Lupe Fiasco is drawing inspiration from a diverse range of influences, including battle rap and Japanese culture, for his upcoming album. The rapper has announced his ninth studio LP, Samurai, set to release next month.
Following 2022’s DRILL MUSIC IN ZION, which was entirely produced by Soundtrakk, Fiasco and the producer are teaming up once more for this new album.
The project features eight tracks and offers a complex, thoughtful narrative. Through his music, Fiasco tells the story of an emerging artist navigating the battle rap scene, comparing the journey to that of a samurai warrior.
“I sometimes get tagged by my fans as not doing personal records, but I always tell people there’s me in there if you listen closely enough,” Fiasco said. “This album is one of my more personal records to date. It’s not a full biography, but my personal experiences are tied up in all of my music.”
“A lot of the records are me. Some are from the POV of a character, and some are me. The album interweaves aspects from my life as an artist, touching on things other artists go through.”
Along with the album announcement, Fiasco has released the soulful title track, “Samurai.”
Stream Lupe Fiasco’s “Samurai” on all platforms now. The full album drops on June 28.
