Lupe Fiasco Delivers On Nostalgic Jazz-Rap Vibes In “No. 1 Headband”

Lupe Fiasco is paying homage to his Chicago roots in the new music video for “No. 1 Headband.” The visuals were released on Friday (June 28) and features Lu driving around his hometown in a moment of self-reflection and meditating on his upbringing. But of course, it wouldn’t be a Lupe Fiasco track if he wasn’t also wielding the microphone like a Wazikashi blade, attacking any rapper who dares step to his mastery. 

Additionally, the title of the track, “No. 1 Headband,” refers to the anime Afro Samurai, which follows the mentioned character embarking on a journey steeped in revenge. The No. 1 headband in the anime lets other fighters know that that person is the best combatant in the world, which is reflected in the song’s lyrics. If that wasn’t enough, the third verse is jam-packed with anime references, with bars that mention Dragon Ball Z, Voltron, and more. All that laid bare a top jazz-rap production brought to you by frequent Lupe Fiasco collaborator, Soundtrakk, who creates a bouncy head-nodding cut very reminiscent of the Chi-Town emcee’s output during his Food & Liquor era.

“It’s the way of the warrior, wading the waters of waters for crystal clear,” he raps in the first verse. “Lyrical smears, pierces the ears, like Mike/ Like mics pointed at monitors, receivin’ fever like a thermometer/ We burnin’, well turn it back, like thermostats/ Burnin’ like Mississippi and furnaces and thermoses and gats/ Right after brats, right after that/ We be coolin’, jump back in the pool and this is thе Samurai, how are you doin’?”

In natural Fiasco fashion, Samurai offers more to its subject matter than meets the ear. In an interview with BET, the veteran emcee opened up about the album and what inspired its creation. Lupe revealed that he looked to Amy Winehouse‘s life when creating this art and wondered what she would have to say if she were a battle rapper. And thus, Samurai was born, an LP that finds a tortured artist longing for a sense of belonging and purpose. 

“What would it be like if she was a battle rapper? She kind of mentioned it–I don’t know the full context of what was going on in her life at the time, and it’s just watching the documentary and the way they kind of placed that as she would leave voicemails for her producer,” Lupe told the outlet. “That particular one just had to be related to rap. And initially it just started out as one song, Samurai, and then it went into, ‘Well, what if she was in a battle? What would those raps sound like?’”

Samurai is available for purchase and to stream now. 

Watch the music video for “No. 1 Headband” above.