Superstar

"Superstar" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released as the lead single and third track from his second studio album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool (2007). It features American singer-songwriter Matthew Santos on the chorus.
The song peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated at the 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 17, 2008, and Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on February 25, 2022. "Superstar" is featured on the soundtracks of NFL Tour and NHL 2K10. Professional baseball player Hanley Ramírez used the song as his walk-up music at Florida Marlins home games. Additionally, it was the theme song of Fox8's Football Superstar.
== Background ==
The remix version features Young Jeezy and T.I."Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. January 18, 2020. Fiasco wanted Eminem on this version as well, though was unsuccessful."Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. July 16, 2013."Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. January 18, 2020. In 2021, he revealed that he wanted Chris Martin to be featured on the single, stating, "P or Ye told me on the set for "Everyone Nose" they heard Chris singing the chorus on a video shoot and he was like that's me which kinda was 🤯.""Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. December 10, 2021. In 2022, he addressed to Twitter problems he had with Atlantic, where they would replace instruments on records in order to be credited as producers. He noted, "Craig Kallman attempted to "reproduce" the entire record & claim it. I left in a small bass roll in the third verse as proof.""Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco)". Twitter. August 2, 2022.
The lyrics are autobiographical, about "the perils of the music business." He clarified to Billboard, "I'm like, 'Hey, if you are what you say you are'—just remember here's all the kind of struggles, trials and tribulations and don't rest on your laurels. [...] It's always been a challenge being in the music business. Whether that's a challenge to stay credible or selling records or staying relevant, that all comes at a certain cost and a lot of the times that's not good."Lamarre, Carl (June 16, 2022). "Black Music Month: Lupe Fiasco Talks Dodging the Sophomore Jinx with 'The Cool'". Billboard.
== Critical reception ==
PopMatters penned positively, "the obligatory ode to newfound fame, laced with crowd and camera sound effects and topped with another sublime Matthew Santos hook."Schonfeld, Zach (January 6, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool". PopMatters. Mark Pytlik of Pitchfork remarked it to be a "hooky first single [...] with Fiasco protégé Matthew Santos (who has probably heard a few Coldplay albums) playing Adam Levine to Fiasco's Kanye West."Pytlik, Mark (January 8, 2008). "The Cool Lupe Fiasco". Pitchfork. Sputnik Music wrote, "The snide commentary on celebrity culture which runs through lead single 'The Superstar' is infinitely more engaging than any of his conceptual efforts. John Legend-clone Matthew Santos makes the first of his two vocal contributions, his sweet voice providing the infectious hook..."De Sylvia, Dave (December 19, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco The Cool". Sputnik Music.
== Music video ==
The accompanying music video was released on November 5, 2007. It was directed by Hype Williams and filmed earlier that year in the first week of October."*Update* Lupe Fiasco Clears the Air on Hip Hop Honors". HipHopDX. October 6, 2007. It premiered on BET's 106 & Park on November 23 and on February 19, moved up to the number one spot on the countdown. The black leather jacket Fiasco wears in the video was created by Dr. Romanelli, specifically for the promo. Matthew Santos also makes a cameo, standing in a dark smoke room.
The visual depicts a Mercedes-Benz S-Class stopping at the red carpet. Two girls leave the car. Director Hype Williams manages to slip in two characters from The Cool: The Cool with his characterizing skeleton hand, and The Streets with her dollar signs in her eyes. The Cool apparently sold his soul to The Game for fame and fortune. In return, The Game's wife The Streets made him The Coolest and gave him the Mercedes as well as his bling and the gold key he has around his neck. 
== Live performances ==
Fiasco performed the song at a variety of shows, including the mtvU Woodie Awards (2007), Chicago Has Talent (2010), Walmart Soundcheck (2011), the Dodger Stadium (2014), Riot Fest (2021), and Hip Hop 50 Live (2023). Televised performances throughout 2008 include Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Mi TRL, where Santos was present for the latter two. He performed the song with Coldplay for their Chicago show on May 28, 2022, during their Music of the Spheres World Tour.Kaufman, Gil (May 30, 2022). "Coldplay Blast Chicago Fans with Waves of Intergalactic Love at Show Featuring Hometown 'Superstar' Lupe Fiasco". Billboard.
== Accolades ==
;Certifications
Organization 	Certification	Date
British Phonographic Industry(BPI) 	Gold 	February 25, 2022
Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA)	Gold 	September 17, 2008
Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA)	Platinum 	September 17, 2008
;Awards and nominations
Year	Award 	Category 	Result	
2007	BET Hip Hop Awards 	Alltel Wireless People's Champ 	 	rowspan="2"
2008	BET Hip Hop Awards 	Alltel Wireless People's Champ 	 	
2009	Grammy Awards 	Best Rap/Sung Collaboration 	 	"Grammy 2009 Winners List". MTV News. February 8, 2009.
2009	Grammy Awards 	Best Rap Song 	 	"Grammy 2009 Winners List". MTV News. February 8, 2009.
2008	MTV Video Music Awards	Best Hip-Hop Video 	 	Levine, Nick (September 8, 2008). "In Full: MTV Video Music Awards 2008 Winners". Digital Spy.
2008	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Music – Rap/Hip-Hop Track	 	"2008 Teen Choice Awards Winners and Nominees". Los Angeles Times. June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008.
2008	 	 	 	
;Listicles
Publisher 	Listicle 	Year	Result	
LiveAbout 	"The Top 100 Rap Songs of 2007" 	2019	42 	Adaso, Henry (September 28, 2019). "The Top 100 Rap Songs of 2007". LiveAbout.
Oprah Daily	"54 Hip-Hop Songs That Capture the Genre's History"	2022	Listed	Rindner, Grant and Burnett, Jane (September 6, 2022). "54 Hip-Hop Songs That Capture the Genre's History". Oprah Daily.
== Personnel ==
* Charles "Chilly Patton – executive producer
* Chris Gehringer – masterer
* Craig Bauer – mixer
* Greg "G-Ball" Magers – additional vocals, recorded by
* Matthew Santos – featured artist
* Rudolph "Soundtrakk" Lopez – writer, producer
* Soul Children of Chicago – additional vocals
* Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – lead artist, writer, executive producer
== Gallery ==
<tabber>
|-|Acoustic Version=
|-|Remix Version=
|-|Live Lounge 3=
|-|Hip Hop 50 Live=
|-|The Kennedy Center=
</tabber>
File:Lupe Fiasco - July 14 2015.jpg|@LupeFiasco: "Coolin..."
File:Lupe Fiasco - September 28 2017.jpg|@LupeFiasco: "Platinum off streams too! 🤗 #Superstar @Soundtrakk @MatthewSantos"
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
Category:2007 songs
Category:Collaboration songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
Category:Singles
Category:Songs
Category:Songs with music videos