Lupe Fiasco removed from stage following comments at Obama inauguration show – watch

[tuvor]

Source: NME

Rapper Lupe Fiasco was removed from the stage for making anti-Obama comments during a performance for the US Presidential inauguration celebrations.

Fiasco told told the audience at Hamilton Live in US capital Washington D.C. that he did not vote for Barack Obama in the November 2012 election, and proceeded to perform a half-hour anti-war song, reports Complex. When he refused to move on to the next song, a team of security guards came on stage and told him to go, report journalists in attendance.

Fiasco previously described Obama as the "biggest terrorist" in America in an interview with CBS news. In another interview, this time with Philadelphia radio station Power 99FM, he described Obama as a "child killer", saying: "On one hand, you have someone who is a great speaker, but kills little children – our President… I'm talking about ordering a drone attack. Ordering drone attacks that go and kill mothers, innocent bystanders, children. Militants too, but the collateral damage. You're responsible for that, too."

All of which raises the question of why Fiasco was booked to perform at a celebration of Obama winning a second term in the first place.


Read more: http://www.nme.com/news/nme/68270?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=lupe&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=releases

[Arctic Dave]

1. A Colbert moment for Obama?

Takes balls to say that at his gala.

[bayareamike]

2. Never liked him.

He's a conspiracy nut. Also, he performed a RAP song for 30 minutes. Did he rap the same lyrics over and over? Booooooorrrrring.

[DeSwiss]

10. And everyone knows.....

...there are never, never, never, ever any conspiracies.

- Because anyone who thinks conspiracies are real is a nut, right?

[bayareamike]

15. That's not what I was implying.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with him or his work, but it can be pretty crazy. His earlier stuff wasn't so much, but over the years he's put out some pretty strong political charges without any evidence.

[bayareamike]

20. As examples,

he believes that 9/11 was an inside job, that the NWO/Illuminati run the world, and that voting is completely staged. He's one step away from thinking that the Reptilians control the government.

Do you think that these things qualify him as a "nut"? I do.

[loudsue]

58. Nope. I believe all those things, as well.

So, THAT doesn't qualify him as a nut, in my book. But he's an asshole for bringing that shit to the inauguration. I don't know who hired him, but they need to be taken to the woodshed.

[bayareamike]

62. Care to provide some proof

that our entire democracy is staged? Sure, some have tried to steal elections (hell, the GOP tried to do it recently) but I doubt there is any proof that suggests the whole thing is rigged. If you believe that, why participate in the process? Why discuss issues at all on this website?

As far as the Illuminati goes, seriously? Prove it. I'd love to see the proof for that.

[William Seger]

24. No, "conspiracy nut" means...

... someone who religiously believes ridiculously implausible conspiracy theories for no good reason.

[Jamaal510]

3. I didn't know Lupe Fiasco was like that.

Looks like he caught the Alex Jones disease.

[bemildred]

4. Well named.

"Lupe Fiasco"

[Enrique]

5. they deny it was political

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/21/lupe-fiasco-escorted-off-stage-after-anti-obama-comments/

“Lupe Fiasco performed at this private event, and as you may have read, he left the stage earlier than we had planned,” StartUp RockOn said in a statement. “But Lupe Fiasco was not ‘kicked off stage’ for an ‘anti-Obama rant.’ We are staunch supporters of free speech, and free political speech. This was not about his opinions. Instead, after a bizarrely repetitive, jarring performance that left the crowd vocally dissatisfied, organizers decided to move on to the next act.”

[Berlum]

8. Basically, he sucked

he sucked really bad

[Lasher]

49. He got gonged

[Historic NY]

6. a name like that say nuts....

[SunSeeker]

7. What a douchebag. I would have been pissed if I was in the audience.

Sounds like the audience sure was, judging by their "vocal disapproval."

[John2]

9. It was an inauguration,

and not a Day for political protest. I noticed even the Republicans behaved themselves. Killing innocent people in Wars, what War has been clean? He is not going to change that.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

11. He trojan horsed an honorable event and disrespected it...

Hope this craters his career and anyone even loosely involved.

[MADem]

31. +1,000 nt

[Eddie Haskell]

12. He'll probably be suicided.

Like Aaron.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

38. What?

What does this even mean?

[randome]

40. It means someone is having a baaaad day.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Who's idea was it for him to perform at an inaugural event?

Was Ted Nugent already booked?

[alarimer]

14. Just pointing out that if someone had done this to Bush, you would be cheering.

I may or may not agree with what he said but "shut up and sing" is right-wing bullshit. We are supposed to be better than that.

[craigmatic]

17. Exactly and it's not like he's a con saying this. Lupe is on the left.

[LSK]

21. except Obama is ending the wars, not starting them???

[Socal31]

41. If you believe Iraq and Afghanistan are the only "wars", then you would be correct.

I suggest a little more reading.

[railsback]

33. Funny

You think Bush & Co. would have let a performer say 'fuck you' for 30 minutes before removing him?

[Nine]

35. I wouldn't be cheering. This guy was damn rude and disrespectful.

If you don't like the President, don't attend his inauguration and don't accept an invitation to sing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. That performer would never have gotten past Bush's inaugural committee

[geek tragedy]

66. If someone played an anti-Bush song for THIRTY MINUTES

at one of my parties, I'd be booing him off the stage.

Seriously, it's all clever and edgy the first three minutes. It's self-important wanking after that.

[craigmatic]

16. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's ever read or seen an interview.

[triplepoint]

18. Stop Making Sense

and then again....there's a time and a place for Fiasco to vent. It certainly wasn't now...at the "Obama Inauguration Show." The Drone War is akin to noxon carpet bombing Cambodia and Laos. We chased Viet Cong into those countries...or rather, they sought refuge from us in those countries. Then, we B52 carpet bombed and carpet bombed Cambodia and Laos until Congress put a stop to it. The same has to be done with the Drone War.
.

..
..
.
Reference Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet_bombing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Menu

[Third Doctor]

19. He was a fiasco all right/

[MADem]

32. Maybe he should change his name to Kanye. Talk about not quite understanding the venue or the

audience.

[krhines]

22. he is a very well thought individual

What he is saying is right. He also had a very open admiration for Howard Zinn and from what I know had a very good relationship with him. Howard would agree that the drone killings are wrong. When the Occupy movement first started I read he donated around 100 tents. and he writes songs like this.

WWJD He'd Prolly LOL Like WTF!!! Lyrics - Lupe Fiasco
Really? This is what you guys been doing?
Searching

Before the break there were none
And as it broke there was one
From moon to sun, it goes on and on
The winter battle was won, the summer children were born
And so the story goes on and on
Come on woman in your left beats

Those in bed with the house keys
So fair weather feels heartbreak from here to eternity
Come on woman in your wrong time
Far far far from the virgin pine
Rise on now from the dead leaves
Come back to me
Oh, she sings her favorite song
Left to her tears and dreams, it goes on

Standing in line for the new one
Not the black, but the blue one
And I don't even know what it do, son
Steve Jobs said that it's too fun
Fun in a bun is what I need
It's cold out here, put my arms in the sleeves
I'll probably lose my place if I leave
But I really need to pee
If I do it right here they'll see
Makes you wonder, how do snipers
Marathon bikers
Next time: diapers
They say it has all new features
Faster processors and much better speakers
Great for kids, a necessity for teachers
For work or home, a revolutionary way of being alone
I mean, should we really get a loan?
Hey what's the manager's... tell it to your phone
Cupertino heart with Chinese parts
Built by the poor, but designed by the smart
They open the door so you go
On your mark, get ready, set, bye
Imagine a world where everything starts with an I
But it still ends with a die
Probably got an app for that, you could try
Brother iClouds, right into the great wifi
Siri, can iGod really hear me?
"Does not compute - can you repeat more clearly? "
"Woaaaaah"

A vessel in the bloodline
A thirteenth Zodiac sign
A stitch in time, it goes on and on

Standing in line for some new Ones
Had a bunch of blessings but I blew them
Asked Google how to use them
Sent me to a section about used guns
New runs, nuns'll scream, moms with jeans
Match their teens' jeans and genies who try to chew gum
Aw man, it's so confusing
Confusion in the bun is what I have
Good thing that God accepts cash
Maybe buy my way out his wrath
Sceptically, why am I way off this path?
Atheism's cheaper, and accepts Visa
My thoughts is in queing up for sneakers
Won't discriminate, getting all eight
In every color that they make
Beaverton hearts with Chinese parts
Built by the poor and designed by the smart
On your mark, get set, cop em!
Imagine a life that revolves around shopping
Conspicuous consumption
That means it serves no other function
But to show off to someone
Others who only try to show off to you - look at your fellow loyal customers
Isn't harmony great?
Look at all these friends that marketing makes
How many fries can these arteries take?
I'll give McDonald's a little help here
I think they should expand into health care
And then you'll have all ends covered
Even make caskets, have it all umbrella'd
Can you make a corporation fear me?
"Couldn't hear your order, can you speak less clearly? "


That witch was burning the ground
Will someday come back around
From dust from to dust it goes on and on

Before daybreak there were none
And as it broke there was one
And still the story goes on and on

[MyNameGoesHere]

23. Good for him

I may not believe totally in what he is saying, but damn that was an ingenious way to get his message out. Long live democracy, and no it didn't take the day off just because our guy is getting inaugurated.

[OKNancy]

25. He would fit right in with a certain segment of DU

You better believe it

[OnyxCollie]

37. I see what you did there.

Nice call out. Very subtle. (And by now I bet the head's pretty rotten and keeps falling off the pike; Gotta do sumthin' right?)

DU's authoritarian front click their heels and salute you!

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY. OBEDIENCE IS STRENGTH. DISSENT IS DISLOYAL.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

39. The segment who doesn't believe in drone strikes?

Count me among them.

[Catherina]

26. "Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit."

"Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit.
That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either.
I'ma part of the problem, my problem is I'm peaceful"


Anyone who doesn't know Lupe Fiasco's views on unjust wars and our complicity in international crimes is totally out of touch because he's been extremely vocal about them and those lines from one of his most famous songs are extremely well known.

Good for him. I don't care if it's an inaugural celebration (unofficial at that), Obama needs to hear how displeased many of us are. He needs to hear from all of us, not just the attaboy crowd.

[leftynyc]

60. The crowd disagreed

They were there to celebrate after all the hard work they had done to get the President re-elected. He was a complete ass to crap all over that. I hope his career tanks.

[Bradical79]

67. Can't really be mad at Lupe

It's not like he suddenly decided to voice these opinions at the inauguration, or scammed his way onto stage somehow. Either someone in the even planning didn't do their homework (like putting his name into google) or wanted to make a point.

[Catherina]

69. Nope. You sure can't. Not if you're honest

And you can't play dumb about the song either. It even has its own wiki entry.

I find this thread at the same time sad and absolutely hilarious.

And to those complaining he disrespected the inauguration, this wasn't at an official inauguration party so there's no way on earth Lupe can be blamed for singing one of his most popular songs.

"Words I Never Said" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco, produced by Alex da Kid, featuring singer-songwriter Skylar Grey. The song, released February 8, 2011, serves as the second single from his third studio album Lasers.[1] "Words I Never Said" contains references to controversial political and socioeconomic topics, including the September 11 attacks, government fiscal policy, and the occupation of Gaza.[2] The song's message of standing up for the people and being against the government has been used as a theme song for Internet group Anonymous. The song, (which was one of the last written for the record) can also be intrepreted as a thinly disguised message aimed at Atlantic Record producer, who in Lupe's opinion forced a lot of material on his Lasers album that did not sit right with him.[3] It was named the 41st best song of 2011 by XXL magazine.[4]

...
Awards

Words I Never Said was nominated for "Video With A Message" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Words_I_Never_Said

[Mortos]

27. Sounds like he wanted to get kicked off the stage

Same song for 30 minutes? The music and rap in the clip I saw looked completely made up on the spot and amateurish. Didn't Lupe have one hit song? Trying to remain relevant by getting some attention any way he can. Wrong place for this kind of protest in my opinion but at least have a polished song to perform and then move on to your one hit that people came to hear.

[PatrynXX]

28. Cause unlike Republicans

who tend to steal music without asking for it and are closed minded. we are by our nature open minded even when someone like that gets on stage. Imagine him trying that on the republican stage. 30 minutes??

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. You know, on the one hand I understand that it's the President's moment and all but

at the same time he raised a valid point. I am torn on this one.

[lolly]

47. If it had been well done

And to-the-point, it might have made a meaningful statement.

If Colbert had babbled for 30 minutes with no clear direction at his landmark performance, the message would have been lost and he would have looked foolish.

[MADem]

30. That bozo has a small following here. I don't quite get the appeal. nt

[meanit]

34. Where was

"ballsy" ole Lupe when Bush was starting these wars that Obama inherited? People who spoke out then actually did risk their careers, like the Dixie Chicks.
Ranting at Democrats about a Democrat is no big brave 1st Amendment feat, IMO.

[AtheistCrusader]

44. You think he would have been tapped to perform at a Bush event?

Yeeeeeah... I don't think so.

[meanit]

48. No....

I'm saying that if Lupe had ever said that about Bush, his career would have been destroyed by the right wing, and Bush is the one guilty of getting us involved in these wars in the first place.
I do not believe the Democrats will destroy his career over what he said and I'm not sure Obama deserves all of the blame he is getting from Lupe in the first place.

[AtheistCrusader]

57. Why? His target audience isn't IN the right wing.

The Dixie Chicks on the other hand... Country Music is by and large the domain of conservatives, stereotypes aside.

"George Bush doesn't care about black people"
Remember when Kanye West said that on national TV?

I don't think it hurt his career. (Not that I think he did it as a career statement/move at all)
His net worth last year was approximately 90 million. What do you think his net worth was in 2005?

Lupe's target audience could probably give a flying fuck about George W. Bush.

[meanit]

68. The right did start a smear campaign against Kanye West

remember? And I'm glad it didn't do any damage to his career because he was right.
But why does Lupe need to act like a dick and pull his shit trashing Obama at Inauguration time? We've got the right wing to do that stuff.

[AtheistCrusader]

71. Well, the smear campaign was toothless.

Because nobody who gave a shit about their loaded interpretation of what he said, was buying his music anyway.


As for Lupe's move... Idunno. I get the sentiment. I want these wars to end so badly, I can't even explain it. It feels like watching someone slowly cut their own wrists, and not being able to do anything to help them stop. So... I get it. Tasteless or not, I get it.

[meanit]

72. Agreed

It's long past time get our troops out of these places they should never had been sent to in the first place.

[lewisjaa]

42. In defense of Lupe

I don't know how many of you actually listen to the words he raps. you all claim he is a nut job conspiracy theorist but alot of what he says does make some since. We know that this country's fucked no matter who is in party and lupe actually is really liberal. Obama has kept alot of the same failed policy's that bush has. He seems like a puppet just like every other politician. Who do you think pulls the strings weather you call them the illuminati or just the super rich you know the make all the decisions. The president did order drone kills kept Guantanamo open, you can't say that he hasn't done some "terrorist" activity's. while Lupe probably could have choose a better place and time to do his speech, they knew before signing him up that he has been outspoken at least for the last few years. But it would have been alot cooler if they got a real rapper like immortal technique to spit the truth.

[Nine]

45. "We know that this country's fucked no matter who is in party"

No, I don't know that. And if you believe that, maybe this isn't the right place for you.

(I assume you meant no matter which party is in power.)

[bayareamike]

51. Immortal Technique

is worse. He believes in even more ridiculous conspiracies. Look, I'm not saying that government is infallible -- of course the US government has been involved in some shady things and the history of this country is stained by them (that's why I'm a liberal!) -- but there is a line to be drawn.

Obviously I'm generalizing, but the stuff IT tends to rap about is even more ludicrous. This is a guy who thinks that flu shots are meant to be used for mind control. What the hell people? Let's keep it logical.

[JaneyVee]

52. Guantanamo stayed open because it failed in the Senate 96-4. How Govt works.

[name not needed]

53. First post and already comparing President Obama to Bush.

I swear you people have no patience anymore.

[leftynyc]

61. Lupe made it all about him

when it was not. It was not the time or the place for him to be an attention whore. I'll make it my business to make sure it's the first and last I hear of him.

[rug]

43. He's good.

[octoberlib]

46. I haven't listened to him lately but

Last edited Mon Jan 21, 2013, 09:01 PM - Edit history (1)

his first couple albums were smart and empowering. He didn't rap about the typical things. He tried to make getting an education cool. His record company actually told him to 'dumb it down'. . He wrote a song about it. I'm not a big rap fan but I liked him. The Inaugural Committee didn't do their homework.

[Fire Walk With Me]

50. Drones are being used to kill in more than 5 countries, with over 100 children dead in Pakistan

alone. Do an internet search if you don't believe it. I'm sorry, 168 and counting:

http://www.google.com/search?q=anerucab&sitesearch=democraticunderground.com#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=drone+dead+children+pakistan&oq=drone+dead+children+pakistan&gs_l=serp.3...11807.11918.4.12724.2.2.0.0.0.0.761.854.1j6-1.2.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.QhjHff_LFq8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.cGE&fp=2f043918cef02ba6&biw=1215&bih=934

The FBI calls terrorism the use or threat of violence to cause a group to change their political direction.

[judesedit]

55. Obama believes we are all equal.Why wouldn't he?Fiasco is anti-war.It's easy to complain.Try getting

us out with dignity. I don't remember hearing Fiasco's protests when Bush was in, but I'm sure they were there. Bush would have never invited him in the first place anyway. Obama believes in free speach. Remember how they only let GOP leaning people into any of their functions. I do.

[geek tragedy]

65. It was a private event. Obama would never invite a truther clown like this guy. nt

[flamingdem]

56. He is simply seeking, and getting a lot of press to push his career

.. I say this even though I just found his work recently and liked it.

[littlemissmartypants]

59. And who might I ask

is Lupe Fiasco?

[Blue_Tires]

63. I haven't kept up with Lupe Fiasco for a few years...

If he has been a dedicated political activist, then I can at least understand why he did it, although I don't agree with his timing or choice of venue...

If he just did this as an attention whoring political stunt, then god help him....

[Catherina]

70. He's been a fully dedicated activist. He went above and beyond to help OWS

When occupiers were out freezing in the cold, Lupe bought thousands of dollars worth of tents, warm clothing and meals for them.

All occupiers had to do was ask and he was on it for them.

And OWS is still grateful for all the support he gave.




Here's just one example. In this instance it was 50 tents and it wasn't an isolated incident.

Lupe Fiasco Visits Occupy Oakland, Donates Supplies (Video)

Occupy Wall Street got a visit from Kanye West (in his very expensive-looking chain, natch), but over in Oakland the 99% got a more useful visit from fellow Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco. Mr. Fiasco, who was in town to play the Fox Theater last night, tweeted yesterday afternoon asking if any of the Occupy SF or Oakland encampments needed any supplies and, according to one occupier's account on IndyBay, he "came through, perhaps more than expected, with donated food, supplies, tables, tents, and a generator." Judging by the video of Lupe's brief appearance (below), the camp could use a few lights:

(Video at link)

Later, during his show at the Fox, Lupe encouraged attendees to drop by the Occupy Oakland event a few blocks away at Frank Ogawa plaza and mentioned a few influential artists in Bay Area Hip Hop. The show itself garnered rave reviews from the Mercury News.

(Video at link)

...

http://sfist.com/2011/10/12/lupe_fiasco_visits_occupy_oakland_d.php

[geek tragedy]

64. It was a mistake to book the self-important 9/11 Truther nutjob in the first place.

Those people don't tend to care what their audience wants to hear. They only listen to the voices in their head.