Conflict Diamonds

"Conflict Diamonds" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released as the 15th track from his mixtape Revenge of the Nerds (2006). It remixes Kanye West's "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," which gained the attention of the fellow rapper, and led to him being featured on West's "Touch the Sky" single.
== Background ==
Fiasco told The A.V. Club that it began as a freestyle after around "seven days" West released "Diamonds." He reached out to West's team for permission to do freestyles over the beat along with "Muhammad Walks," on his mixtapes, where "it took off" overseas.Rabin, Nathan (October 31, 2006). "Lupe Fiasco". The A.V. Club.
== Analysis ==
The track addresses the illegal diamond trade in Africa, slave labor, and corruption that goes behind obtaining and selling the prized stones. It also mentions the glorification of these things, whether it be impressing others or believing it to be quite invaluable, even leading to envy or theft. The particular line, "The gift and the curse, the venom and the serum," summarizes this concept, as diamonds can be given as expensive gifts and appreciated, but on the flipside can be a curse where it leads to greed as well as the dark history of how they are made and sold. Verbicide noted once Fiasco released his track, "Next thing you know, Kanye makes this the theme of his video and remix—neither of which credit Lupe. Lupe adroitly looks the other way because Kanye offers him a verse on "Touch the Sky" off Kanye's highly-anticipated Late Registration."Mitra, Avir (November 7, 2006). "Interview: Lupe Fiasco". Verbicide.
For its message, it was about bringing truth to situations and living realities that stem from the diamond industry. Fiasco explained to Financial Times in 2022, "Diamonds are shiny and fun for about an hour, right? But there's also a dark side to how they are created. Have you ever seen a nightclub when the lights are turned on? It's fucking gross. The paint is cheap, it's sticky, the floor doesn't match the walls. But in the darkness, you would never know any of this. It's my job to shine that light and expose the dark side."Hobbs, Thomas (May 18, 2022). "Rapper Lupe Fiasco: 'It's My Job to Shine Light and Expose the Dark Side'". Financial Times.
== Cultural references ==
* Cecil Rhodes (July 5, 1853 – March 26, 1902) was an English colonialist, mining magnate and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. 
* De Beers is a South African-British corporation that specializes in diamond mining, diamond exploitation, diamond retail, diamond trading and industrial diamond manufacturing sectors.
* George Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009.
* Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection.
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
Category:2005 songs
Category:Explicit songs
Category:Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge of the Nerds
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Remix songs
Category:Songs