Anti-Semitic Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco rapped about ‘dirty Jewish execs’ in a new song. Then a wave of fans and detractors, including the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt, called him out for the lyrics.
December 14, 2016
On Tuesday rapper Lupe Fiasco dropped the following track. Pay attention to the 1:08 mark, in which he says the anti-Semitic verse: Artists gettin’ robbed for their publishing / By dirty Jewish execs who think that it’s alms from the covenant.
SoundCloud initially took the song down. Responses to the anti-Semitic lyrics poured in (here’s one from a fan with a Palestinian roommates), then he apparently called it quits.
I get the hint God.
Yo Lupe fans it’s been fun and I hope you’ve had fun.
I’m officially not releasing anymore music.
Albums cancelled
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 13, 2016
ADL head Jonathan Greenblatt called the lyrics “offensive,” adding that they “reinforce the anti-Semitic myth of Jewish control of the music industry, a stereotype that has been exploited in recent years by well-known hatemongers. It is irresponsible for a recording artist to perpetuate the hateful anti-Semitic stereotype of the ‘greedy Jew.’ ”
Then, Greenblatt and Lupe Fiasco got into it. Here’s the rapper, whose Twitter user name is “@peace,” defending himself:
I didn’t called them dirty becuz they were Jewish I called them dirty becuz their horrible fucking human beings @JGreenblattADL
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
Hahahahahah….you’re fucking crazy and you’re lost if you think I’m marginalizing Jewish music executives. That’s profound disconnect. https://t.co/w6e7vhIdTV
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
This is what happens at a Lupe Fiasco, Concert Columbia University NYC… fuck are you talking about??? Photoshopped right? @JGreenblattADL pic.twitter.com/pWDDxizJiL
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
This is what Lupe Fiasco merchandise looks like…#DeathToRacism #NeverAgain…the fuck are you talking about????@JGreenblattADL pic.twitter.com/P5lQVCyM2y
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
I made one with Noam on it too. hes from the Tribe too right? Oh that’s right y’all consider him an anti-Semite too right?? @JGreenblattADL pic.twitter.com/d6EtsjCAHI
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
How about this guy @JGreenblattADL ??? Howard Zinn. You know one of my mentors and intellectual resources. He just Semi-Semite tho right?
And it goes on from there.
Jonathan Zalman, a staff editor, runs The Scroll, Tablet’s news blog.
I’m Muslim & Black you signing up to get registered with us when they round us up ain’t the solution to the PROBLEM homey @JGreenblattADL
— peace (@LupeFiasco) December 14, 2016
Jonathan Zalman is a writer and teacher based in Brooklyn.
