Lupe Fiasco Announces Ninth Album 'Samurai', His 'Most Personal Album To Date'

Lupe Fiasco wants his new album to be an act of service. On Friday, the esteemed rapper announced the release of his ninth studio album, Samurai, on June 28 and also dropped the project's title track. The LP will hear Fiasco dive into a more personal narrative while embracing the idea that “you have to be in the service of other people.”

“Sometimes my fans point out that I don't make personal records,” Lupe said in a statement, “but I always tell people I'm in there if you listen closely enough. This album is one of my most personal records to date.”

“It's not a complete biography, but my personal experiences are woven into all my music. A lot of the records are me,” he added. “Some are from a character's POV. and some are me. The album weaves things from my life as an artist, touching on things that other artists have gone through.”

Fiasco used Soundtrakk to produce the album after collaborating with him in 2022 Drill music in Zion. The album, executive produced by Charles “Chill” Patton, will feature eight songs, including tracks like “Bigfoot,” “Cake” and “Palace.”

“The word 'samurai' means to serve,” Lupe says of the album's title. “My relationship with that word has always meant that you have to be of service to other people, whether it's the overall community, or in this case, the larger rap community that I've been a part of for years.”

Samurai 2022 follows Drill music in Zionalthough he released several singles in 2023, including “Roc-A-Fella Y'all”, “Channel No. 3” and “Outside”.

Samurai Tracklist

1. “Samurai”
2. “Mumble Rap”
3. “Cake”
4. “Palaces”
5. “No. 1 headband”
6. “Bigfoot”
7. “Out”
8. “Til Eternity”