Kiosk

## Song by Lupe Fiasco

"**Kiosk**" (stylized in all caps) is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the fifth track from his eighth studio album *Drill Music in Zion* (2022). The song comes from the perspective of a kiosk owner selling their wares to potential buyers. It addresses capitalism and conspicuous consumption. Additionally, the track is placed in the middle of the album, matching with the lyric "middle of the mall," where kiosks typically reside.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1]

Hey, you looking over there

I got something to show you if you got the time to spare

The quality's the highest and the price is very fair

It's honestly the nicest thing that I have ever shared

You look like the type that likes a diamond in his ear

To walk around the town and be so shiny and revered

Come across his boss and be so timely and prepared

Look like a million dollars off of signing with the Bears

I don't mean to be so deeply inside of your affairs

But if I liked getting ripped off, then I'd be over there

But that's why I'm over here, with that you should beware

I'm only saying this because I really, really care

[Chorus]

I think it's more a temple, not a stall

But, no, not a religion, not at all

I know it's kind of simple and it's small

But that's 'cause it's the middle of the mall

If you wanna show off and just ball

Or your intention is the drawers

We got credentials for it all

Welcome to the middle of the mall

[Verse 2]

You ain't got a budget for these nuggets

You can keep it Plain Jane or blow out they brains when you in public

The matching ring, chain gon' look insane when you untuck it

They'll never know the difference, even if you let 'em touch it

Now if you are a rapper or a trapper on the job

It don't really matter if you get jacked or you get robbed

You can go on, let 'em have it, it's not a factor or a prob'

Only thing that's gonna happen, you gon' get attacked by all the blogs

But to regular people you gon' be sharp

And you gon' be so attractive on the block

Now, it might make you a magnet for the cops

But please don't let them haters try and drag you from the top

[Chorus]

You ain't gotta be a criminal involved

Know how to rap or knack for dribbling the ball

Or be a prince or an emperor at all

Everybody's equal in the middle of the mall

We are not the center of applause

But secretly the center of the cause

This is where the finishers evolve

In the middle of the malls

[Verse 3]

Diamonds only worth what you are willing to pay

A deceptive game you are killing to play

Now I have diamonds, it's odd feeling this way

But when they start to sparkle that star-glittering glaze

It sways, takes your mind off todays

Where preachers can praise AIDS as God killing the gays

What a fucking phrase, never ceases to amaze

But when he dies from cancer, that's God's mysterious ways

Jesus saves African sold slaves

Gabriel's in Afghanistan passing out AKs

It's a rage

The diamond sometimes are suedes while putting 'em to the blade

I have hesitations

There, I've put it all on the table, I have my reservations

Besides, we'll find something else useless to put our faith in

You won't finish this here, we'll pick up after meditation, uh-huh

Uh-huh

Uh-huh

[Outro]

It seems you've got the spirit of the appalled

And you've got the lyrics and the drawl

I know some people would love to hear it how you call

You should join us in the middle of the mall

I'm cool, man, I've got a watch already

Well, excuse me