Lupe Fiasco: "Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)"

New single from Soundset 2012 performer Lupe Fiasco. Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album, Lupe's follow up to Lasers, should be in stores later this year. "Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)" is a re-creation of Pete Rock's all-time classic beat for "T.R.O.Y." and Pete Rock wasn't particularly happy about the decision (here's a select tweet, among numerous others). What are you thoughts on the song?

Initially spotted at Fake Shore Drive. Stream via Complex, after the jump.

Bassnectar: "Vava Voom ft. Lupe Fiasco" (Music Video)

Check out the video for Bassnectar's recent collaboration with Soundset 2012 performer Lupe Fiasco.

[Via Rolling Stone]

Bassnectar: "Vava Voom ft. Lupe Fiasco"

Rolling Stone just debuted the lead single to California DJ/producer Bassnectar's upcoming album. "Vava Voom" features Chicago emcee and Soundset 2012 performer Lupe Fiasco, who has been reaching over to dubstep for much of his production since his latest mixtape. I heard rumors that since Lasers sold so well, Lupe has finally generated some goodwill with Atlantic Records and earned more artistic freedom for his next album. It will be interesting to see whether he continues this foray into electronic music, or ventures back towards the style of his widely-loved debut Food & Liquor. What would you prefer to see him do?

Listen to the Bassnectar and Lupe Fiasco song "Vava Voom" via Rolling Stone

The Robert Glasper Experiment: "Always Shine ft. Lupe Fiasco & Bilal"

I meant to share this video yesterday but two nights ago on Letterman, Lupe Fiasco performed with The Robert Glasper Experiment, whose new album Black Radio is available now and worth your purchase.

Lupe Fiasco: "Words I Never Said" (Live on The Colbert Report)

Lupe Fiasco made an appearance on The Colbert Report last night. Check the videos below to catch him being interviewed by Colbert and performing "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now."

Lupe Fiasco: "Words I Never Said ft. Skylar Grey" (Music Video)

Lupe Fiasco: "Dumb It Down" + "I Gotcha" (Live)

Lupe recently performed at Blue Note with the Robert Glasper Experiment. You may remember the post I wrote about the Lupe/Kanye/Mos Def freestyle session at that show. Well now here are two videos from that show, courtesy of It's All The Way Live, who also has audio of the whole show, if you're interested.

Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Mos Def: 30 Minute Freestyle (Live at Blue Note, NYC)

Lupe Fiasco recently performed a series of 4 shows at New York City's Blue Note with the Robert Glasper Experiment. It's All The Way Live was in the building for that show, and was able to witness and record a full 30-minute cypher session when Lupe brought out special guests Kanye West and Mos Def. Here's what they had to say:

The trio freestyled, spit new verses, classic verses and then Mos did fantastic renditions of Umi Says and Black Radio, all backed by the incredible Robert Glasper Experiment. It was truly epic and the intimate venue made the performance even more special.

Sound like it was a great time. Check out the audio below, via It's All The Way Live. You can also stream it at their website.

Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Mos Def: 30 Minute Freestyle (Live at Blue Note, NYC)

Lupe Fiasco: "All Black Everything"

New Lupe Fiasco, this one will be off of the upcoming Lasers, available everywhere March 8. Stream only, but preorder the album of iTunes.

Lupe Fiasco: "H.A.M. Freestyle"

Lupe had a radio interview with Tim Westwood recently, and also kicked a freestyle over the recent Jay-Z/Kanye single "H.A.M." Lupe really tears this instrumental a new one, especially considering that he's actually freestyling on the beat. Hopefully Lu finds time to get in the studio to record an official freestyle, or something of that nature. Props to the LupEND Blog.

Lupe Fiasco: "H.A.M. Freestyle"

Lupe Fiasco: "Words I Never Said ft. Skylar Grey"

Above is a widget to stream the new single from Lupe Fiasco's long-delayed and anticipated Lasers, in stores on March 8. No download link for now, sorry folks. The song features the Chicago emcee waxing political over some bouncy synth-hop. The chorus is a little overdone, but Lupe's flow is absolutely on point, as always.

Lupe Fiasco: "The Show Goes On" (Music Video)

Official music video for Lupe Fiasco's "The Show Goes On". Lasers in stores on March 8, 2011.

Lupe Fiasco: "S.L.R. (Super Lupe Rap)"

New music from Lupe Fiasco, premiered by Fake Shore Drive. Andrew's got the full story over at his site, so go check it if you want the lengthy version. In short, though, apparently Soulja Boy took to XXL in an interview and referenced Lupe's rapping, saying, "I don't want to be super Lupe Fiasco lyrical." Lupe took this in jest, then quickly turned around and spazzed out for 6 minutes on this Soundtrakk-produced song.

It's always comforting to see musicians be uncompromising with their art. Lupe is one of those rappers. He won't "Dumb It Down", but the end result is often much more rewarding because of that. Plus, it's not like Lupe doesn't have a huge fan base. The Cool went gold, after all. Lupe might not cater to the same audience as Wacka Flocka Flame, but I don't think he wants to, either. It should stay that way.

Lupe Fiasco: "S.L.R. (Super Lupe Rap)"

Lupe Fiasco: "The Show Goes On"

After what seems like years of struggling to get his much anticipated third LP, Lasers, an official release, Lupe Fiasco is finally getting closer to that goal. Lasers will be out on March 8, 2011, and today he went on Ustream to release the first single to the album, "The Show Goes On". The Modest Mouse sampling song has a bubbly, poppy feel to it, not unexpected for a first single. Hopefully Lupe gets some radio play and love from the general public on this one, to help reinforce his label's confidence in him. The man is one of the best rappers out and should be in the position to release music without having to fight his way through all the politricks first.

Lupe's own website is not releasing the track for download, so I'm going to support the man and follow suit. Hit the link below to visit his site, where you can stream the song or purchase it.

Lupe Fiasco: "The Show Goes On"

Kanye West: "Don't Look Down ft. Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def & Big Sean"

Please don't let GOOD Fridays end once Kanye comes out with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (which is also now available for preorder on iTunes). Here's another killer treat from the Chicago artist. Enjoy your weekend!

Kanye West: "Don't Look Down ft. Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def & Big Sean"

Child Rebel Soldier: "Don't Stop!"

Seriously, I leave for Madison, WI for one weekend without my computer and a new Child Rebel Soldier song comes out? Their first track since "Us Placers" in 2007, in fact. I should spend more time away from the Internet if these types of things are going to happen.

Child Rebel Soldier: "Don't Stop!"

Lupe Fiasco: "Scream" (Live in South Korea)

The

YouTube tag doesn't specify which Korea Lupe is performing in, but I'm going to go out on a limb and assume it's not North Korea. Lasers coming... soon?

Lupe Fiasco: Steppin Laser Tour 2010 (Video)

Here are a some neat images from Lupe Fiasco's recent tour. Lupe's one of the best live performers in hip-hop, and if you ever get the chance to see him, I highly recommend you do so.

Lupe Fiasco "I"m Beaming" (Music Video)

B.o.B.: "Past My Shades ft. Lupe Fiasco"

Nah Right says this might not be the final version, but it's worth posting for the Lupe verse alone. The Adventures of Bobby Ray will be out April 27.

B.o.B.: "Past My Shades ft. Lupe Fiasco"