Mission

"Mission" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as a single on May 19, 2014, for Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), of which he was the celebrity ambassador for. The song features Chef Tone with additional vocals from Greg Porn and Charlie Wilson. Paris "PJ" Jones has uncredited vocals on it."Lupe Fiasco: "I Did Not Perform At the Inauguration" & Depression "That Never Goes Away"". YouTube. June 5, 2014.
A remix version was released, featuring fellow Chicago natives Jennifer Hudson and Common, titled "Remission." Hudson sang the chorus, while Common added a verse about his own father, who battled cancer.Leight, Elias (August 29, 2014). "Lupe Fiasco Releases “Remission” Remix with Common & Jennifer Hudson". Billboard. The trio performed it live for SU2C's televised special that year, before being aired and digitally released on September 5, 2014.Leight, Elias (August 29, 2014). "Lupe Fiasco Releases "Remission" Remix With Common & Jennifer Hudson". Billboard.
== Background ==
Fiasco's own grandmother passed away from cancer, where he described it as "very sudden" rather than slow progress. He also had very close friends to him who were affected by the disease, including Professor Ronald "Kwesi" Harris from Chicago State University, who also inspired the track."CSU's Kwesi Harris Fights Cancer, Inspires Lupe Fiasco Single". CSU. Back in 2013, Harris and the Black Star Project collaborated for the "Mass Black Male Graduation and Transition to Manhood," where he brought in Fiasco as the keynote speaker. Harris would eventually pass away in 2016 from the disease, where Fiasco paid his respects.Watson, Andrea (June 26, 2016). "Family, Friends Remember Chicago State's 'Kwesi' Harris". DNA. Fiasco told MTV News, "His reaction to it was he was gonna fight it, and fight it in a very bold, aggressive, vigorous kind of manner. And it was the first time I had ever seen a close friend of mine battling with cancer." Fiasco also played the record for patients at Chicago's Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center to gauge their reaction.Fleischer, Adam (May 28, 2014). "Lupe Fiasco Wrote Anti-Cancer Anthem 'Mission' For His Grandmother". MTV. He added, "I didn't want it to come across as a sad, make-you-cry song. I wanted it to be like an uplifting, powerful and almost ratchet."Fleischer, Adam (June 4, 2014). "Lupe Fiasco Wanted 'Mission' To Be 'Uplifting'... But Still a Little 'Ratchet'". MTV.
In a press statement, he said, "'Mission' is a song near to my heart from both personal experience and of those close to me. We are on a mission and hope others will join in our efforts." The track includes narratives from a women with breast cancer, a young child with lymphoma, and a man who discovers his diagnosis in its late stage.Johnson, Billy (May 22, 2014). "Lupe Fiasco Creates Booming Anti-Cancer Anthem, 'Mission'". Rolling Stone. It was thought to be the lead single from his upcoming album, Tetsuo & Youth, though was a standalone single instead.
On Sway in the Morning, he revealed that producer Chef Tone did not want to sing the hook, wanting to bring in someone like Beyoncé, though they were not able to afford it, so they asked Chef to remain on the track. Charlie Wilson came into the studio to do another record, though resonated with "Mission," and jumped on it.
== Cover art ==
The cover artwork was designed by Hebru Brantley, depicting a young man disappearing "into the air". Brantley also had close ones to him who battled with cancer, including his mother.Loring, Michael (June 5, 2014). "The Sitdown: Artist Hebru Brantley". Chicago Sun Times. In the press release, it said, "The art is inspired by people's will to fight cancer head on, with the color black representing the disintegrating disease and blue and yellow representing hope.""Lupe Fiasco Releases New Song, "Mission," to Honor Those Touched by Cancer". May 19, 2014.
== Gallery ==
File:Lupe Fiasco - September 5 2014.jpg
File:Lupe Fiasco - September 5 2014 (2).jpg
== Lyrics ==
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== References ==
Category:2014 songs
Category:Collaboration songs
Category:Explicit songs
Category:Lupe Fiasco songs
Category:Remix songs
Category:Singles
Category:Songs