On Faux Nem

"On Faux Nem" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the 10th and final track from his eighth studio album, Drill Music in Zion (2022). The title references to the Chicago term, "on foe nem" (similar to 'on my life'), which is used to assure one of telling the truth. Fiasco contrasts this with the line, 'I wish that you were lying to me / I hope none of that comes true.'
He elaborated to Okayplayer, "This album isn't a critique on drill music as a whole, so I don't want to lean into that narrative like that's what I was doing it for. [...] The people that were influenced by drill music in their particular city—from London to Atlanta to LA to New York to wherever—it's the same thing. People are dying, they're going to prison, they're catching the crazy RICO cases like in Atlanta, and it's all the same energy."Turner-Williams, Jaelani (June 24, 2022). "Lupe Fiasco Is on to His Next Chapter". Okayplayer.
== Critical reception ==
The particular lyric, 'Rappers die too much...' shines light on the high mortality rate and glorification of violence within the rap industry. Exclaim! named it to be the "most memorable verse," while Pitchfork wrote, "From there, he unleashes searing bars about the culture of drill music. In a world where authenticity is typically prized above all, he wishes that drill artists were actually lying in their lyrics."Ayiku, Vernon (June 28, 2022). "Lupe Fiasco Preaches Without Being Preachy on 'DRILL MUSIC IN ZION'". Exclaim!.Berry, Peter (July 7, 2022). "Drill Music in Zion by Lupe Fiasco". Pitchfork. The Ringer noted, "Many drill artists—they are, almost invariably, young Black men—have been victims of gun violence, the survival and perpetration of which is a frequent topic of their songs."Thompson, Paul (August 2, 2022). ""Rappers Don't Fall Off": Lupe Fiasco on Aging in Hip-Hop, Drill Music, and the Audience". The Ringer. EARMILK declared Fiasco to "ultimately [become] the first rapper with a 1 bar verse in hip-hop."Odutola, Tayo (June 27, 2022). "Lupe Fiasco shares new project 'DRILL MUSIC IN ZION'". EARMILK.
Ambrosia for Heads wrote, "That one line sums up not only the Hip-Hop community's anguish over the last [two] months, but also the pain that has accompanied more than 60 other such tragic demises of MCs since 1986, beginning with Boogie Down Productions' Scott La Rock." They continued, "As powerful and complete as Lupe's single bar verse is, his incisive commentary does not stop there. [...] The themes that Lupe Fiasco is espousing [...] have been the subject of great debate and widespread media coverage." They concluded, "However, Lupe is far from moralistic in his critique of his livelihood. In his third verse, he deftly addresses the paradox that comes with being a rapper. He also turns his lens on the industry that profits from the carnage.""Lupe Fiasco Has The Year's Best Verse & It's Only 1 Line". Ambrosia for Heads. November 12, 2022. 
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
Category:2022 songs
Category:Drill Music in Zion
Category:Explicit songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Songs