Lupe Fiasco recently finished recording a new 10-song album that he’s calling his Illmatic. Despite using Nas’ 1994 classic as a measuring stick, though, Lupe is looking to another rapper for inspiration to improve the project even further.
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On his new freestyle “Diet Soda Poetry,” a flip of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy opener “Champagne Poetry,” the Chicago MC credits Drake for pushing him to up his game in the studio.
“Just left album mode with me and my n-gga Trakk/And Drake dropped this shit, got me thinking about going back,” Lupe raps over the soulful second half of the “Champagne Poetry” beat.
This isn’t the first time Lupe has showed love to Certified Lover Boy. “Drake will always get a listen from me,” he tweeted upon the album’s release on September 3. “Entertaining, consistent and cool. And he be talking mad shit.”
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Lupe also wrote, “Champagne Poetry is my #1 running it back to back,” so it’s no surprise he jumped on the CLB beat for his latest freestyle.
Before fans assume Lupe Fiasco is Team Drake in the Donda vs. Certified Lover Boy debate that’s currently dominating barbershop conversations, however, Lupe also shouts out Kanye West and his late mother in his “Diet Soda Poetry” freestyle.
“I listened to Donda, I also listened to Kanye’s momma in real life/That means I’m real twice,” he raps.
The shout-outs don’t end there; Lupe also name-drops fellow Chicago rappers Common, Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa and GLC, as well as the late dub pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry, who passed away in late August.
One artist who isn’t getting love from Lupe, however, is Kid Cudi. “Fuck that n-gga,” the Chi-Town native tweeted earlier this month, confirming the pair’s long-standing beef is still very much alive.
Lupe Fiasco Is 'Not Exaggerating' As He Compares New Album To Nas' 'Illmatic'
“Diet Soda Poetry” is just the latest in a series of freestyles and loosies Lupe Fiasco has released on YouTube in recent months. He’s also tackled classic beats from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica, Cam’ron, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel and more.
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Fans will be hoping these lyrical exercises are a warm-up for Lupe Fiasco’s aforementioned 10-song album, which has yet to be given a release date. “There is currently NO RELEASE date scheduled,” Lupe tweeted on August 15. “When a release date is confirmed you will be told. Adjust your expectations accordingly.”
Lupe Fiasco’s last full-length album, DROGAS Wave, arrived back in 2018.
