Artist: Lupe Fiasco

Currently one of the coolest rappers in the game, Lupe Fiasco – who rightfully appeared on the cover of RWD’s Revenge of the Nerds issue – represents hip hop like no other. Lyrically deep and often too cavernous for the average ear – addressed in his recent smash Dumb It Down - our transatlantic conversation (about the industry, what he’s wearing to the Grammys and… Resident Evil) is so cool it had to be split into two parts… interview by Danny Walker

Hey Lupe, how is it going?
I’m good. How are you doing man?
Good good. Where are you right now?
Erm, Los Angeles.
Do you remember your RWD cover? You were reading Captain America…
Yeah, I remember, I remember.
Apparently you really liked that?
Yeah, I got tones of copies.
That’s all good. What did you think of the issue?
I really liked it. It was really pretty dope. That issue was pretty fresh.
[Without taking all the credit, I swiftly move on] You didn’t mind us dedicating a whole geek issue to you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So how has Lupe been since Food and Liquor?
I’m good. You know… busy. I’m kinda just geeking my way through this stardom I guess.
Are things getting easier or harder?
I guess it’s getting medium [laughs]. It’s less extreme. Kinda stuff is expected. It’s kinda becoming a nice dull little world. Another party, another gig… another, ok. The shows have been more exciting though. The attendance and the response to the shows have been crazy.
So have you still got that hunger?
Yeah, to perform. To do music, yeah. I hate recording music though. I hate the recording industry. It’s like, you love to do it but you hate to give it to the people, the record label. For the fans it’s lovely, that’s what keeps me going is my fans.
So you hate handing in that finished LP to the people at Atlantic? Is that a fear of rejection or…
No… it’s like cos you know you’re getting a raw deal. Cos you know you’re not making the money you should be making. You’re just like ‘damn man damn’.
So what have you bought recently? Whenever we speak to you, you have some fresher clothes or gadgets… How are your Maharishi stock levels?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maharishi send me boxes, cos I’m going back to the Grammys [another nomination for Daydreaming]…
Congrats…
Thanks. Yeah, I hit them hard. I called them up and asked for another suit – they made my suit for last years – so yeah, I’m still live and kicking with the Mar-har.
What about Artful Dodger?
Yeah, I was one of the first dudes to wear Artful Dodger and really put it on blast so I dig that. I’m working with a few brands too.
Who should we look out for?
A brand called False out of Singapore and Surrender – out of the UK actually.
Being a fan of the comic, you are the best person to ask. What did you think of the Transformers film?
Na… that was kinda whatever.
So it wasn’t on the same level as Star Wars?
Oh, na [laughs].
So what films are you feeling at the moment?
I think Shoot Em Up is dope and the latest Resident Evil.
What would you give that out of 5?
I’d give it like a 4. I love Milla Jovovich. I love her character. I think she is dope.
What is your favourite bit from that film?
When she used her psychic powers to burn up the birds.

For more check part two where Lupe reveals who is better Nintendo or SEGA, breaks down how Dumb It Down came about and bizarrely pauses mid-interview to BOOK CHRIS BROWN TICKETS!!!

The Cool is out now.

For Part 2 - click here.

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