Introduction

## Song by Lupe Fiasco

"**Introduction**" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released as the lead track from his mixtape, *Friend of the People: I Fight Evil* (2011). The beginning contains a recorded speech from American historian Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010). The next section alludes to the *Terminator* franchise, where John Connor was destined to lead the human resistance to defeat an empire of robotic Terminators. The machine, programmed to kill people, is switched to fight evil instead. Interestingly, there has been a debate on if technology will save or destroy humanity, though Fiasco appears to embrace its evolution, mentioning the positive aspects in creativity like NFTs and artifical intelligence.

## Background

In 2009, for readings from *The People Speak* premiere, Fiasco was in attendance. According to *Vulture*, he said about Zinn, "O.G. What he did and what he's pushing with the movie and the books and all that, I think it's something that crosses cultures, crosses beyond white, black, Chinese, Asian, whatever. You know, it speaks to everybody. We're doing a song..." He also read Zinn's book, *A People's History of the United States*.

To *Chicago Tribune* in 2012, he shared, "Howard Zinn had a sense of humor, and he realized the unpopularity and the futility of some of his views. But he never backed away from the importance of what he was saying. He was saying, 'I am preaching at you. I am a teacher. I have no shame in doing that'. Some of the people we hold in highest regard in this society, whatever our background, whatever our experience, are preachers".

## Critical reception

Alex Young of *Consequence* wrote, "sets the stage for anti-government sentiments. The mixtape's title already makes it clear that he's not shy about aligning himself with the 99%".

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1: Howard Zinn]

We have to stop wars, we have to stop this war

And we have to get out the habit of war

It's more than a habit, it's an addiction

We have to get out of thinking that we must be a military superpower

We must get out of thinking that we must have military bases, as we have in a hundred countries

Is it possible that having military bases in a hundred countries arouses a lot of antagonism?

Is it possible that it promotes terrorism when your soldiers and your sailors are all over the world, occupying this country and that? Is it possible?

Why do we have to be a military superpower?

Why can't we be a humanitarian superpower?

Instead of sending planes for bombs

Why don't we send planes for food and medicine?

[Verse 2]

[Soldier One]

Oh shit, it's one of the machines

Looks like it's trapped under something, it's broken or something

[Soldier Two]

Let's get out here -- we cannot stay

[Soldier One]

Hold on lemme get my keyboard, I can re-program this thing

[Soldier Two]

It doesn't matter. Leave it!

[Soldier One]

No seriously, I can do it -- just give me a second!

[Computer -- continuously]

Reprogramming unsuccessful

[Machine -- continuously]

Enemy -- I kill people

[Soldier One]

I swear to God, man, I can do this! I can do this!

Cross your fingers

You have to work!

All right, this is the last time

[Computer]

Reprogramming successful

[Soldier One]

Yes!

[Machine]

Friend... I... fight... evil..

## References

1. ↑ Yuan, Jada and Kuhns, Madeleine (December 11, 2009). "Thanks to Matt Damon, We May Finally Hear a Lupe Fiasco–Howard Zinn Duet". *Vulture*.
2. ↑ Kot, Greg (October 3, 2012). "Lupe Fiasco: 'I'm Afraid Chicago Is Dying'". *Chicago Tribune*.
3. ↑ Young, Alex (December 8, 2011). "Album Review: Lupe Fiasco – Friend of the People Mixtape". *Consequence*.