Lupe Fiasco Expresses His Freedom of Speech in ‘Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)’ Video

Rapper Lupe Fiasco has just-released the video for his latest single ‘Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free),’ which is from his upcoming LP, ‘Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album.’ The song samples Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s 1992 elegiac masterpiece, ‘They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).’

The four-minute clip, directed by Alex Nazari, features Fiasco lambasting the images and behavior found in most annoying rap videos. In one scene, the Chicago rhyme-slinger is reciting socially-conscious rhymes down the street with glowing eyes as if to say he’s the boogie man.

Elsewhere, we see Fiasco driving a white Lamborghini and later dropping it off at rental car place, which suggests most of the rappers are renting out luxury cars that they are flossing in their videos. There’s also cartoon characters rolling blunts, shooting dice and drinking 40 oz. on Fiasco’s stoop.

So what does it all mean? The narrative is a bit confusing but it seems that Fiasco is shining the spotlight on the fakery that’s happening in the rap industry. While rappers celebrate their wealth in videos, there are impoverished people in other parts of the world struggling day to day to have one meal. In the end, Fiasco is saying that some rappers have their priorities all screwed up.

Fiasco’s positive message might get lost in translation with the ‘Around My Way’ video, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

In addition to this video, take a listen to Lupe Fiasco’s other important song ‘Bad B—-,’ which addresses the use of the B-word and how it affects our impressionable youth.

Watch the Lupe Fiasco ‘Around My Way [Freedom Ain’t Free)’ Video