean Weezy says in the song, "I'm a venereal disease like a menstrual bleed" which first, is inaccurate as a venereal disease is a STD and a menstrual bleed is a period and second who the fuck compares themselves to either?! However that award should have gone to Nas for “N.i.*.*.e.r. (The Slave and The Master)” but of course that would be too controversial like his album which he had to keep untitled after he received backlash from everybody for naming it Ni**er, it’s surprising he was even nominated. Best Rap song should have went to Fiasco for “Superstar” but it went to the far more inferior and utterly stupid “Lollipop,” if a catchy no concept song was to win I’d rather it have been “Low.” “Lollipop” embodies why some people hate rap these days as its all about bitches and ho’s who in Weezy’s case like to lick his “Lollipop” seriously don’t tell me the people who decide these things don’t know what that means.
But I could excuse some of those ‘cause I do like Weezy too but there is no way in hell Tha Carter III should have beat out The Cool for Best Rap Album. Tha Carter III may have been the best selling album but it in no way was the best rap album. The Cool was a dark and loose concept album that stems from a track of the same name from Lupe’s debut album, Food & Liquor. The album tells the story of the little boy from "He Say, She Say" who grew up without a father, and the people that step in to raise him are the Streets and the Game. In between the story there are songs about sexual abuse ("Intruder Alert"), the paradigm of dreams versus reality ("Hip Hop Saved My Life"), and child soldiers ("Little Weapon"). Fiasco tapped into emotions surely shared by some of his followers, creating a soundtrack for those dealing with challenges. Even his single "Superstar," had a deeper message buried between the rhymes. Whereas Tha Carter III had no concept and is just purely entertainment whereas The Cool educates the masses. Maybe Fiasco will have to “Dumb it Down” to win a Grammy. I’m pretty pissed because the people know that Fiasco was more deserving and that’s all that should matter not how many records you sell. It should be quality over quantity but sadly the music industry doesn't see it that way. Furthermore, people shouldn't complain that rap has become too commercial and artists are "selling out" and that all rap music is about is sex, drugs, and money because you're the ones buying the albums and real rap is out there like Fiasco's The Cool and Nas' Untitled but since they don't come with a catchy jingle they don't get played or bought.
Also Lupe will not be retiring anytime soon as we have just found out from his blog that he will be releasing a new album possibly sometime in June titled, The Great American Rap Album instead of his triple disc retirement album LupE.N.D. also he will release another album entitled In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death with his band Japanese Cartoon for whom he is the lead (faux-British) singer Percival Fats.
*Note: all links to youtube if you wanna hear the songs
Til next time,
Peace and Much Love To Ya
No comments:
Post a Comment