Lupe Fiasco Claims Career Took A Hit After Refusing To Sign 360 Deal From Lyor Cohen
Lupe Fiasco reflects on his early career during a new interview on Way Up WIth Angela Yee.
Within the conversation, the Chicago native claims to have been presented with an ultimatum from Lyor Cohen in an attempt to force him into a 360-record deal. According to the rapper, the alleged conversation occurred after he dropped his second studio album, The Cool.
“I tell artists this because I think it’s important to let the artistic community know, this is what you’re really dealing with. I’m not making this up. I’m not gassing anything, and I’ll stand on this in the court of law,” detailed the acclaimed lyricist. “Lyor was like, ‘Yo if you don’t sign this 360 deal, we’re not promoting your records.'”
He continued to add that he was told, “Not only are we not promoting your records, we’re not promoting even the records that we give you.”
The “Kick, Push” rhymer continued to explain that he was not completely against the deal, however he wanted to do “business for real,” and was “going to need some collateral,” in addition to requesting he own his masters.
“I’m only two albums in. I don’t mind, matter of fact I’ll help you build out the 360-piece at least when it comes to fashion.” In the end, Fiasco’s offer was declined.
“I didn’t sign, and my career was like ‘goodbye,’” he asserted. “My career ended at Lasers.”
Despite the 42-year-old claiming the move put a stop to his career, he’s released six albums since Lasers, most recently Samurai. Issued in June, the work was inspired by the late Amy Winehouse.
“What would it be like if she was a battle rapper? She kind of mentioned it–I don’t know the full context of what was going on in her life at the time, and it’s just watching the documentary and the way they kind of placed that as she would leave voicemails for her producer,” detailed Lupe Fiasco.
“That particular one just had to be related to rap. And initially it just started out as one song, Samurai, and then it went into, ‘Well, what if she was in a battle? What would those raps sound like?’”
Listen to Samurai below and watch Lupe Fiasco on Way Up With Angela Yee above.
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