Lupe Fiasco ft. Virgil Abloh
Y’all Lupe Fiasco is back and dare we say better than ever! He’s bringing this poetic energy throughout his new single ‘Shoes’ and we already know you will be running to hear just what this single encompasses. Who did he bring to help him perfect this masterpiece he’s presented? None other than the Virgil Abloh himself with all the jazzy goods we need for the making!
These artist use such a unique approach on touching the topic that is Black Lives Matter. They use such an intricate and very symbolic approach by using ‘Shoes’ as the making of a greater meaning. They go in depth of how ‘Shoes’ have soles which they then tie into us humans having souls as well. There’s this storyline of Lupe being in this line of a bunch of different people all waiting to buy these shoes, meanwhile each and every vivid detail speak of the personal reality black people face.
He describes watching a protest in the making, the serene feeling that comes from seeing everyone as a team. How these moments will be written in history. While this is happening the “white kid” in front of him in line allows him to go first, given he’s black, as a courtesy. And follows with saying how that man was accustomed of having head starts his entire life. These few lines hit the hardest as you start to see this picture so clear in front of you and sense how this one act can feel in comparison to his entire life. The line that follows, “Permanent villains go about chilling they psychic fights,” we sense that Lupe must need to point out, in spite of this one man’s act others will simply never have a change of heart when it comes to racism. Therefore, they’re permanent villains.
In the fourth verse, Lupe directly symbolizes the shoes as black lives. Relating shoe scuffs to the everyday battles that were always unwanted but now a symbol of strength. Virgil Abloh between each and every verse, comes in with an astonishing interlude explaining how these soles are soft enough to run on but also feel the weight of the ground or reality.
The beauty in the making of this single will have tears streaming down your face and a pressure built in your chest with how in-depth these feelings touch you. You realize from this one single it’s truly a battle you’re facing, running and sprinting to make it to the finish line, living life as a black individual.
The ending verse describes the shoe itself and everything it’s made of to give it its purpose which is to support and allow one to run. Lupe goes into vivid detail every ounce of material and matter that a shoe is made up of, feeling as though he’s giving it life in a way. He asks what you want your shoes to look like. Then he gives you a choice of logo and asks what color you want the upper of the shoe to be… black or white? And finishes by saying why not limit the color palette to these two choices? The world is black and white anyways. Ain’t that the truth.
Lyrics That Stick:
“This is the type of tripping that scuff kicks up
Traditionally creases was a style to refuse
But now they represent every mile in your shoes
Any mud on your sole gets toweled and removed
It’s like I’m retracing every trial, know it took strength
Giant steps flowers growing out of the footprints.”