Avg Rating: 
4.3 ( 87 total votes )
Lupe Fiasco - Shining Down
Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Producer: Soundtrakk
Album: Lasers
Label: First&Fifteenth/Atlantic
If you’ve already heard the lead single off Lupe Fiasco‘s forthcoming third LP, chances are whatever site you visited has received an Email or two from the rapper’s people at 1st & 15th; though Shining Down popped up on the ‘net on Monday night, bloggers have since been asked to remove download links. As for the single itself—which we’re streaming with the express permission of Lupe’s label—it’s some impressive stuff. Soundtrakk‘s lushly sinister synth-guitar groove sets the stage for plenty of the cerebral lyricism that fans have come to expect, and, unsurprisingly, there’s way too much going on here to sum up in a neat couple lines. It’s clear that Lupe’s still got plenty to say about the music game, and certain incidental details that would hardly register in another rapper’s record (a few Autotune-enhanced bars, a melodic reference to Lollipop in fellow Midwesterner Matthew Santos’ hook) here come across as cryptically pointed. Shinin’ is equal parts pop appeal and forehead-wrinkling subtext (vintage Lupe, in other words), and the scrutiny it invites should keep fans occupied as they wait for Lasers to receive a solid release date.
This song first appeared on the
Rap Chart
on June 22, 2009
Listen to More: Lupe Fiasco Written by richard
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Showing 50 of 87 Ratings. See All Ratings
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
 not bad
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 908 |
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I was dying for this to come out, man I was so desperate I was playing the low quality one!
Song is fantastic, with great contributions from everyone. Soundtrack does DOPE with the guitar. Especially loved Lupe's last verse. "I don't idolize America, I'm dancing with the stars." Here's to still holding out on that last 15% percent (see: his DJBooth interview), though I think that small chance has been scrapped. Screams the siren calling for the movement! L.A.S.E.R.S., huh? Liking it. That's something I'm willing to push. |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
love the production. nice hook. lupe shines
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i love it! been waiting on this for some time.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1077 |
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I'm biased because I LOVE Lupe, but this track was tight. It's nice to actually hear the polished and approved version... Wit Lupe its all about the lyrics, subject matter, and/or story; and this track displays all three. The production is great, I love the guitar. Santos sings yet another great hook, this one being pretty eerie. It doesn't have great hit potential, but his avid fans will love it.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I Love Hip Hop
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Rating:
dope. doesn't look like he'll retire after all
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
I heard the rough version a month or so back and am so happy that they finally mastered it.
Gotta love Lupe going at the autotune too. Certified Banger |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11633 |
Rating:
Lupe does not make anything but classic music. My feelings on this matter have nothing to do with the fact that he and I share a hometown.
He is what hip hop is in 2009. Shouts to Kay! 
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1622 |
Rating:
I, too, have been listening to the distorted version for weeks. SO SO glad to finally have the o-ffi-ci-al!
Lupe remains a favorite of everybody because he doesn't over-expose himself. You RARELY see him popping up on featured spots or dropping an average track every couple of weeks. Another smash from one of my top 3 artists out there, this was pure greatness from production to lyrics to the overall feel you get from the song. Welcome back! |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 639 |
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It's Lupe....nothing else to say!!
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 27 |
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im feeling the production and this duo is always smooth
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 334 |
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Always liked Lupe, I'll be waiting for the Album...
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1642 |
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ehh its alright.
i expect more from him, this just seems like an average lupe track VS the bangers he's had in the past. |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
Rating:
The production fits the album title, and this is just a typical lupe song (Classic flow). I think like all lupe songs it will have to grow on me a little, but the singles he chooses usually are the weakest on the album, but still great none the less. I think if Lupe would have sped up his flow on here it would have been a little better. The auto-tune thing I didn't like and Matthew Santos got a little annoying in parts. Otherwise this is a great song and is getting me pumped for Lasers.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
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I like it.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Its okay to me.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew |
Rating:
So Lupe allows streams but no DL links? SMH
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1189 |
Rating:
Greatest Rapper Alive!
The production is great, Santos is solid & I still havnt heard a bad verse from Lupe (ever). QUESTION: Is it Lupe's choice not to do collaborations, or is he just neglected by the other industry heavyweights because he dosnt rap about the normal themes in hip hop? |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1337 |
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I don't see what great about this track...
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 603 |
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Brilliant. Just brilliant =D
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 267 |
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haha, much better now that its cdq. love good stuff from Lupe, which is easy, because its all..good..stuff.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 77 |
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boring. Not a banger for me, but i can see why you like it. Very lyrical.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2281 |
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I've been waitin for this forever. I love Matt on the Hook. When is his album droppin. Lupe is Sultan of this rap shit! Lasers is the album I am most lookin forward to, next to the obvious. Nothin less that classic
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
Rating:
HOT TRACK
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Rating:
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
Rating:
Lupe is on my Top3 rappers ever! but this song... wouldn't make my Top20 Lupe songs ever! :s See my dilemma?
As much as I'd like to give it a higher rating, the background music is simply not that pleasant! I love the concept and lyrics, Lupe's vintage flow, the ironically good autotune part, but not the overall melody and those messy strings/synths. (It reminds me the plain awful effect on "Ayo Technology" in a slower version) The chorus was also a bit schizophrenic. Better examples of Lupe songs that are not radio-ready but classic sound in my ears are: Fighters, Intruder Alert, Put you on game... I really don't feel the pop appeal Richard. This might be a good song, but not a good single. |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Hot. All Lupe does is make good music. The production is hot and Santos does great on the hook, but I felt like Lupe was average (by his standards). If Lupe brought his 'A' game, I'd give this 5 Stars. I can't wait for the album, the guy is one of the best rappers around.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
this song is incredible case-closed and am i the only one who noticed the subtle shots he takes in it ?
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 424 |
Rating:
I've always thought Lupe is right up there but I prefer when he has a faster flow (like 'Hip Hop Saved My Life') but this one is sort of creepin into classic status because you can't get enough of Lupe. Is he ever gonna do a djbooth freestyle.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 101 |
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When Lupe and Matthew Santos pair up its usually somethin epic. Soundtrakk comes through with solid production on this one. 5 star classic
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
dope song, nice beat, tight lyrics.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 365 |
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definition of proper autotune, this track highlights how hip hop is changing with the times, absolutely nothing wrong with the old school style, but this is 2009....here we are.
@Stunna...Lupe freestyle hell yea! |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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Strong production, honest lyricism, incredible diction & the ernest desire to craft something more original that the blase blah most underground rappers kick. I feel this won't be as big of a Single as "Superstar" was cos the hook on this is not as melodically catchy if one compares it with Superstar's hook.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
Rating:
Love the story-telling ability Lupe brings to his tracks. This isn't my favorite, but still a pretty solid album. Lupe loves working with Matthew Santos, huh?
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 904 |
Rating:
EPIC Track - one of the hottest I've heard from Lupe. That beat is haunting and the hook is executed perfectly by Santos. Aussie, Lupe doesnt do Collabos because he would make most of the rappers out there look bad next to him. Personally I hate when an album has 100 other people on it (i.e. The Game).
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
This song is amazing. Ive also been waiting for this song for a little while.
I love it how Lupe is kind of indirectly going at Lil Wayne. The melody sounds like Lollipop... He uses the Auto-tune for a little then he just disowns it in the Hip-Hop scene Its Lupe, so you know that the lyrics are going to be on point. And also Lupe only collabs with HIP-HOP artists and artist that want to make Good music. You will most likely never see Lupe collab with the likes of Ross, Lil wayne , T-Pain..etc But Great Song!!!!! |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 40 |
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Wow....Lupe is a musical genius. This is what hip hop is.. music
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
It'z about time I heard Some new music from Lupe Fiasco! I'm feelin this track a lot..
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 56 |
Rating:
Admittedly, I'm pretty ignorant of Lupe Fiasco and his music. I've heard great things about--especially on the booth--but I never have listened past the "Kick Pushes" and the "Superstars." An embarrassment, I know, but for some reason I've always had trouble giving a deserving look at anyone outside commercial hip-hop.
That said, this track to me is golden. Love everything about it; 5 stars. Best Lupe track I've ever heard (knowing my sample size is limited). Anyone else got any suggestions of classic Lupe music? |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
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this is greatness, classic joint from LUpe. lesss go LASERS!!!
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 180 |
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really feelin it. def somthin i can bump to.
n plus lupe never dissapoints yall! |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 33 |
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This is so fresh and a breath of fresh air. This is what Hip Hop about. CLASSIC. Lupe brings lyricism, a message, and a nice production.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 213 |
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I love EVERYTHING about this track - the production, hook, lyrics are all on point. It's a great song, like just about every other song Lupe puts out. I can't wait for "Lasers"!
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
Rating:
This is just classic Lupe right here. The hints of autotune is interesting but Lupe has so much skill he can get away with it and have the song still sounnding hot. The production is addicting and Lupe's rhymes make you listen more than once to them. The hook by Matthew Santos is dope as well..this combination always makes classic tracks. I cant wait til Lasers comes out! Amazing track from Lupe!!
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 7959 |
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This is SICK right here! I was afraid that Lupe wouldn't come back out again, but after hearing this, I am ready for my third serving of LUPE!!! GREAT TRACK! CLASSIC $HIT!!!
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Perfect balance of pop appeal
and great lyrics can't wait for LASERS! 5/5 CLASSIC |
| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 360 |
Rating:
great song, been on repeat since it leaked and some retarded blog (in my favor) didn't take down the DL yet. the flow threw me off at first but I've come to love it, and the beat is absolutely crazy. the chorus is epic, although it's not scitzo, it's referring to the dead watching above... perfect melody, perfect song. lupe can't go wrong
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
had to rate this a full 5. this is funny its not even the mastered version and its still fire.
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| Posted on Jun 17, 2009 |
Showing 50 of 87 Ratings. See All Ratings
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