Common, Lupe Fiasco, Jennifer Hudson & No I.D. – We Can Do It Now
A video inspired by the track written for Season 3 of REPLAY:
Tag: Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Common, Lupe Fiasco, Jennifer Hudson, No I.D. – We Can Do It Now video
A video inspired by the track written for Season 3 of REPLAY: REPLAYtheSeries.com
To continue the campaign of getting our urban youth to show up at the polls during the November 2nd midterm elections, The League of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF) has teamed up with DJ Willie Shakes (host) for an allstar mixtape.
Comprising of the best political/civc engagement based hip-hop songs, The League of Young Voters Education Fund Presents: Numbers Don’t Lie: The November 2nd Edition features musical heavyweights including Lyfe Jennings, J.Cole, Yelawolf, Paul Wall, Glasses Malone, Jay Electronica, MURS, Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco, Lauryn Hill, Janelle Monae and more.
The goal? To activate not only urban youth, but our young adults as a whole to stand up and fight for the issues they want to see changed in their neighborhoods and states by using the power of voting.
We would love to feature this mixtape on the site. Below is the tracklisting, as well as a DL link to the mixtape and artwork. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
Numbers Don’t Lie: The November 2nd Edition Mixtape DL Link
Mixtape artwork
Numbers Don’t Lie: The November 2nd Edition Mixtape Tracklisting
Intro – Numbers Don’t Lie – DJ Willie Shakes
Statistics – Lyfe Jennings
BMF Freestyle – Lupe Fiasco
People Kill People – Rock City
Good Evening – Mac Miller
Issues – 810
Problems – J. Cole
I Wish – Yelawolf ft. Raekwon
Cold War – Glasses Malone
Live It – Paul Wall ft. Raekwon, Jay Electronica
Influential – Safs Crew
The Problem Is – Murs
Black is Beautiful – Fowl
Repercussions – Lauryn Hill
Cold War – Janelle Monae
About The League of Young Voters Education Fund:
The League of Young Voters Education Fund makes civic engagement relevant by meeting young people where they are, working on the issues that affect their lives, and providing them with tools, training, and support to become viable players in the civic process. Our target constituencies are young people, people of color and non-college youth, so a large part of this engagement is and always has been hip-hop influenced. LYVEF was founded on a movement: hip hop, a collection of artists and activists using their creative talents to empower their people. This empowerment resonates deeply with our message and is part of the backbone of our outreach. Over the years, LYVEF has seen a significant divide between the urban blogging/new media communities and the youth political movement.
THE ASCENT BEGINS: KENNA, JESSICA BIEL, EMILE HIRSCH, LUPE FIASCO, ELIZABETH GORE AND FRIENDS EMBARK ON SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: KILIMANJARO TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE GLOBAL CLEAN WATER CRISIS KENNA OFFERS FREE DOWNLOAD OF NEW SONG “TURN” IN SUPPORT OF SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: KILIMANJARO
(13,640 Ft, Mt Kilimanjaro ) – The last two days, Kenna, Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist, “actionist” and mastermind behind SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, began the week long trek, on Thursday, January 7, up Kilimanjaro joined by Emile Hirsch, Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Santigold as well as many of the world’s brightest minds and major cultural influencers (complete list below), for the ascent to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis. Since originally announcing SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro last year, the project has raised awareness of the global clean water crisis as well as funds on www.summitonthesummit.com for The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Water For People’s Playpump Technology. The expedition is also being documented and produced by Radical Media, Procter & Gamble Productions and Fury League Inc. for a documentary to run on MTV on March 14 at 9pm/8pm CST.
For Kenna, the vision behind SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro stems from his drive to create a greater good for our youth and has personal meaning as his father was deeply affected by water-borne illness as a child in Ethiopia and his uncle had passed away from a related illness’ as well. Kenna has inspired his influential friends to join the climb which include:
* Jessica Biel, Actress (upcoming Valentine’s Day and The A-Team) · Lupe Fiasco, Grammy-Nominated musician · Isabel Lucas, Actress (Transformers 2) · Santigold, Musician · Emile Hirsch, Actor (Into the Wild and Milk) · Alexandra Cousteau, National Geographic Emerging Explorer and grand-daughter of famed explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau · Elizabeth Gore, Executive Director for Global Partnerships for the United Nations Foundation · Simon Isaacs, International Development and Water Expert · Michael Muller, Award Winning Photographer Michael Muller · Jimmy Chin, Award Winning Photographer · Kick Kennedy, Environmental Activist and Granddaughter of Robert Kennedy · Bernise Ang, Social Entrepreneur and Recipient of the YouthActionNet Award & Fellowship from the International Youth Foundation · Dr. Greg Allgood, Director of the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program at Procter & Gamble · Melissa Arnot, Mountaineering Expert · Jason Walsh, Renowned Trainer and Movement Specialist Participants of the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro team have been blogging and discussing the issue of water alongside educators who are leaders at the forefront of global issues. As a team they have been learning of solutions to the problem, discussing how to improve social awareness and embracing the idea that they are now the example for showing ways to take action and give back to those with little or nothing.
Supporters can follow the action and interact with the climbers through the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro website (http://www.summitonthesummit.com) which is being updated daily with additional communication through Facebook, Twitter (@sotsk) and a dedicated climber blog (http://www.sotsk.tumblr.com). Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and training that went into the climb from a series of web videos, keep track of climbers’ progress on the mountain with the help of GPS trackers, plus stay informed and interact throughout the climb. Those who wish to contribute to the cause may sponsor a foot on the site or purchase products with proceeds going towards the cause.
In addition to HP, the official technology partner, PU¯R Water Filtration, providing financial support and water filtration solutions, and First Ascent by Eddie Bauer, outfitting the entire climb, Microsoft has joined SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT as the official Expedition Software of SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, joining in support of raising awareness of the global clean water crisis. The base camp will be outfitted with the high-powered HP TouchSmart PC featuring Windows 7 touch enabled software to help track each climber’s progress, monitor weather conditions and capture every aspect of the climb. All funds raised by SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro will be managed and distributed through the United Nations Foundation, the project’s charitable advisors.
Kenna has also just released a new track titled “Turn” that is available for download, free for a limited time at http://www.myspace.com/Kenna
“TURN is a song about journeys in life and the need to make decisions to change, even when everything seems like it’s going well. Take a risk on doing something great, even if you leave behind something comfortable” says Kenna about his new song. In exchange for the free download, listeners are asked to help support SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro by making a donation to sponsor a foot of the climb at http://www.summitonthesummit.com. The 19,340 foot tall website lets you follow the SOTS:K climbers every step of the way via photos, videos, and tweets straight from the mountain.
EMILE HIRSCH JOINS KENNA’S SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: KILIMANJARO ALONG WITH JESSICA BIEL, ISABEL LUCAS, LUPE FIASCO, SANTIGOLD AND MORE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE GLOBAL CLEAN WATER CRISIS
Today, Kenna, Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist, “actionist” and mastermind behind SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, has confirmed that actor, Emile Hirsch, will be joining Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Santigold as well as many of the world’s brightest minds and major cultural influencers, for the ascent to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis, beginning January 7, 2010. Since originally announcing SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro in September 2009, the project has begun to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis as well as funds on www.summitonthesummit.com for The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Water For People’s Playpump Technology. All funds raised by SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro will be managed and distributed through the United Nations Foundation, the project’s charitable advisors.
“When Kenna called me about joining the team for SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT, I could hardly contain my excitement-combining an epic adventure with an educational process on the global water crisis, and finding a creative way to engage people towards an important and charitable cause, this climb is something special I couldn’t miss” said Emile Hirsch. “I hope we can inspire as many people as possible in doing this, as well as learn more about the water crisis ourselves, and what we can do in our everyday lives. And put this on the books; I’m making it to the top.”
For Kenna, the vision behind SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro stems from his drive to create a greater good for our youth and has personal meaning as his father was deeply affected by water-borne illness as a child in Ethiopia as his father’s own brother had passed away from the illness’ as well. Kenna has inspired his influential friends to join the climb which in addition to Hirsch include Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Santigold, plus educators such as Alexandra Cousteau, National Geographic Emerging Explorer and grand-daughter of famous explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Elizabeth Gore, Executive Director for Global Partnerships for the United Nations Foundation, Simon Isaacs, international development and water expert, award winning photographers Michael Muller and Jimmy Chin, Kick Kennedy, environmental activist and granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, and Bernise Ang, avid social entrepreneur and recipient of the YouthActionNet Award & Fellowship from the International Youth Foundation. All of the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro participants have been in intense physical training to prepare for the seven day, fifty mile experience to the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The climbers will discuss the issue of water alongside educators who are leaders at the forefront of global issues. As a team they will be learning of solutions to the problem, discussing how to improve social awareness and embracing the idea that they are now the example for showing ways to take action and give back to those with little or nothing.
Supporters will have an opportunity to follow the action as it is happening and interact with the climbers through the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro website with additional communication through Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and training that went into the climb from a series of web videos, keep track of climbers’ progress on the mountain with the help of GPS trackers, plus stay informed and interact throughout the climb. From the mountain, the team will be communicating with blogging, status updating, uploading photos and videos from Mt. Kilimanjaro with fans at Kilimanjaro website. Those who wish to contribute to the cause may sponsor a foot on the site or purchase products with proceeds going towards the cause.
In addition to HP, the official technology partner, P?R Water Filtration, providing financial support and water filtration solutions, and First Ascent by Eddie Bauer, outfitting the entire climb, Microsoft has joined SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT as the official Expedition Software of SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, joining in support of raising awareness of the global clean water crisis. The base camp will be outfitted with the high-powered HP TouchSmart PC featuring Windows 7 touch enabled software to help track each climber’s progress, monitor weather conditions and capture every aspect of the climb.
About Expedition Software by Windows 7
Windows 7 was designed to make your PC simple and the things you do every day easier. Simplicity was our mantra. So when we understood from Kenna just how difficult it was for millions around the world to access clean drinking water, we wanted to help by bringing the performance and reliability of Windows 7 to the expedition and help raise awareness for the Cause. Windows 7 is proud to join our partner HP as the official Expedition Software of Summit on the Summit.
HP’s Thin and Light notebooks and high-performance PC’s will run Windows 7 software. Windows 7 with advanced power management technology provides superior computing performance while extending the battery life for portable computers—crucial during the climb. Power enhancement technologies significantly reduce power usage and CO2 emissions. On a global scale, Windows 7 offers consumers and enterprises dramatic ways to reduce their environmental impact. Learn more We support the climb for clean water and urge you to do the same. Discover Windows 7 here
About HP
HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.
About P?R and the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program
P?R™ Water Filtration Systems, a Procter & Gamble (NYSE: P&G) brand and a leader in the water filtration category, is committed to providing clean drinking water in the U.S. and improving lives around the world along with P&G global corporate cause, the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program. The CSDW Program utilizes a water purifying technology developed by P?R scientists to help prevent water-related diseases by providing clean drinking water to children in developing countries. This technology is a small, easy-to-use powder sachet that removes impurities from dirty water. With every purchase of a home P?R Water Filtration System P?R donates a week’s worth of clean drinking water to a child in the developing world. For more information on P?R, visit www.P?Rwater.com. To make a donation to Children’s Safe Drinking Water or see how the technology works, visit www.csdw.org.
About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including PUR®, Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About UN Foundation
The UN Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation is an advocate for the UN and a platform for connecting people, ideas, and resources to help the United Nations solve global problems. We build partnerships, grow constituencies, mobilize resources and advocate policy changes to support the UN’s work for individual and global progress. The UN Foundation’s work – focused on select global problems – is decreasing child mortality, improving disaster relief, protecting diverse cultures and environments, creating a clean energy future, empowering women and girls, and improving U.S.-UN relations.
About Water For People’s Playpump Technology
Water for People’s Playpump Technology is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of children and their families by providing access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa. Water for People’s Playpump Technology has donated PlayPump water systems to schools and communities in South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia. For more information, visit www.playpumps.org.
About UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people. In more than five decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 6,600 people in more than 110 countries continues to help about 34 million persons.
About First Ascent
First Ascent is Eddie Bauer’s new line of expedition quality mountaineering gear and apparel developed by some of the world’s best mountain guides. First Ascent will provide all of the climbing apparel and gear for the “Summit on the Summit” expedition. For more information, visit firstascent.com.
ATL beat maker Drumma Boy nominated for “Producer of the Year” at Ozone Awards 2008 alongside nominees Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, T.I, Plies, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Jeezy, Soulja Boy & Andre 3000 as the classically trained musical prodigy holds chart topping singles “Put On” for Jeezy & Kanye West, “What’s Up” for T.I., “Tomorrow” for Rocko and upcoming tracks for Ludacris, Akon, Monica, Nelly, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Raheem Devaughn, Goapele, Dionne Farris, Keri Hilson and more
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Atlanta based producer Drumma Boy merges his unique musical influences ranging from German composer Beethoven to Academy Award winning Three 6 Mafia, combining classical chords with urban street sounds to create an ingenuity worthy enough of receiving a nomination for “Producer of the Year” at the upcoming Ozone Awards 2008. The ceremony will take place on August 11th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston Texas and will be hosted by comedian DeRay Davis best known from MTV’s Wild n’ Out. Other nominees include an array of the South Eastern region’s hottest talent Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, T.I., Young Jeezy, Andre 3000, Soulja Boy, UGK, Bun B., T-Pain, DJ Khaled, Usher, Scarface, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Trick Daddy, David Banner, Three 6 Mafia and Jermaine Dupri as well as multi-platinum artists Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco, Akon, Snoop Dogg and The Game.
The Memphis born Christopher Gholson who goes by the pseudonym Drumma Boy has been the beat maker and production catalyst behind tracks for many of the upcoming Ozone nominees including T.I., Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Yo Gotti, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Kanye West, David Banner, DJ Drama, Gucci Mane and Trey Songz. In the September 2007 issue of Ozone Magazine editors stated, “You can call 2007 a breakout year for producer Drumma Boy. Now that he tastes the sweet victory of mainstream success, this hit-maker from Memphis finds himself one of the game’s most sought after producers.”
The 24-year old rhythm architect and founder of Drum Squad Productions had a destiny solidified as a young child with a mother who was a well known opera singer and a father who was a professional clarinetist and music professor at the University of Memphis, the first African-American man to hold the 1st chair position in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. “My dad taught me everything I know about traditional music and had me playing the clarinet at age 5 but it was my mom that introduced me to Curtis Mayfield and 70’s oldie, so my style now is a reflection of all of that, classical, soul and street music.”
Given his moniker by a close friend for his unique drum patterns he followed in the footsteps of Memphis native Jazze Pha (Ciara, Nelly, Ludacris) and relocated to Atlanta in 2004. Now the highly sought after producer skillfully adds crispy, hard-hitting 808 bass lines with gentle touches of rhythmic change and chord progression to each beat he crafts and gives them to some of today’s hottest artists. He composes thick and textured sounds that take some producers years to perfect. It takes a special kind of artist to rock with him, which explains his impressive roster of hip hop acts that include Young Jeezy, T.I., Kanye West, Nelly, Ludacris, Scarface, Yo Gotti, Eightball & MJG, Young Joc, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, E-40, Rocko, Paul Wall and Lil’ Jon. Drumma Boy is fresh, as in innovative and expressive but more importantly, he’s admirably great at pushing boundaries; taking the art form into new realms of abstraction.
Currently labeled as one of the “hottest new producers” in the August 2008 issue of Vibe Magazine, Drumma Boy is enjoying credit for new singles including Jeezy’s “Put On” f/ Kanye West which has proven to be one of the summer’s hottest anthems while other recent tracks include “Juice Box” from Gorilla Zoe (Atlantic Records), “Tomorrow” from Rocko (So So Def/Island Records) and “Here I Am” from Rick Ross f/ Nelly (Def Jam Records). This Fall 2008 Drumma will be known as the man responsible for several songs off T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) including the single “What’s Up What’s Happening” as well as three additional tracks from Def Jam and multi-platinum recording artist Jeezy’s The Recession. With a gift to manufacture inimitable sounds the young virtuoso has been recruited into the studio this month with a wide range of artists including Monica, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Raheem Devaughn, Goapele, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, Rich Boy, Keri Hilson, Plies, Goapele, Dionne Farris and Jagged Edge.
His musicianship is incredible, having the ability to pour passion and conviction into whatever he does. His combination of multi-talent is one of many factors that separate him from the mainstream. His soul is soaked in the eccentricity of vintage Rhythm and Blues and P-Funk. He plays with this dichotomy of yesteryear classics and current trends to concoct sophisticated arrangements that fuse the arrogance of hip-hop with the slickness of R&B. The talented musician has not only fostered relationships with top notch artists such as Outkast, Trick Daddy, Cash Money, Pastor Troy and Killer Mike, but he also understands the importance of connecting with equally gifted writers, instrumentalists and producers like Johnta Austin and Jazze Pha.
Drumma Boy is famous for making diverse beats that range from rap, rock, classical and pop to soulful R&B ballads and gospel-inspired jams. He is as authentic as a creative artist can be, reading music with an educated ear while possessing the ability to instantly recognize the correct key. In addition to a learned knowledge, there is that burning desire he inherently possesses to win and maintain respect.
“Drumma Boy has a signature sound that can make an average artist sound great…truly he has grown into a “real producer” while some just “make beats” he has taken his sounds from the Hood 2 the Executive Suites and that’s the Bizniss” Jazze Pha
“Drumma Boy is up next!” T.I.
“Drumma Boy is the correct spelling for producer” Young Joc
“Because producers like Drumma Boy are making some serious noise. The album’s first single, “Put On,” Featuring Kanye West produced by Drumma Boy – a throbbing, chest-pounding anthem – does what Jeezy’s best songs always do; It furthers his legend with it’s might.” Vibe Magazine
“It’s clear Drumma has risen quickly to distinguish himself among the upper echelon of hip hop producers. His distinction lays with his classically trained ear along with his signature drum rolls and staggering 808’s.” The Source Magazine
“Despite the instrument reference in his name, Drumma Boy actually played the clarinet coming up. Classically trained by his father, the Memphis native upgraded from a woodwind to a Roland XP-50 at the age of 14. Drumma is making even more noise and looking forward to adding his Midas touch to upcoming projects from Jeezy and T.I. Watch him do his thang.” XXL Magazine
“When you hear one of Drumma Boy’s beats, you don’t just listen. You feel the 808 street bass, symphonic influences, horns and stirring string section. Hard knocking tracks like Young Jeezy’s “I Am the Realist” and “Standing Ovation” and Gangsta Boo’s stammering “Stacks on Deck’ and “Queen of the South” are prime examples of Drumma Boy’s limitless musical originality. Drumma’s present and future are as bright as the sun.” Grip Magazine
“With a penchant for chest-beating percussion and attitude-drenched synths, Drumma and his Drum Squad production unit have built a hefty catalog, including Scarface’s “Recognize,” Boyz N Da Hood’s “Trap Niggaz,” Paul Wall’s “Gimmie Dat,” and most recently, Plies & T-Pain’s “Shawty.” But it was really his work on Jeezy’s first album, “Thug Motivation 101”, that got the industry’s attention.” Scratch Magazine
“Atlanta producer Drumma Boy got his start as a producer and beat writer in his early teens. His mother and father both worked in music and gave him a solid grounding in the fundamentals. A few years go he made the move from Memphis to Atlanta where he began to network with the likes of Outkast and Trick Daddy.” Music Connection Magazine
“”Put On” is the first single from the forthcoming Jeezy album, and it’s a Jeezy track through and through up until the end with epically gothic Drumma Boy synth-twinkles.” Village Voice
“Drumma Boy is an exceptional young talent. Rarely is one able to identify producers who are not only able to create a unique sound with Hip Hop, but R&B as well. Drumma represents the grind. He represents the now. He represents…the future!” Johnta Austin
“Drumma Boy has his ear to the street because his sound is just that!! A very versatile producer and business man, he is hip hop’s “go to” man for a gritty visualistic sound. A producer can only dream of a resume like his.” DJ Drama
“Drumma Boy is one of the most driven producers out of Atlanta, with uniquely different beats.” LeToya Luckett
“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” EARNS RIAA GOLD; CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MC CELEBRATES WITH MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SUPPORTING KANYE WEST; “SUPERSTAR” CONTINUES TO SHINE AS NEW SINGLE, “HIP-HOP SAVED MY LIFE,” IS READIED FOR MAY IMPACT; GRAMMY-WINNING “DAYDREAMIN’” CURRENTLY FEATURED IN AT&T’S “CELEBRATE SPRING” TV PROMOTION
“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL,” the chart-topping second album from 1st & 15th/Atlantic recording artist Lupe Fiasco, has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000. The critically acclaimed album – which features the hit singles, “Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos)” and “Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Feat. Nikki Jean)” –debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its December 2007 release, and remained in the peak position for nine weeks.
In February, the Chicago-based MC earned his first-ever Grammy Award, bringing home the “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” trophy for last year’s smash, “Daydreamin’ (Feat. Jill Scott).” The track is now being featured in AT&T’s national “Celebrate Spring” ad campaign.
“Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos),” the first single/video from “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL,” is without doubt one of 2008’s foremost hits, maintaining its top 20 status on this week’s Billboard “Hot 100.” The track is also a top 10 sensation on the “Hot Rap Tracks” ranking, while still standing strong on a variety of other charts, including “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs” and “Hot Digital Songs.” What’s more, “Superstar” continues to score at radio, where it remains a top 20 favorite on both the CHR/Top 40 and Rhythmic airplay charts. The track is also drawing significant play at Urban outlets nationwide. The “Superstar” companion video – directed by the great Hype Williams – remains a hugely popular clip at all music video outlets, including MTV, BET, Fuse, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV TR3S, VH1 Soul, the N, and MUN2.
“Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Feat. Nikki Jean),” the album’s latest single/video, is slated to impact at multi-format radio outlets across the country in late May. It has already been added into rotation at the biggest hip-hop radio station in the country, New York’s Hot 97. The track’s companion video – directed by Dr. Teeth (T.I., Paul Wall, Mike Jones) – is already in play across the MTV spectrum, including MTV2, MTV Jams, MTV Hits, mtvU, and FUSE. The clip, which features a cameo appearance from rap icon Bun B, is now in “Up To The RC” rotation at BET, where Lupe recently made a stellar live appearance as part of the network’s annual Spring Bling coverage. “Hip-Hop Saved My Live” is also a top 10 success at BETJ.
In addition to his recent performance on BET, Lupe has made a variety of high-profile TV appearances in recent months, performing live on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, CBS’ Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno, PBS’ Tavis Smiley, MTV’s TRL, and the syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Surely one of hip-hop’s most electrifying and active live performers, Lupe is currently on a major North American tour, supporting his longtime friend and associate Kanye West on his blockbuster “Glow In The Dark Tour.” The trek is now lighting up arenas across the continent, with dates continuing through a June 13th finale at Cincinnati’s US Bank Arena (see attached itinerary). That very same day will see Lupe playing an additional set in Manchester, Tennessee at the Bonnaroo Music festival.
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Lupe Fiasco has quickly established himself as among the most compelling and creative artists of the era, offering a rare combination of complex, thought-provoking lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats. “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” sees the critically acclaimed rapper following up on 2006’s breakthrough, Grammy-nominated debut, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR,” by kicking and pushing against the boundaries of modern hip-hip. Loosely structured as a multi-character concept album detailing the “damaging influences” and “corrupt allure” of post-millennial Urban America, the set features such special guests as the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, with diverse and inventive production from Soundtrakk, UNKLE, Chris & Drop, and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.
The MC first made himself known with his featured appearance on Kanye West’s hit single, “Touch The Sky,” followed by the anthemic hit single, “Kick, Push.” As a result, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR” debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its September 2006 release, while also entering the Billboard 200 at #8.
The 25-year-old rapper soon proved to be the year’s biggest hip-hop breakthrough, garnering a trio of 2006 Grammy Award nominations, including “Best Rap Album,” “Best Rap Song,” and “Best Rap Solo Performance.” Other honors include his being named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists To Watch 2006” as well as GQ’s 2006 “Breakout Man of the Year, “not to mention an array of nominations from the BET Hip Hop Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the mtvU Woodie Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.
“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” drew instant critical acclaim upon its December release, coming in at #10 on Entertainment Weekly’s “The Best” list for 2007 – no mean feat considering the album was released with just two weeks left in the year. The album “recalls (Kanye) West’s pop versatility and positive flair,” EW declared, adding “Fiasco seems ready to join his former mentors in the big leagues.” The New York Times was equally effusive, calling “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” “one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.” USA Today awarded the album four stars, praising it as “a 19-track gem that showcases (Fiasco’s) intricate wordplay on everything from the rap industry and celebrity life to gun-toting youth and sexual violence.”
Online outlets were also quick to commend the collection, with Pitchfork giving it an 8.1 rating, declaring it “sprawling, grandiose.” “Lupe Fiasco is undoubtedly one of ‘The Coolest’ rappers to come along in the last ten years,” noted RapReviews.com in a 10-out-of-10 rave. HipHopDX.com rated “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” 4.5-out-of-5 Xs, pointing out that the set “proves that ‘FOOD & LIQUOR’ was no accident and it’s quite possible that the best has yet to come.” “Lupe demonstrates an innate virtuosity in his brainy approach to an often over simplified craft,” hailed AllHipHop.com in its 8-out-of-10 starred review, while Yo! Raps awarded the album 5-out-of-5 stars, explaining that it “has pushed the genre of hip hop music into a place where no emcee or artist will be able to lead hip hop into for awhile.”
Among Lupe’s biggest fans are hip-hop’s best and brightest stars, including Jay-Z, who told Blender that, “I love Lupe. He’s a genius writer.” What’s more, the legendary Rakim – without question one of rap’s all-time greatest talents – recently named Lupe as his favorite current MC, explaining that “there’s still a lot of artists and a lot of songs out there that’s good for you and still sound like that real hip-hop. The positive rap doesn’t get as much coverage as the negative rap, but people (like Lupe Fiasco) are trying to get back around to the lyrical stuff.”
LUPE FIASCO
ON TOUR 2008
All Dates w/Kanye West’s “Glow In The Dark Tour” Except *
April
26 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
27 Denver, CO Pepsi Arena
29 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center Arena
30 Austin, TX Frank Irwin Center
May
1 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
2 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
3 New Orleans, LA House of Blues *
4 Atlanta, GA The Arena @ Gwinnett Center
5 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
6 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
8 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
9 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
10 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
11 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
13 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
13 New York, NY S.O.B.s *
15 Boston, MA Tweeter Center
16 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Center
17 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
18 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion
20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
21 Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
22 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
23 Chicago, IL United Center
24 Chicago, IL United Center
24 Fargo, ND Fargodome
26 Manitoba, AB MTS Centre
27 Saskatoon, AB Credit Union Centre
29 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
30 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
June
2 Vancouver, BC GM Palace
3 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena
5 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
6 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
7 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
8 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
9 Salt Lake City, UT E Center
11 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
12 Moline, IL i wireless Center
13 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival *
13 Cincinnati, OH US Bank Arena
Lupe Fiasco – Hip Hop Saved My Life video featuring Nikki Jean
LUPE FIASCO IS “THE COOL”-EST SUPERSTAR IN HIP-HOP TODAY; GRAMMY-NOMINATED RAPPER’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD’S “TOP RAP ALBUMS” CHART, WHILE SCORING ACROSS-THE-BOARD CRITICAL PRAISE; CHICAGO MC IS FIRST MUSICAL GUEST ON LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN’S RETURN TO THE AIR; MAJOR CROSS-COUNTRY TOUR TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK
1st & 15th/Atlantic recording artist Lupe Fiasco is making waves from coast to coast with his just-released second album, “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL.” Highlighted by the hit single/video, “Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos),” the hugely anticipated collection debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1, remaining in the pinnacle position for what is now three consecutive weeks.
“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” has drawn instant critical acclaim, coming in at #10 on Entertainment Weekly’s “The Best” list for 2007 – no mean feat considering the album was released with just two weeks left in the year. The album “recalls (Kanye) West’s pop versatility and positive flair,” EW declared, adding “Fiasco seems ready to join his former mentors in the big leagues.” The New York Times was equally effusive, calling “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” “one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.” USA Today awarded the album four stars, praising it as “a 19-track gem that showcases (Fiasco’s) intricate wordplay on everything from the rap industry and celebrity life to gun-toting youth and sexual violence.”
Online outlets were also quick to commend the collection, with Pitchfork giving it an 8.1 rating, declaring it “sprawling, grandiose.” “Lupe Fiasco is undoubtedly one of ‘The Coolest’ rappers to come along in the last ten years,” noted RapReviews.com in a 10-out-of-10 rave. HipHopDX.com rated “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” 4.5-out-of-5 Xs, pointing out that the set “proves that ‘FOOD & LIQUOR” was no accident and it’s quite possible that the best has yet to come.” “Lupe demonstrates an innate virtuosity in his brainy approach to an often over simplified craft,” hailed AllHipHop.com in its 8-out-of-10 starred review, while Yo! Raps awarded the album 5-out-of-5 stars, explaining that it “has pushed the genre of hip hop music into a place where no emcee or artist will be able to lead hip hop into for awhile.”
“Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos)” is now poised to explode onto the radio airplay charts, with Rhythmic outlets nationwide giving the track its biggest weekly increase to date. In addition, the listeners at New York’s hugely influential Hot 97 have been showing the single big love, while the station’s programming staff was blown away by Lupe’s recent sold-out show at The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza. Along with the fantastic response in NYC, “Superstar” is picking up strong momentum in some of the country’s biggest major markets, including Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa, Hartford, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Hartford, Philly, Las Vegas, and San Diego.
The Chicago-based MC – who recently scored a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Urban Alternative Performance,” honoring last year’s hit single, “Daydreamin’ (Feat. Jill Scott)” – introduced “Superstar” to millions of new fans last week, performing as the musical guest on the return-to-the-air episode of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman.
Next month, Lupe will be the subject of the first February installment of MTV’s 52 Bands, a special feature segment that highlights one new artist per week, throughout the year. Furthermore, the “Superstar” companion video – directed by the great Hype Williams – was MTV2’s #2 most spun clip over the holiday week, while scoring additional play at MTV, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, and VH1 Soul. “Superstar” is also in “Large” rotation on BET’s Rap City, as well as in “Medium” rotation on the network’s overall playlist.
Unquestionably among hip-hop’s most electrifying and active live performers, Lupe celebrated the December release of “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” with a special “MySpace Presents The Release” concert at Honolulu, Hawaii’s Pipeline Café – Lupe’s first-ever Hawaiian live date. A full-scale US tour is set to take off on January 10th at Portland, Oregon’s Roseland Theater, with dates continuing through the end of the month (see attached itinerary). A majority of the shows – including those in Seattle, San Francisco, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York City – are already sold out, but a further slate of North American concerts will be announced shortly.
In addition to his performance itinerary, a series of in-store appearances are also scheduled in such cities as Portland, San Francisco, Encinitas, Las Vegas, Denver, Austin, and Dallas – full details can be found at Lupe’s official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/lupefiasco. One of MySpace’s top 5 current artists, Lupe maintains a vibrant online presence, including his own LupeFiasco.com (recently updated with a wide range of interactive features such as “THE COOLest” video game). Also, Lupe’s very own YouTube channel – located at www.youtube.com/lupefiasco – has logged over one million plays, with videos including “Superstar” and the banging street anthem, “Dumb It Down.”
An array of high-profile mobile initiatives also heralded the new album’s arrival, including early drops of “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” on Verizon and Sprint, as well as feature slots in all major off-deck and on-deck ringtone stores. A special Boost program – featuring a can’t-miss-it standup of Lupe – is now in effect at over 8,000 retailers nationwide.
* * * * *
Lupe Fiasco has quickly established himself as among the most compelling and creative artists of the era, offering a rare combination of complex, thought-provoking lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats. “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” sees the critically acclaimed rapper following up on 2006’s breakthrough debut, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR,” by kicking and pushing against the boundaries of modern hip-hop. Loosely structured as a multi-character concept album detailing the “damaging influences’ and ‘corrupt allure” of post-millennial Urban America, the set features such special guests as the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, with diverse and inventive production from Soundtrakk, UNKLE, Chris & Drop, and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.
The MC first made himself known with his featured appearance on Kanye West’s hit single, “Touch The Sky,” followed by the anthemic hit single, “Kick, Push.” As a result, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR” debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its September 2006 release, while also entering the Billboard 200 at #8.
The 25-year-old rapper soon proved to be the year’s biggest hip-hop breakthrough, garnering a trio of 2006 Grammy Award nominations, including “Best Rap Album,” “Best Rap Song,” and “Best Rap Solo Performance.” Other honors include his being named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists To Watch 2006” as well as GQ’s 2006 “Breakout Man of the Year, “not to mention an array of nominations from the BET Hip Hop Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the mtvU Woodie Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.
Among Lupe’s biggest fans are hip-hop’s best and brightest stars, including Jay-Z, who told Blender, “I love Lupe. He’s a genius writer.” What’s more, the legendary Rakim – without question one of rap’s all-time greatest talents – recently named Lupe as his favorite current MC, explaining that “there’s still a lot of artists and a lot of songs out there that’s good for you and still sound like that real hip-hop. The positive rap doesn’t get as much coverage as the negative rap, but people (like Lupe Fiasco) are trying to get back around to the lyrical stuff.”
(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)
LUPE FIASCO
On Tour 2008
JANUARY
10 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
11 Seattle, WA Showbox at the Market
13 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
14 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
15 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
17 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
18 Las Vegas, CA House of Blues
19 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
20 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
22 Austin, TX Emo’s
23 Dallas, TX House of Blues
25 Atlanta, GA The Roxy
27 Baltimore, MD Sonar
28 Norfolk, VA The Norva
30 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
31 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore at TLA
FEBRUARY
1 Richmond, VA Stuart C. Seigel Center
2 New York, NY Nokia Theatre
MARCH
1 New Haven, CT Yale University
25 Fredricksburg, VA Great Hall
“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” SET TO HIT SHELVES ON 12/18 ARTIST LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN ON LUPEFIASCO.COM TRACKLIST BOOSTS GUESTS APPEARANCES FROM SNOOP DOGG & UNKLE
Lupe Fiasco’s THE COOL album is scheduled to hit shelves on Tuesday, December 18th via 1st & 15th/Atlantic Records.
Fans can pre-order the album now at www.lupefiasco.com which is bundled with an exclusive COOL T-shirt (which cannot be purchased anywhere else).
Track listing:
1. BABA SAYS COOL FOR THOUGHT
2. FREE CHILLY (FEAT. SARAH GREEN AND GEMSTONES)
3. GO GO GADGET FLOW
4. THE COOLEST
5. SUPERSTAR
6. PARIS, TOKYO
7. HI-DEFINITION (FEAT. SNOOP DOGG AND POOH BEAR)
8. GOLD WATCH
9. HIP-HOP SAVED MY LIFE (FEAT. NIKKI JEAN)
10. INTRUDER ALERT (FEAT. SARAH GREEN)
11. STREETS ON FIRE
12. LITTLE WEAPON (FEAT. BISHOP G AND NIKKI JEAN)
13. GOTTA EAT
14. DUMB IT DOWN (FEAT. GEMSTONES AND GRAHAM BURRIS)
15. HELLO/GOODBYE (UNCOOL) (FEAT. UNKLE)
16. THE DIE (FEAT. GEMSTONES)
17. PUT YOU ON GAME
18. FIGHTERS (FEAT. MATTHEW SANTOS)
19. GO BABY (FEAT. GEMSTONES)