"Lasers Manifesto (Interlude)" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released as the fifth track from his mixtape Enemy of the State: A Love Story (2009). It samples the 1969 song "Doggone" by Love and his own 2009 song "Shining Down," with production handled by Soundtrakk.
Background[]
The manifesto was published to YouTube in June 2009 in the form of an ad campaign, which was the very foundation of Lasers.[1] In the "Words I Never Said" music video, it also appeared:
To every man, woman [and] child... We want an end to the glamorization of negativity in the media. We want an end to status symbols dictating our worth as individuals. We want a meaningful and universal education system. We want substance in the place of popularity. We will not compromise who we are to be accepted by the crowd. We want the invisible walls that separate by wealth, race & class to be torn down. We want to think our own thoughts. We will be responsible for our environment. We want clarity [and] truth from our elected officials or they should move aside. We want love not lies. We want an end to all wars foreign [and] domestic violence. We want an end to the processed culture of exploitation, over-consumption [and] waste. We want knowledge, understanding [and] peace. We will not lose because we are not losers, we are lasers! Lasers are revolutionary. Lasers are the future.
Fiasco further explained, "Lasers are the opposite of losers. Lasers are shining beams of light that burn through the darkness of ignorance. Lasers shed light on injustice and inequality. Losers stand by and let things happen. Lasers act and shape their own destinies. Lasers find meaning and direction in the mysteries all around them. Lasers stand for love and compassion. Lasers stand for peace. Lasers stand for progression. Lasers are revolutionary. Lasers Are The Future."
He informed Loud and Quiet of the record's concept and relation to Fiasco Friday (which had 30,000 signatures and an organized peaceful protest outside of Atlantic Records' headquarters in New York City), "The album was supposed to insight social activism and get people out there doing things in the real world, but they did that without hearing it; because they couldn't hear it! It was all because of the manifesto, which has been looping online for two years."
Lyrics[]
We will not compromise who we are to be accepted by the crowd
We want substance in the place of popularity
We want to think our own thoughts
We want love, not lies
We want knowledge, understanding, and peace
We will not lose, because we are not losers
We are LASERS
References[]
- ↑ "Lupe Fiasco - The L.A.S.E.R.S. Manifesto". Hypebeast. June 29, 2009.