Hip Hop Saved My Life
Encyclopedia
"Hip-Hop Saved My Life" is a viral video
single from Lupe Fiasco
's second album, The Cool. The track features the lead singer of the Indie/Hip hop group, Nouveau Riche
, Nikki Jean
. Although the song had a music video, it achieved most of its popularity on the internet and through word of mouth- being an underground or "street single" with little radio airplay or advertisement.
It was revealed on MTV that the song was based on rapper Slim Thug
's career but also dedicated to Bun B
.
, Willie D
, Nikki Jean
, K-Rino
, Paul Wall
, and Bun B
with Lupe Fiasco. In one scene towards the beginning of the video, a clip from the video for "Superstar
" (another one of Fiasco's songs) can briefly be seen playing on a television set.
as of May 31, charting at #25 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart, then peaking at #20 a week later.
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
single from Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
's second album, The Cool. The track features the lead singer of the Indie/Hip hop group, Nouveau Riche
Nouveau Riche (Philadelphia band)
Nouveau Riche is a Philadelphia based music group led by Dice Raw, who is associated with the rap group The Roots and Nikki Jean, known for her contributions on Lupe Fiasco's chart-topping album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool...
, Nikki Jean
Nikki Jean
Nikki Jean is a singer-songwriter, musician, and occasional actress from the United States. She was a part of the band Nouveau Riche, an indie/hip-hop band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. She is also featured on Lupe Fiasco's second album, The Cool, as a lyricist and vocalist...
. Although the song had a music video, it achieved most of its popularity on the internet and through word of mouth- being an underground or "street single" with little radio airplay or advertisement.
Content
The single is a heartfelt song that tells the story of an underground rap artist, his personal problems, and his struggle and desire to achieve success.It was revealed on MTV that the song was based on rapper Slim Thug
Slim Thug
Stayve Jerome Thomas , better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'"....
's career but also dedicated to Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
.
Music video
The music video, directed by Houston's own Dr. Teeth was released on March 18, 2008. The video recounts the story of a young up-and-coming rapper and the obstacles he struggles to overcome. The video includes appearances by Slim ThugSlim Thug
Stayve Jerome Thomas , better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'"....
, Willie D
Willie D
Willie D is an American rapper who gained fame as the lead member of the pioneering rap group from Houston, Geto Boys. Despite his reputation for being a hardcore artist who pens often provocative lyrics, Willie D is known for his diligent work in the community and many of his songs contain...
, Nikki Jean
Nikki Jean
Nikki Jean is a singer-songwriter, musician, and occasional actress from the United States. She was a part of the band Nouveau Riche, an indie/hip-hop band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. She is also featured on Lupe Fiasco's second album, The Cool, as a lyricist and vocalist...
, K-Rino
South Park Coalition
South Park Coalition is a coalition of Houston hip hop rappers which K-Rino, born Eric Kaiser, started in 1986, wanting to unite the talent in his South Park neighborhood and the city of Houston. Before that went down, many of the members were battling each other around the city and were at war...
, Paul Wall
Paul Wall
Paul Michael Slayton , better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as...
, and Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
with Lupe Fiasco. In one scene towards the beginning of the video, a clip from the video for "Superstar
Superstar (Lupe Fiasco song)
"Superstar" is a song performed by rapper Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos. It is the first single off his 2007 album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. iTunes released "Superstar" on September 25, 2007 along with a radio version of "Dumb It Down."...
" (another one of Fiasco's songs) can briefly be seen playing on a television set.
Chart performance
It has first appeared on BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
as of May 31, charting at #25 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart, then peaking at #20 a week later.