No. 1 Headband

"No. 1 Headband" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, the fifth track from his ninth studio album, Samurai. It features background vocals from the Chicago musical duo, Luvstruck, with production handled by Soundtrakk and co-production from Brian Brown. Kush Baby is credited as an additional producer, providing the drum switch on the third verse.
The title references the Japanese manga series, Afro Samurai, where the "Number One Headband" is a sacred cloth headband believed to grant the wearer extreme powers, including immortality and great knowledge. In the album's narrative, Amy Winehouse aims to become the top battle rapper.
== Background ==
In an exclusive track-by-track interview with Rolling Stone, Soundtrakk shared that the beat was the oldest one on the album, dating back to 2016. He requested the keyboardist to infuse it with a "Paris, Tokyo" nineties vibe, where the loop was quickly created and he added the drum breaks. He opted for a "one to do two different drum break techniques," similar to "Dumb It Down," where he "kept switching back and forth between two different sets of drums every four bars." Fiasco pondered whether the song was meant to function as a "filler extension of 'Cake,'" or the final boss battle Winehouse encounters. He further explained that he created some of the record at different times for different things, inspired by Afro Samurai, and the third verse was the final one he recorded for the project.Gee, Andre (July 5, 2024). "Lupe Fiasco Walks Us Through His Amy Winehouse-Inspired Battle-Rap Album 'Samurai'". Rolling Stone.
== Music video ==
The official music video was directed by Chris & Blaq. It premiered to Fiasco's YouTube channel on June 28, 2024, the same day of the album's release. Like "Cake," it was filmed at Ace Universal Group in Chicago. It includes cameos by LaJé and Luv Moore.
== Personnel ==
Song
* Abel Garabaldi – mixer
* Brian Brown – co-producer, electric piano loop
* Greg "Brahmulus" Brookshire – electric guitar
* Joey Fernandez – masterer
* Kush Baby – additional producer, drum programmer
* LaJé – background vocals
* Luv Moore – background vocals
* Maxwell Steger – assistant mixer
* Rudolph "Soundtrakk" Lopez – producer, drum programmer, FX, arranger
* Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – lead artist, vocals, writer
Video
* Christopher "Chris" Adams – director, cinematographer
* Hana "Blaq" Mitchell – director, editor
* Courtney Harris – cinematographer
* Mark Bell – audio tech, support vehicle driver
* Rick Long – vehicle camera
* Jorian Harris – stagehand
* Darren "D-SAP" Millsap – stagehand
* Darryl Rice – BTS
* Vanessa "VeeFadez" Dickinson – BTS
== Gallery ==
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File:LaJé - June 28 2024.jpg|@lajeofficial: "Samurai is OUT NOW @lupefiasco 🍾 and I’m singing background on track #5 “No. 1 Headband” alongside my sister @luvmooreofficial 💕🤞🏾Congratulations and thank you to everyone who brought this to life. It truly is an honor to be a part. 🫶🏾❤️"
== Cultural references ==
* Afro Samurai is a Japanese manga series created by Takashi Okazaki. The story revolves around a legendary headband, where the wearer of Number 1 is designated as the world's greatest warrior and believed to be granted divine powers. Afro, the protagonist, embarks on a quest for revenge after his father, the former Number 1, is killed by Justice, who wore the Number 2 headband at the time. In this world, only the bearer of the Number 2 headband can challenge the Number 1, while anyone can challenge the Number 2.
* Kanye West appeared on Sway in the Morning, where one of the memorable moments was Sway encouraging Kanye to empower himself and take control. Ye responded, "How, Sway!" and said the host didn't have the answers."Kanye West and Sway Talk Without Boundaries: Raw and Real on Sway in the Morning". YouTube. November 26, 2013.
* The Starship Enterprise is the name of several fictional spacecraft in the Star Trek franchise.
* In sumo wrestling, the highest rank given is yokozuna, which means "horizontal rope."
* Puma is a German brand that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear and apparel.
* Gohan is a character in the Dragon Ball series who is a half-breed Saiyan.
* Voltron is an American animated TV series franchise that features a team of space explorers who pilot a giant super robot.
* Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) was an American actress, known for her starring role in the first season of Charlie's Angels.
* Vera Wang is an American fashion designer.
* Larry Wheels is a world-record-holding powerlifter.
== Lyrics ==
== References ==
Category:2024 songs
Category:Explicit songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Samurai
Category:Songs
Category:Songs with music videos