Lupe Fiasco, “What U Want” MP3

Lupe himself confirmed this as a track from his new album Lasers but says it is unfinished, which brings him to the modern crossroads: when your track leaks, do you forge ahead as planned or do you pay attention to fans’ reactions and make changes to give them some surprising new final version? We always thought that leaking demos was actually a really smart way of warding off album snipers and rewarding those who wait, and since Lupe is attuned to internet and its whims, we have a feeling this already slow burner will probably end up being on repeat for spring/summer. And yes, that is a photo of Lupe and Howard Zinn. Did we miss something?



Download: Lupe Fiasco, “What U Want”

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Lupe Fiasco, “I’m Beaming” MP3

Two quick facts about “I’m Beaming”: it leaked on Christmas Eve, it started a tweetbeef between Lupe and YN, which seems about as dead as the Conan/Leno battle. And now on to the music. Produced by the Neptunes and presumably the second single off Lupe’s next album, Lasers, which may or may not burn it’s way through the steel vaults at Atlantic Records this year, it’s a lot less urgent than the “album”’s “first single,” the vitriolic and nerd-dense “Shining Down” and the Enemy of the State mixtape Lupe put out on Thanksgiving. But he does do a nice job of motivating us to do something. What that something is we’re not sure but we’re gonna do it. And if his recent hike up Kilimanjaro with Jessica Biel is any indication, Lupe walks the walk pretty good, though really, what dude wouldn’t follow Biel up a mountain for a week.



Download: Lupe Fiasco, “I’m Beaming”

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Exclusive Download: Jay-Z f. Eminem, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Lupe Fiasco, “Renegade 2009″ (from Blueprint 3)

Just kidding. Here’s Dizzee Rascal’s new single with Armand Van Helden though. It’s “Bonkers”!

Download: Dizzee f. Armand freaking Van Helden, “Bonkers”
DOUBLE APRIL FOOLS. Dizzee track is real but Dirtee Stank ain’t ready.

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Freeload: NERD f. CRS & Pusha T, “Everyone Nose (Remix)”

In case you hadn’t yet figured out what this song was about this sneak preview of the video and remix with Yeezy, Lupe and Push makes it real obvious. (from Kanye)



Download: NERD f. CRS & Pusha T, “Everyone Nose (Remix)”

Audio: Lupe Fiasco, “The Coolest” + Album Sampler

More rap songs need intros that sound like Evanescence. No wait, no rap songs need intros that sound like Evanescence. But you know, if it wasn’t a little cringeworthy, it wouldn’t be Lupe. Fortunately, Lupe moves on quickly and exhibits the skill that made us put him on the cover of FADER 35. Now, the The Cool album sampler presents another obstacle. A SPOKEN WORD INTRO. ON A SAMPLER. LUPE!! If you can get past it though there are some joints.