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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
"Around My Way" is based around a sample that was also utilized in the [[Pete Rock and CL Smooth]] song "[[They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)]]", a track that has evolved into a hip-hop staple since its 1992 release. [[Pete Rock]] himself, via his [[Twitter]] account, expressed intense displeasure at the song's producers for choosing "T.R.O.Y." as the backing sample,<ref>{{cite web|last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |url=http://www.spin.com/articles/pete-rock-slams-lupe-fiasco-crappy-troy-bite |title=Pete Rock Slams Lupe Fiasco for Crappy 'T.R.O.Y.' Bite &#124; SPIN &#124; Newswire |publisher=SPIN |date=2012-05-22 |accessdate=2012-10-01}}</ref> but soon afterward apologized for the outburst. According to an exasperated Lupe Fiasco, he and the label had reached out to Rock several months beforehand for his approval on using the original instrumental, which eventually had to be intricately replicated by B-Side and DJ Simonsayz; the "T.R.O.Y." song itself sampled work from [[Tom Scott (musician)|Tom Scott]] as well, which further complicated the legalities behind sample clearances.<ref name="swaysuniverse.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.swaysuniverse.com/music-news-2/sway-exclusive-lupe-fiasco-expresses-his-anger-and-disappointment-toward-pete-rock |title=Sway Exclusive: Lupe Fiasco expresses his anger and disappointment toward Pete Rock |publisher=Sways Universe |date=2012-05-24 |accessdate=2012-10-01}}</ref>
[[Pete Rock]] went on Twitter to express his displeasure at the song's producers for choosing "T.R.O.Y." as the backing sample, but then apologized for the outburst as according to Lupe, he and the label had told Rock that they wanted to use the original instrumental by Rock, Rock then later told that this is true and that he wanted to be involved in it.<ref>[https://twitter.com/#!/PeteRock/status/204715409839104000 @TheRealPeteRock |Twitter.com]</ref>


==Chart performance==
==Chart performance==

Revision as of 20:14, 20 September 2015

"Around My Way"
Song

"Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" is a song performed by rapper Lupe Fiasco. The song is based on a sample of Pete Rock & CL Smooth's 1992 release "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)".[1] It was the first single off his album Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1. It was released as a single on May 21, 2012.[2]

Music video

The music video was released on June 27, 2012, on 106 & Park and premiered on YouTube the same day. The video was directed by Alex Nazari and was filmed in Lupe's hometown of Chicago. In the video, Lupe's sporting glowing, demon-like eyes and has a "crew" in 2D Animation, along with what would be a rented car, all three used as a satire for the problems within the American social, economic and political project. Trae makes a cameo appearance in the video.

Controversy

"Around My Way" is based around a sample that was also utilized in the Pete Rock and CL Smooth song "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", a track that has evolved into a hip-hop staple since its 1992 release. Pete Rock himself, via his Twitter account, expressed intense displeasure at the song's producers for choosing "T.R.O.Y." as the backing sample,[3] but soon afterward apologized for the outburst. According to an exasperated Lupe Fiasco, he and the label had reached out to Rock several months beforehand for his approval on using the original instrumental, which eventually had to be intricately replicated by B-Side and DJ Simonsayz; the "T.R.O.Y." song itself sampled work from Tom Scott as well, which further complicated the legalities behind sample clearances.[4]

Chart performance

"Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" debuted at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 76

References

  1. ^ Listen: Lupe Fiasco - "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" |Complex.com
  2. ^ iTunes Store
  3. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (2012-05-22). "Pete Rock Slams Lupe Fiasco for Crappy 'T.R.O.Y.' Bite | SPIN | Newswire". SPIN. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  4. ^ "Sway Exclusive: Lupe Fiasco expresses his anger and disappointment toward Pete Rock". Sways Universe. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  5. ^ "Lupe Fiasco Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.