Lupe Fiasco’s differences with Atlantic Records have been common Hip Hop knowledge for years. During a concert appearance last month, the Chicago rapper offered some insight into just how rocky the relationship with his label actually is.
According to the veteran MC, following the release of 2011’s L.A.S.E.R.S., which came with its own batch of drama with the imprint, he was no longer inclined to put his “all” into anything being released by Atlantic.
“Since L.A.S.E.R.S., I’ve never really put my all in a project because I felt that Atlantic didn’t deserve shit. So, I took a L,” Fiasco said.
Prior to fessing up to taking the L post-L.A.S.E.R.S., Fiasco addressed his most recent project, DROGAS Light.
“DROGAS Light was almost like a compilation of old-ass songs that we had just kinda laying around,” he said. “Because I made a promise to myself … around like L.A.S.E.R.S., I knew that there was gonna be some bullshit. So I was like, ‘You know what? I will never, ever, ever, as long as I’m on this label, give this label my heart. What I really believe in. What I’m truly feeling.’ Cause I feel like if you’re working with somebody they have to show you some love back. And show that they deserve your work and your time.”
Fortunately for fans, Fiasco’s next project, DROGAS Wave, marks the return of the “fully complex, fully involved Lupe Fiasco.” He also declared the album is “amazing.”
“DROGAS Wave, which is the next album after DROGAS Light … I’m not even saying this to sell records and get you all hyped up,” Lupe said. “I’ve heard shit. Shit is amazing. Shit is gonna be fucking crazy. From DROGAS Wave on, you’ll be getting the fully complex, fully involved Lupe Fiasco. And the best thing about it is it’s already done.”
Pretty incredible consider how great “Tetsuo…” was…
*…considering…
He tweeted saying He owed the fans that album so he went hard in it.
That Testou and Youth shit was hard tho.
You know?
Fully complex Lupe from Wave on… yes! Thank god
your brand though lupe…
in an attempt to rebel against your label, your fans also caught the brunt. your product (music) is everything. that should never be compromised. Give it 100, get out of your deal, and bring your buzz, your wave with you wherever you choose next
do not sabotage your window of opportunity because a greedy label wants whats yours
let them eat
then shop your talents. as long as your fanbase is with you you’re golden
Exactly!!
WTF this nig talking about?
Drogas light wasn’t even released by Atlantic. It was released by 1st and 15th Productions independently.
He definitely took an L because he released an BS album on his own.
Step your game up LF.
Exactly. He’s just talking out of his a** once again. Fame ruins a majority of artists over time and he’s definitely no exception. Sill a fan, but barely hanging on at this point. His arrogance is his downfall.
Watch this WAVE be garbage too. Lupe always has some complex excuses.
Mark thy words
If Lupe cut his hair and returned to the soulful sounds and samples he could recharge his career and perception
Same for wale and j cole. Great artist with poor public perception. It’s the hair hahaha.
I read an article recently that the hair can make or break an artist career i.e. Weeknd.Yachty
J Cole didn’t fall off tho….he just made an album for only black ppl last December lol. Before that, ROTD2 was dope af. As for Wale tho, absolutely. Dude fell off a cliff and still acts like he’s gonna be good one day.
The Album About Nothing was a top 3 best album of 2015. What do people be talking about and listening too???
Yeah, yeah! We’ve heard it all before, Lupe. Get rid of your social media accounts and let the music do the talking. Your pretentious attitude is what’s killing your vibe.
I’m a big Lupe fan, but sometimes it seems like he can be the pettiest motherfucker out there. Like, okay he doesn’t like his old label, but did he really think it was a good idea to sabotage his own albums on Atlantic by never giving it his all? By trying to get revenge on Atlantic, he only hurt himself. Anyone who wasn’t absolutely petty and short sighted could see that.
Tetsuo was great, so if he could pull that off without putting his all into it, then I want to see what he does independently. But if Drogas Light was just the leftovers of his half-assed-Atlantic years, then why did he bother to put it out at all? He should have just left it alone to focus on putting out something real.
Yeah I was thinking the same thing. If drogas light was just a bunch of old songs he didnt even like, then why put it out?
But funnily enough I actually like the album. It’s not upto Lupe’s standards, but there is some sharp lyricism in most of the tracks and the production bumps.
He was definitely lying about them being leftovers. I wonder if he’s even allowed to keep songs of his while under Atlantic. For example, the songs with Ty dolla sign would have been paid for by Atlantic, studio time and all. They wont just let him have the songs for free
For real. That’s a good point, I hadn’t thought of that. I really don’t know what to think of Lupe at this point. I was at a Brother Ali show recently and had VIP tickets. From What Ali said about Lupe, Lupe kind of sounds like a scumbag. That’s hard for me to say, since I’m a big fan of both artists, but Lupe is making it really hard to keep liking him.
F&L2 was released by Atlantic and it was a solid album. In fact Lasers is his only bad album released by Atlantic.
Drogas Light he released independently, and it’s not that bad a project.
I thought Drogas Light was ok, average album… but it had 3 bangers on it. After hearing kdot DAMN i can honestly say Drogas Light is a better album. Suprise. Hell, even Tetsuo and Youth was better than DAMN.
Wow. Okay, 1st Drogas Light was not even close to being on the same level as DAMN and second Tetsou and Youth was one of, if not THEE, greatest albums ever made. Those that actually understand the album and know the depth of it will agree.
Completely agree
Tetsuo & Youth was actually a really good album, Lupe’s talking this shit now because he knows he’s lost a lot of fans since LASERS. He’s trying to say that everything since then has been subpar due to Atlantic, but that clearly wasn’t the case. Hell, he named F&L 2 “The Great American Rap Album”. So either he was trolling or he truly believed it, and he put work into it. He’s just not at the same level as he was with his first two albums. Drogas light was ok at best, he was trying to infuse consciousness with trap but it doesn’t mix. DAMN was easily my least favorite K Dot album too, both Light and DAMN seemed to be going for the same thing, Kendrick was just lucky America adores him, something Lupe is currently lacking
Thank god for Lupe. Genius with the wordplay. My top 11: LF. COM. GFK. DOOM. MOS. RZA. NAS. BT. 2. R. GURU.
this is fucking embarrassing. he can’t even blame the big labels anymore, hasn’t he been independent for at least 2 records now? he’s like the male version of azalea banks, stop running your mouth on social media and bitching about everyone else in your life. you can never take him at his word. he always announces projects and never does them. and says every album is going to be his last album. but then the next one is going to be fire. Drogas Light wasn’t even that bad, but going out there and saying you don’t even like your own record makes people trust you less. you put out something you don’t believe in? and it’s everyone else’s fault? fucking lupe.
This is the realist comment of all time
Rekkington you’re a middle aged man in your 40’s your opinion is null and void at this point .
Even if it wasn’t his best effort, it’s still better than over half the shit that’s out. Lupe is def top 3 as far as consistent rappers go.
Yo I loved Drogas Light….but its not typical Lupe …its like Lupe meets trap rap…:P
I don’t get the hate for Lasers I think its a lot better than anything he’s done recently. Drogas Light was his worst album easily and secondly I would like the Skate Boarding Kick Push Lupe back, Lupe’s new shit I’m not really feelin
So I’m assuming Drogas Lite was last contractual album with Atlantic if not then with Drogas Wave will it be the same ol’ same ol have hearted music? This not making sense
Drogas Light wasn’t on Atlantic at all. His last Atlantic album was Tetsuo & Youth. This really doesn’t make sense.
It’s weird, his contract was up with Atlantic after T&Y, but Drogas Light was still for Atlantic. Drogas Wave is 100% indie
1st and 15th produced it, but Atlantic still owned distribution at the time, so Drogas Light was still under Atlantic as his 6th album obligation.
Let’s get it Lupe!!