Air China

"**Air China**" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released in promotion of his docuseries, *Beat n Path*, exclusively to his website. It features guest vocals from Jeff Kung and Crystal Torres.

## Background

During his journey, Fiasco met a music producer in China, who talked about the history of hip hop in Beijing. The two later recorded the single together that documents Fiasco's experiences. The accompanying music video was directed by Leala Rose Smith, with clips interspersed throughout of Fiasco's travels. It is dedicated "in loving memory of Sensei Gregory Hamza Jaco."

## Credits and personnel

### Song

* Crystal Torres – vocals
* Jeff Kung – vocals, recorder
* Kai "SoulSpeak" Luen – producer
* Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – vocals, writer

### Video

* Bonnie Chan Woo – executive producer
* Camille Lurton – line producer
* Hannah Welever – director of photography
* Him Chong, Derrick Fong – DIT, colorist
* Kristin Mendez – 1st AC
* Leala Rose Smith – director, producer, writer, editor
* Ramone Hulet – 1st AD
* Videvo – visual effects
* Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – vocals, executive producer

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Lupe Fiasco]

(What they say, what they say, what they say)

Yeah

[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]

These red eyes in the night, looking like giants, not the flights

Colossus watching the optics, are brighter

These demons blocking the right, might hop up in the sky, and start boxing the lights

Through the haze finding ways of expression

Past like graves on a train, and feel a wave of protection

Wisdom is a prison, not a cage for correction

Is it real or is it feel, trying to gauge the connection

Discretion got me stepping like bears in the trap

VPN gang checking China Air with an app

No status on trying to keep that baggage to a minimum

Linen gi, lemon tea, beef noodle gimme some (Yeah)

Look around, look around, everybody's on their phones

It's a room full of people but everybody's alone

Looking down, looking down

I even got the monks getting down to the sound

[Hook: Lupe Fiasco]

I don't wanna leave, I just want to breathe Air China

I don't wanna die, I just want to fly Air China

[Verse 2: Lupe Fiasco]

Say, speaking to my sifu, finding gold in his counselling

Fire car speed through a hole in the mountain

Next to the businessman with his soul in accounting

Blessed be the hands that control the surroundings

Can we calculate fate

Can we look into the future and evaluate grace

Is it wisdom in the body, treat death like a job (eh)

Living like a hobby (eh)

Master the form, stand behind, copy (whoop)

I'm skilled to the way flies play on the anvil of the blacksmith

Martially off of fireworks sparkle at the funeral

The practice is incense turned to ashes in a sense

It represents life, and its vastness in a flash

What came before becomes floor for the inheritance of the assets

This too will burn and return to his place among the masses

But not before sitting still in the traffic

And I wish you could come here with me

But no crying allowed in these one tier cities

[Chinese Bridge]

[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]

My hotel ain't got no fours in it

Repeat the form to my mind, ain't go no wars in it

Fire in my belly, my doubts keep it warm in it

And don't authorize unless it's authentic

Ya hear me, even though you weary

Still move sincerely and do it all clearly

Listen to my father, I'm continuin' the saga

Faced with different missions, so I'm switching like the opera (Ye)

Bath stands, heaven's in the body and there's weapons in the lobby

The fat-faced baby, wise ladies

Imperfections, misconceptions, and assumptions

Stereotypes, corruptions and compunctions

Appropriations, mispronunciations and manipulations of the functions

We all let the junction like

[Hook: Lupe Fiasco]

I don't wanna leave, I just wanna breathe Air China

I don't wanna die, I just wanna fly Air China

## References

1. ↑ Ch, Devin (July 1, 2019). "Lupe Fiasco Drops His "Air China" Exclusive, Rife With Social Commentary". *HotNewHipHop*.
2. ↑ "Lupe Fiasco - Air China". *Vimeo*. November 2, 2020.