The LupE.N.D. Blog

On the set: Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) Video Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:38:00 +0000

The video is currently being shot and we already have some pics from the shoot courtesy of Ant, StHuby and Bam. Entry will be updated with more pics as they become available.

Bishop G!

Lupe Fiasco's "Around My Way" debuts on Billboard Hot 100

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Lupe's "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" debuts at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. With 54k sold it's also #27 on the Digital Songs chart.

Looking at previous singles, Kick, Push peaked at 78, Superstar also debuted at 76, The Show Goes On debuted at 57 and Words I Never Said at 89 on the Hot 100.

via Billboard

Lupe Fiasco shooting Video for "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" Today!

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:36:00 +0000

The video for the first single off "Food & Liquor 2" is going to be directed by Alex Nazari and will be shot at an undiclosed location on the west side of Chicago today.

Check some of Alex's previous work HERE

Lupe Fiasco contemplates making a sequel to "The Cool"!

noreply@blogger.com (Al Amend) — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:30:00 +0000

With Part 1 of Food & Liquor 2 on its way, Lupe just took to Twitter and announced some very interesting tentative plans for his next album:

LF's F&L2 GARA: 1-2...then what??? I really wanna do COOLER...what y'all think? Hmmmm decisions x 2...The Cooler would be fresh though...guess we'll see...till then... #AroundMyWay

He also posted THIS pic and toyed with the idea of finally dropping his long anticipated triple disc project instead. So what do you think, The Cooler or LupE.N.D? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Video: Pete Rock talks to MTV about "Around My Way"

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:13:00 +0000

via MTV

Video: Vava Voom featured in X Games Promo

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:22:00 +0000

Vava Voom is featured in a promo clip for this years X Games in LA. Watch above!

Video: Lupe Fiasco Soundset Set cut short cause of Tornado Warning

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:17:00 +0000

Watch above to see Lupe end his set in the middle of "Beautfiul Lasers" to announce that there's a Tornado warning in effect.

Pics: Lupe Fiasco @ Soundset 2012

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Lupe performed at the Soundset Festival in Shakopee, MN yesterday. Check out a few more pics below!

Pics taken by Mark Vancleave via The Minnesota Daily

Photo-Op: Lupe Fiasco x Premo x Raekwon x Ghostface

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Mon, 28 May 2012 09:36:00 +0000

They all met backstage at the Soundset Festival yesterday. On a side note.. Lupe made it rain. - Pic via Rae

Video: Mike Dreams - We The Ones

noreply@blogger.com (Rhymestyle) — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

With Mike Dreams's Millenial project being just around the corner, the Minneapolis spitter gives us some visuals to his We The Ones single.

Also while we're on the topic of Mike, check out his newest single below as well:

Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) on Amazon now!

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Lupe's first single off Food & Liquor 2 (Part 1) is now also available via Amazon, for all of you who don't fuck with iTunes. You can get it HERE

Video: Lupe Fiasco on how Pharrell inspires other Artists

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Sat, 26 May 2012 09:37:00 +0000

Here's another clip from the same FUSE interview in which Lupe gave us some details about F&L 2 and the release date of the first single. In this one he praises Pharrell and explains how the rapper/producer inspired himself, Kanye and Jay-Z.

Pete Rock issues another Statement regarding T.R.O.Y. Remake

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:30:00 +0000

After Lupe's Shade 45 interview yesterday, Pete Rock issued a 2nd statement about the remake of T.R.O.Y. ..Read it below:

It’s true that Lupe Fiasco’s representative from Atlantic Records contacted me last fall and he did so while I was in mourning over the sudden death of my cousin Heavy D. I gave the representative a conditional “yes” to use T.R.O.Y. for Lupe’s album but only based on the condition that I be involved on the project. It’s what I always say when approached by people who want to use that particular song. I was never contacted again. At no point was there any follow up from Atlantic Records. Now, the story gets twisted and it’s being said that I said “yes.” The part about my conditions has been left out to make me seem like I’m a hypocrite. When I heard about the song again, it was done, completed, and playing on the radio…and that was Monday night.

It’s true that people have made T.R.O.Y. over. I can’t control what’s done with my work after it’s already out there but I can control who gets my blessings. Those who involve me and respect me in the process, get my blessings. Those who work behind my back – but all the while putting up a front like I’m down with it – don’t.

I’m flattered that they wanted to remake my song and that they respect it for the classic that it is. I just think they should have talked to Atlantic Records to make sure things were done right. The biggest violation is from Atlantic Records but what can you expect? Labels are corporations and their whole point is to sell records. If they respect the artist in the process that would be nice, but they’re not required. For as political as Lupe as, I expected him to know that and to have hopefully made them more accountable. I’m surprised that he’s siding with the corporation on this.

Technically, there was no crime committed with the release of Lupe’s version of my song. Technically, the song can be out there but I’m not talking about legalities. I’m asking: Where’s the respect for the code among artists? No ego, but I know my place in this game. I’m recognized as a legend and I accept that. But most of all, I’m a grown man. The love and admiration that people have for me as a producer and as a man of honor has been non-stop, consistent for over 20 years. That’s based on something that can’t be touched. My music and my character stands for itself. T.R.O.Y was a career-defining song has gotten me invited to the White House. It’s not just because people think the production is dope. It’s also because of what the song stands for. I want my music to touch people but I don’t want to be walked over or lied on in the process.

I admit that my outburst on Monday night on Twitter was based on my reminiscing about Heav and Troy. I think about them every day. I apologize for being emotional about this. I had no intentions of hurting Lupe’s career. That’s not me. I’m known for building up not breaking down careers. Moving forward, I’m 100% in control and focused on what’s good.

Video: Questlove weighs in on T.R.O.Y. remake Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Questlove talked to MTV about Lupe remaking "T.R.O.Y." for his new track "Around My Way" and he says that he thinks it's a good thing and he's glad that Lupe did it.

Lupe Fiasco expresses his anger toward Pete Rock on Sway in the Morning

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:52:00 +0000

After missing his flight yesterday and not being able to attend RapFix Live Lupe called in to SwayInTheMorning on Shade 45 today. He talked about this whole situation involving Pete Rock again... while we thought that it was all sorted out now... Lupe tells a different story in the interview.. check it out yourself.

PREVIOUSLY: Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way [Audio]

Pete Rock issues Press Release regarding T.R.O.Y. Remake

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Pete Rock issuesd a full press release about T.R.O.Y. and Lupe's remake. Check it out below.

“The storm is over and it’s time to move on,” says iconic Hip Hop producer Pete Rock. After two and a half days of heated discussion and debates within the Hip Hop community about Lupe Fiasco’s remake of Pete Rock’s classic Hip Hop song (T.R.O.Y. / They Reminisce Over You), the legendary producer gives a full statement: “There is no Pete Rock vs. Lupe Fiasco and there never was. Lupe called me last night for the first time about the remake of my song and we worked out our differences. With that, we can do business together and focus on what we both love to do, which is make great music.”

On Monday (May 21st), GRAMMY® Award winning rapper Lupe Fiasco released the lead single Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free) from his forthcoming album. The song, produced by SimonSayz and B-Side, is the artists’ take on T.R.O.Y., a Hip Hop staple originally released in 1992 by hip hop duo Pete Rock and CL Smooth on their debut album Mecca and the Soul Brother.

According to the explosion on social media that began on Monday, the Pete Rock classic holds an “untouchable” and “sacred” place in Hip Hop music history given the tragic circumstances surrounding why the song was made. Troy Dixon (aka Trouble T Roy), who was part of the group Heavy D and The Boyz, died accidentally in 1990. Dixon’s close friends, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, would later release Mecca and the Soul Brother which featured the tribute song. It was instantly heralded as a classic. Reflecting on this and the passing of his cousin, Hip Hop trailblazer Heavy D (who died unexpectedly just six months ago), Pete Rock explains the emotions behind his Twitter timeline: “The whole meaning behind T.R.O.Y. is that it’s a song about showing respect and doing what’s right. That can’t be down played. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about Troy and Heavy. All my emotions are front and center, especially now. But as long as respect is given where respect is due, then it’s all good. That’s why we’re moving forward.”

June 9th marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Mecca and the Soul Brother. Pete Rock will announce his new projects on this milestone date.

Stream: MTV RapFix Live w/ Lupe Fiasco x A$AP Rocky

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Lupe and A$AP are on RapFix Live today. Peep the live stream above and tweet your questions using the tag #rapfixlive to @MTVRAPFIX

UPDATE: Lupe wasn't even on the show. No idea what happened there.

Vans OTW Collection Fall 2012: The Piercy x The Alcon

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Here's a first look at 2 new shoes out of the Vans OTW Fall 2012 Collection. The Alcon (above on the left) is a slimmed-down, narrowed up version of the Alomar. The Piercy (on the right) is a deluxe update to the Bedford. Both sneakers will be released in June. Check out more pics below!

Pete Rock & Lupe Fiasco settle differences over "T.R.O.Y" remake!

noreply@blogger.com (Al Amend) — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:03:00 +0000

Well, that was fast. Pete Rock just went on Twitter and said the following:

I just got off da phone lupe, we worked out our differences and we bout to get it in. Gonna be epic and we gonna give Troy and hev the proper respect they deserve and make history with lupe.

Hopefully a collaboration comes out of this sooner than later. Simonsayz, co-producer of "Around My Way", also took to Twitter and addressed the situation:

1st and last time I will speak on this... The interprelation of @PeteRock's Troy was never meant to offend. To be honest, it wasn't something that I asked or even jumped at the opportunity to do. I'm much happier to bring my own original ideas to the ears of music lovers, of which I have plenty coming out this year.

However, sometimes in this business it's hard legally to get clearance to utilize samples or original tracks. The record was written over the Troy beat and Lu's camp felt strongly that it needed to stay there. I thought what Lu wrote was incredible and relevant to this day and age and that it was a dope juxtaposition over such an iconic beat.

Lu and his camp are my family so when I was asked, not only did me and my partner say yes, We stepped up to the plate without an ego and painstakingly did our absolute best to stay true to the original without trying to flip or put our own spin. BTW, just saw Pete's latest tweet about call w/Lu... Glad u worked it out. Didn't know you had an issue with Lu, tho... Thought it was all on me and my partner!!! LOL.... Peace, Blessings and mad respect.

B-Side (Around My Way Producer) Responds to T.R.O.Y. Remake

noreply@blogger.com (Rhymestyle) — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:54:00 +0000

Looks like B-Side, who co-produced Around My Way, has a thread going on on the Soulstrut forum regarding the whole remake controversy:

Yes, its a remake of T.R.O.Y, .... Yes, I did it. Me and my production partner DJ Simonsayz produced it.

It was something he wanted to do, and I thought his lyrics were cool. We did it with no samples, as per instruction, and it was pretty damn tough to pull off. I think we did a pretty good job. I did not know that Pete Rock would be so pissed..... Truth be told, I thought he was in the loop with it.. but no matter.

I certainly didn't intend to come out and shit on pete rock in any way. He's always been one of my biggest influences, and he's a hip hop legend. It feels kind of bad to have one of your idols come out and diss you. But I understand his perspective. I will say that the vast majority of kids I talk to have never heard the original, and maybe this will get them to go back and pay attention to the first record.

The legal issues with using the original made it pretty impossible from a modern major label perspective, My intent was to pay tribute in the best way I could and maybe make something cool and new, with an obvious homage to the original version.

I have tons of original beats, people that know me on here know that. Its not even the first time I've been asked to remake this track for someone. All in all I thought it came out pretty dope.

Maybe I shouldnt even be speaking on this, but there it is. Redoing it gave me a new appreciation for Pete's original production and how intricate and complicated it was. I dont blog and I'm not active on twitter, so I figured Id put this here.

Anyways, you can hate me now. I'm just trying to get over like the rest of yall though.

Peace, B

More below:

I mean, i know it probably doesn't mean anything, but my version was made with no samples. We called in a sax player and everything. When you look at the original, its a sample of tom scott, covering a Jefferson airplane song and using james brown drums. Not really possible to use these days.

I can't really blame anyone who knows the original for not being excited for the remake, but theres a lot of kids out there that have never heard the original before.

For what its worth, Tom Scott gave his blessing. Technically Im not even sure we needed to clear things that far as its an interpolation of a cover song.

I've got a couple other joints with dude that will hopefully make the album that are much more original. In the meantime, its cool to say I have a single for a major artist. I've been doing this shit a long time without that. No one can say I havent paid my dues.

Just wanted to come back to the strut to talk about it. Cause if it weren't for this place, I probably wouldn't have known the original in the first place. I hope that it helps to know I worshipped at the alter of mecca and the soul brother, and have tracked my own copy of honeysuckle breeze out of the dollar bins years ago.

I did my best to keep things as funky as tom scott's Birkenstocks, and I hope Pete will see this as the honest tribute it was meant to be eventually.

Oh well, hopefully y'all enjoy it and hear something more original from me next!

In my opinion, and this is no disrespect to anyone, it's all fair game. I mean sampling/remixing is one of the fundamentals of Hip Hop that actually helped birth the culture. On top of that, you can tell that this record was meant to up Hip Hop and pay homage to a classic record. I mean even Pete Rock sampled the beat when he originally made it. Honestly, none of us have the "authority" to label a record/sample/etc as an untouchable one.

What do you all think about this situation and just sampling in general? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.

Props Egotripland via Soulstrut

Blu samples Lupe Fiasco for "Kiss The Sky"

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:15:00 +0000

This track has actually been floating around online for some time now but just got its official release today. It includes a vocal portion of Lupe's "Kick, Push". - Check it out!

Video: Lupe Fiasco visits The Morning Riot

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Lupe Fiasco talks with WGCI's Tony Sculfield and the Morning Riot about Food and Liquor 2, Pete Rock, the youth movement in Chicago rap, and lessons he's learned from speaking his mind.

Lupe says he got Pete Rock's blessing to remake the T.R.O.Y. beat prior to releasing the track. Also says that he had full control over Food & Liquor 2, no label interference.

Lyrics: Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:28:00 +0000

The good folks over at RapGenius come through with the lyrics for Lupe's new track and explanations to every line, as usual. Check the lyrics HERE

PREVIOUSLY: Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)

Lupe Fiasco set to appear on MTV's RapFix Live!

noreply@blogger.com (Al Amend) — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Along with A$AP Rocky, Lupe will be on the RapFix Live couch tomorrow at 4PM ET. Sway never lets MC's leave without spitting a few bars first, so be sure to tune in!

Lupe Fiasco to shoot video for New Single in Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (LUDVIK) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:14:00 +0000

Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) just dropped a few hours ago and we can already report that there will be a video for it, shot in Chicago. Stay tuned.

Props: RH