Lupe Fiasco Announces Upcoming LP ‘Samurai DX’

Lupe Fiasco’s Samurai proved the veteran rapper’s unparalleled ability to pen deeply conceptual rhymes without sacrificing soul. Produced in full by longtime collaborator Soundtrakk, the 8-song project earned widespread critical acclaim, with praise from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and more for its cerebral lyricism and warm sonic palette.

The Album

Today (June 27th), to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Samurai, Lupe announces Samurai DX, an alternate version of the acclaimed album. The DX version of the album offers two new songs from the Samurai sessions, the Soundtrakk-produced “High Note” and “SOS,” produced by Lupe himself, plus remixes to original album highlights “Samurai,” “Palaces,” and “Bigfoot” (now featuring a hook sung by singer-songwriter Troy Tyler). Originally intended for the Samurai tracklist, “SOS” and “High Note” were cut for sake of brevity, but Lupe and manager Chill Patton recognized their quality, keeping them in the vault until the time was right. In addition, the vinyl release of Samurai DX offers instrumental versions of all five newly-recorded songs. Samurai DX continues Lupe’s exploration of the boundaries of hip-hop as an artform, as the legendary Chicago rapper seeks to prove that a rap album can be as exquisitely crafted and delicately designed as fine art. Expanding the story of what Lupe Fiasco calls one of his “most personal projects to date,” Samurai DX arrives in digital and physical formats on August 22nd via 1st & 15th / Thirty Tigers. 

Along with the announcement of Samurai DX, Lupe shares a new remix for “Samurai.” Flipping the album’s introductory track, inspired by a line delivered by Amy Winehouse to Salaam Remi in the documentary, Amy, the new “Samurai” remix transforms the original’s wistful and soulful atmosphere into something a bit darker, changing the perspective on Lupe’s look at an artist’s life and the tragedies that can accompany the triumphs. The remix also adds a brand new verse from Lupe, reflecting the moodier instrumental, and new vocals from singer-songwriter Troy Tyler. The remix to “Samurai” follows last year’s release of “Palaces” (Remix), which arrived with a music video.

Source: Audible Treats