Never even heard of Lupe Fiasco until I saw him recently on TV. Then I read about him on the Grio blog and wondered in amazement at his remarks and lack of political acumen. Power to the people???
Excerpts from the Grio Blog post
In the world of socially conscious hip-hop emcees, you've got your key players: Common, White House favorite and sort of a white-bread-kente-cloth-let's-all-get-along type; Mos Def, an outspoken motor mouth and Real Time with Bill Maher favorite; and then lesser knowns like Dead Prez, a duo who never quite reached critical mass, but maintain dreams of militant social justice.
Rapper Lupe Fiasco threw his hat into the political emcee ring from jump, broadly expressing his anti-establishment views, and rhyming on topics like the trials and travails of single-motherhood, and the delusions of gangsta greatness. He set himself apart from the typical rapper by avoiding vulgar language (including the normative "bitch" and "ho"), and proudly proclaiming his Muslim faith. His unique qualities attracted a firm fanbase, fellow intelligentsia and aspiring world changers who saw Lupe as a beacon of hope in the often shallow and vapid culture of hip-hop.
But can a rapper be too political? Lupe's latest comments may leave some fans thinking he's gone off the deep end. On a recent TV appearance, Lupe called President Obama "the biggest terrorist in the United States of America."
Lupe appeared on CBS' What's Trending to talk about his recent work, and when the conversation turned to his politically charged single "Words I Never Said," Lupe clarified his political beliefs. "My fight against terrorism, to me," Lupe began, "the biggest terrorist is Obama in the United States of America. I'm trying to fight the terrorism that's causing the other forms of terrorism."
But then it got worse. As Lupe continued to spout his disappointments in U.S. foreign policies, the interviewer asked who he'd be voting for in the upcoming 2012 election.
"No, I don't vote," he said. "I don't get involved in politics. It's meaningless."
Huh? Watch the five minute clip to hear the full political rant, but even in live person it doesn't come off much better -- Lupe's beliefs are extreme, borderline offensive, and somewhat illogical. So could calling the president a terrorist run Lupe's career into the ground?
Read more at The Grio Blog
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