Lupe Fiasco dropped by DJ MoonDawg's show on 107.5 WGCI in Chicago last week to talk shop and premiere his new record off his highly anticipated LP Tetsuo & Youth (which is rumored to be dropping soon). The track has now fully surfaced and is slightly left-of-center in style, with a funky (and heavily chopped) sample carrying the entire song's melody. "Next To It" features Taylor Gang powerhouse singer/rapper/producer Ty Dolla $ign, who also co-produced the record alongside GRAMMY Award-winning Shafiq Husayn.
The F&F chief does this in the midst of being heavily involved in the United States' World Cup endeavors – he was publicly appointed Music Director and Futura Art Director last month – and working with the likes of Katie Couric in his goal to defeat cancer. Lupe's song "Mission" supports Stand Up To Cancer, an organization Couric helped launch in 2008. The song empowers people battling cancer and remembers those who have died fighting it. The track begins with introductions from cancer survivors telling their stories. For Lupe, it was personal as well. His grandmother died of breast cancer.
The rapper really has become more than even a rap superstar. He's looked to branch out beyond his realm and use his voice to impact people and matters that deserve the attention. An initiative truly inspiring to those following in his footsteps, no doubt. Peep "Next To It" below though, and be on the lookout Tetsuo & Youth later this year.
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