Seattle

"Seattle" (stylized in all caps) is the ninth and penultimate track from American rapper Lupe Fiasco's eighth studio album, Drill Music in Zion (2022). It features guest vocals from Nayirah. To 1Hood Media, Fiasco revealed that he almost gave up on the song, where he went back and things were missing, but he eventually found and got it done. It was also mentioned of the reference to Seattle SuperSonics, which were an American professional basketball team that won the NBA championship in 1979 and considered a juggernaut."1 on 1Hood with Lupe Fiasco". YouTube. November 30, 2022.
== Personnel ==
* Craig Bauer – mixer
* Glenn Schick – masterer
* Greg "GregB" Brookshire – additional producer, electric guitar, live bass guitar
* Nayirah – featured vocals
* Rudolph "Soundtrakk" Lopez – producer, programmer
* Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – lead vocals, writer
== Analysis ==
The song refers to inner-city neighborhoods plagued with high crime rate. Interestingly, Seattle is not in the top list of cities ridden by crime, upon comparing statistics. Concerning the first verse, it talks about getting out of the hood. Fiasco had once mentioned, "You look at the avenues that you really have out: to really go out. […] But more so to change it. Like, what can I really do to change that or change the perspective of that? Even if I can't go there and build up a palace and have everybody live in palaces, how can I make people change their perspectives of the system and to making the best of what they have?"Richards, Pete (August 6, 2008). "Interview: Lupe Fiasco on the Hip-Hop Industry, Jay-Z, Chicago, and His Karate Skills". MethodShop.
The chorus mentions 'I'd keep a secret, but I'm honest' which fits with the next track, "On Faux Nem," where he mentions that he wishes drill rappers were lying of the violence, murder, and crime they face/experience. The outro focuses on his hometown of Chicago, where his uncle Lawrence Donley is quoted from the documentary, South Side Warriors (2002). Donley talks about artists embracing their history, culture, and resilience, as well as his role to inspire and uplift others.Hsiao, Irene (September 11, 2019). "Ayesha Jaco's Black Samurai Celebrates Her Father's Contributions to a Vibrant Community". Chicago Reader."Lupe Fiasco (@YoBossWillHearOfThis)". Reddit. June 27, 2022.
== Cultural references ==
* Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who is widely considered a genius for his groundbreaking scientific ideas.
* According to lore, vampires are unable to withstand the sunlight, and will burn or disintegrate upon direct contact.
* In the United States, numerous lynchings occurred against African Americans, often racially motivated to enforce white supremacy.
* Pro Tools are digital audio tools used by music producers.
* Gōjū-ryū is one of the main traditional Okinawa styles of karate.
* Nobu is a global brand of restaurants and hotels that specializes in Japanese cuisine and fusion dishes.
* The Ghostbusers (1984) theme song, written and performed by Ray Parker Jr., contains the lyric, 'I ain't afraid of no ghost.'
* Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish, while soju is a clear and colorless distilled alcoholic beverage originated from Korea.
* Domu: A Child's Dream is a Japanese manga series created by Katsuhiro Otomo. Fiasco based his Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor cover art on Old Cho.
* JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga series created by Hirohiko Araki. In its world, the "Stand" is the physical manifestation of the owner's life energy.
* Son Goku is the main protagonist of the Japanese media franchise, Dragon Ball Z.
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
Category:2022 songs
Category:Collaboration songs
Category:Drill Music in Zion
Category:Explicit songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Songs