By shelz.

Music has become an industry that is almost always business before pleasure.  Gone, for most of these artists, are the one man grass roots movements that engendered creativity over which they had complete control.  Nowadays there is all this musical cross pollination.  You’re a wiz at one thing, so maybe that wizardry will follow you to the next venture, right?  Not always.  Sometimes, the Lil Wayne’s and Kanye’s of the world have to realize that cornering the Hip-Hop market doesn’t mean you got the best product on every block.

The latest to run into this road block to multiple genre success is Lupe Fiasco.  The latest of his tracks to hit the net is “What You Want,” a sort of R&B, ambient mid-tempo club tune. Sort of. It’s not a bad song in its construction.  The track is smooth, just some bass and digital puffs of sound really.  It has a decent hook and great lyrics.  Lupe can’t REALLY sing though.

Lupe is a phenomenal rapper.  I think most of us can agree with that.  However, it appears rap is now the little pond, rap fans are anchovies and everyone wants to be the big fish, and well, everyone can’t.

Maybe this move will work for Lupe. I’m not saying it won’t.  “Solar Midnight” wasn’t a bad song.  However, how much sense does it make to dip your feet in that other pond when you haven’t even fully swam the one you are in? 

Anyway, the song is about a cynical young woman who believes her indifference to all that is normal will catapult her beyond her very ordinary existence.  She dreams about being more than what she is and the darkness of the night and the disorienting flash of the strobe keep that fantasy alive for her.  One problem though, the sun comes up every morning.  That’s when she goes back to the anguish of her commonness.  It’s sad, but true.  I’m sure a lot of people believe they are destined for a greatness that never materializes.  Grand lyrics Mr Fiasco. A bit ironic considering the present circumstance.   

Don’t get any of what I said twisted, I’m all for personal growth.  I just don’t really understand the point of being an okay singer when you are a phenomenal rapper.  Someone fill me in.  Is it a contrived business move or is he on to something? When did being a rapper become so unhip?  Sigh. Listen and love or lambaste.

Lupe Fiasco- What U Want 01 What U Want