RH Exclusive: Lupe Fiasco Speaks on FNF Roster Changes

*Update: See pics from Lupe Fiasco's Remember 2 Smile Concert Here.

Lupe Fiasco is preparing for the 2009 edition of his annual Halloween concert.  The concert, dubbed Remember To Smile, is a retrospective of Lupe's career and has also influenced his current music.  We spoke to Lupe today about the concert, and much much more.  Part of our discussion centered on figuring out exactly what it is you want in life, and being able to be less critical of yourself when you don't always live up to your aspirations.  It was while speaking on that topic that Lupe addressed the roster changes at his label FNF.  We've heard rumblings that acts such as He Say She Say and Hey Champ had left the label, and during our interview Lupe confirmed that he did indeed clear house.

"I got rid of, and you're the first to know, but I got rid of the entire First and Fifteenth Record Label.  Me and Sarah Green are the only artists on the label, like I got rid of the whole label," Lupe told me today.  He said that it came down to his ambitions going beyond his abilities, and something that he had to correct.  "It was just such a 'this isn't right for you right now.  This isn't gonna work for you right now.  You need to focus on you,'" he added.  

Lupe is currently working on his next album We Are L.A.S.E.R.S., which does not have a release date at this time.  Lupe told me that going through his old music in preparation for tomorrow night's concert has somewhat influenced the direction of new music.  He also spoke on not being named one of MTV's Hottest Emcees and how that has also somewhat re-energized and inspired the Chicago emcee.  Look for the full interview on RH soon, and don't miss his show at the Congress Theatre tomorrow. 

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WHAT?
written by JADAQWEST , October 28, 2009

MAN LUPE HAS WENT FROM LABEL HEAD TO JUST ARTIST SINCE HIS SECOND ALBUM....NO GEMSTONES,NO BISHOP G,NO SHAYLA G AND WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE DUDE THAT SUNG THE CHORUS ON SUPERSTAR I THOUGHT HE WAS THE "NEXT" STAR MATERIAL....LUPE NEEDS TO SIGN WITH RAP A LOT FOR REAL!!!!!!

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but...
written by shug , October 28, 2009

Lupe is a damn good artist. And dude said it just wasn't right...we'll see when full interview comes out, but it's not like Lupe sucks or some shit. Lupe is one of the best artists and if he wants to focus on his art getting better, than that's what he should do.

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RIP FNF but not those artists...
written by James Cleary , October 28, 2009

Lupe had a decent roster, he just couldnt manage it. He had no workerbees to take the heat off and he dropped the ball. Hey Champ will be fine. They are killing it with the Cool Kids right now anyway. Lupe is going to regret losing them and Mano. Both will blow up. Santos has a shot too.

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Dude blew it
written by CassavaLeaf , October 28, 2009

He had some heat on the label and he did not develop them
Soon he'll figure out that the real money is owning the label
and not in being a artist

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Hip Hop is NOW Dead
written by AlmostIllmatic , October 28, 2009

FNF...down? Sad day. Lupe said once he retired, he'd move on to promote and build the careers of his label mates. What now?

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Hold Up
written by j1 , October 29, 2009

This kind of thing happens a lot. It's not like this is the first time an artist has a label and it doesn't work out.... Look even at GOOD Music. Hey Champ and He Say She Say both got good buzz out of the deal, especially Hey Champ who cracked a market, and set off on their own thing.

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Damn Son!!!
written by Optee , October 29, 2009

I was a big Gemini Fan is anybody even thinking about dude. He could sing and rhyme wit the best in the game and now he is just oughta here....I ain't f*ck*n wit this new Fiasco....kinda liked the old Lupe better.

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Typical....
written by E-Dub , October 29, 2009

^^^^^^^^

They love you until you blow up

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Agree...
written by j1 , October 30, 2009

I agree with E-Dub... what does that even mean, the old Fiasco? The dude is a fucking artist. They change, just like other people and at the end of the day it's hard as fuck to be an entertainer and make a living. Gemini is talented, but his story is not unique and he made it a helluva lot farther than most.

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