Lupe Fiasco- Conflict Diamonds

Conflict Diamonds
Lyrics:
Diamonds are forever,
they wont leave in the night i've no fear that they might.
Desert me!!
Uhh, F and F, uhh
Diamonds are forever
Yeah, ya no what im saying
I figure, I feel like i should just, ya no
Show people the other side that wonder where, ya no wat im sayin, that are presently unaware.
They dont know about it, ya no wat im sayin, ya no jus show em theres another side to this thing right here,
its called bling!
[Verse 1:]
Allow me to break down the game,
behind the bracelets, earrings, chains, watches and rings.
The bling,
the crystal incrusted, princess flooded, canary studded, blue coloured and blood stained.
Yeah the older brother of the drug game,
that give her a fame, then take away her lane.
the empowerer of the kings that came to claims and disease
believe wat the native people were saying.
Believe, my engagement ring received and flossed at the cost of a bondage child minus pain.
Long ago kings use to wear em in their armour, when they fought other armies, because it use to scare em.
If you wasn't rich couldn't wear em.
Witches use to marry, and they'd shoot you before they share em.
The gift and the curse, the venom and the serum.
Most hated ladies best friend get murked for a clip.
[Chorus]
Diamonds are forever...
[Verse 2:]
Cecil Rhodes sold war and genocide
To the countryside just to get his shine on!
I fear what De Beers and his peers use to do, before the world really knew, just to get their "mine" on!
Making paper with slave labour and hittin little kids with life time bids making em cut and shine stones.
Inflating the price and making em look nice and i wasnt thinking twice when i was putting mine on.
About a young shorty in Sierra Leone or other conflict countries that people call home.
I figured i would never go to Angola so it never did affect me that maybe indirectly.
That my neckleash was funding a rebellion or a military coup,
Started by militias that dont believe in following none of Geneva's rules.
I was brushing off the haters, trying to be cool.
Didnt have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers, raiders of the villagers, pillagers of the schools.
Shooters of the innocent, torturers of the witnesses, burners of the businesses
And my bracelet was the fuel.
Uhh, i aint pushing an agenda homie,
Im just pushing the facts, Fuck Bush!
Cuz theres people doin worse on this earth and there black,
I took it for years now let me bring it back,
We all know on foreign shores that they finance wars, but asks yourself do they finance yours.
When i first got mine i took em out on tour, they only lost half the value when i took em out the store.
Or it was full of moissanites and cubics but the jeweller knew i was stupid and that i couldnt prove it.
Feeling like i need it because i do music, to impress the groupies and the interviewers.
So i didnt appraise it, nor did i loop it, even gave em to my girl, thinkin i was cupid.
Homies was all hate hoping they could make me lose it, creeping through my own hood knew i had to remove it.
I see the Russian Mafia, the Jewish Mobsters, the undercover terrorists and the traps for the hustlers.
Homie its a wrap for the nonsense rhyming, props to Kanye i call this Conflict Diamonds

[@DeShyVu]

Powerful song. Lupe will always be the Best to me! I stopped buying diamonds after hearing this song the first time.

[@EmOsQuAnDa]

They played this in my history class... I LOVE IT!!!

[@coxworth50]

@ Right? Lupe > Shakespeare

[@chillx1698]

That’s beautiful 💯

[@danielriveria]

Diamonds - One of the greatest scams ever.

[@Skatedatbake101]

Lupe KILLS it in this song. 2:13 - 2:38 is some of the best stuff i have ever heard, all placed perfectly in a timespan of 25 seconds!

[@MrDavondrick]

Inflating the price and making em look nice and i wasnt thinking twice when i was putting mine on. Lupe is a beast wit the lyrics.,

[@Feelin2nice]

Awesome. True art is always good. Lupe is, quite simply, one of the best MC's of all time. Too hard to say who's the greatest, but props to Lupe for pushing the game forward and not dragging it backwards!!

[@spaniardprince]

Pathetic this song doesn't have more views. Lupe is one of the deepest rappers to ever grace the mic.

[@GbMemorys]

Idk if that was a coincidence but the ad was for diamonds lol

[@konnormk96]

I like how this song is just a sampleception. its a sample of diamonds of sierra leone, which samples Diamonds are Forever and also borrows lyrics from ms. Jackson. its fantastic though

[@ice2064]

This song iz on lupe's cd: Feirenheit 1/15 part2: Revenge of the Nerds

[@bigu236]

amazing flow + lyricism...this is not easy to do

[@7ahuful]

Nostalgia

[@articledon4880]

Haven’t heard this in years. But damn. This has to be the greatest display of rapping ever

[@christopherduggan6272]

it's God mode activated for sure

[@shortyrags]

i like the last line: "you gotta know to be a hypocrite..."

[@cashiusk969]

well sorry but most kids are blinded by those GLAM Hip Hop stylers! even if they rap today about weed and street drama, it is most likely an lie! how many of those good boys have really suffered drama in their live. Hip Hop is just about selling and fooling todays people. There are just a few rapers out there making still good old lyrical songs and LUPE is definitely one of those! Kanye is definitely one of the GLAM Rapers! Sorry if anybody is affronted of my statement but first learn about hip hop and then argue! Hip Hop never started with hatred or talking' about getting hoes and dollars, they rap about life time stories in a great manner and very well chosen words ;)

[@austinmoore97]

@MrIvan9595 Kanye has a good flow but his lyrics are god awful and aren't clever at all. Mainly because the record company most likely restricts on what he does. Same goes with other rappers. But Lupe on the other hand rises above the suppression from record companies and still produces bad ass stuff. In 1 min of freestyling, Lupe can spit more than most rappers can spit in their careers. Back when rap started, it was about the lyrics & the message. Now it's about the beat and nothing else.

[@TheAlsabe]

Just genius... million times better than Kanye

[@Fluco72]

id love to see someone who didnt stop and think about whats actually going on in real life after listening to this. when you can do that with your lyrics and have it sound as good as this. THE UNIVERSE IS THE LIMIT!!

[@nicholefraser9860]

LISTEn ppl i'm a huge Lupe fan... but DON"T DISS ON KANYE!!! HIS WAS BOMB effing HATERS ya'll can like ppl's music without hatin on Kanye daaam real mature!

[@HectorDaMan123]

damn all the diamonds ppl be wearin ussaly came from africa he sayin how kids and other ppl be torcherd in africa, n otha placs, diggin in mines, killin each other, ppl even hittin kids.... n while they goin though all that to get da diamond we jus buyin it, lookin flashy, and braggin bout it in our raps, i gonna keep wearin my ice but its jus good yet sad to know wat ppl go though to get them n how it affects everyone around them

[@ReeceyMaury]

this song has a deeper meaning than all of yall think

[@obeyhansolo]

I love Kanye, but Lupe’s version is so much better

[@wajeh77]

when i first listened to this back when it came out, i never bought another diamond ever since.

[@adrianhubbard2460]

As if you were out buying the whole jewelry store before this song. 😒😒😒. Ok baller.

[@sharpemang]

@@adrianhubbard2460 people do finance just like how anyone can finance or lease any luxury car

[@Nefarious_Bread]

We have lab grown diamonds now.

[@kevinc8955]

@@Nefarious_BreadYeah, just don’t look where the gold you set that fake diamond into comes from.

[@sajkiller11]

BEST RAPPER!!!!

[@Seggahhh]

Didnt have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers, raiders of the villagers, pillagers of the schools. Shooters of the innocent, torturers of the witnesses, burners of the businesses And my bracelet was the fuel. Yo I'm sorry but this line really spoke to me because I never thought of it like this, never thought twice, that's why lupe is the best.

[@JehBasquiat]

Every time hear this I think, "Black James Bond" 👀

[@dcdj35]

havent worn jewelry since this came out

[@idoforensics]

@austinmoor97 I believe that Lupe is on a completely different level than Kanye when it comes to lyricism, rapping, and flow in general. And a lot of Kanye's guest appearances are weak on songs. But he's great because his production often advances the music, not just provides background. And he's more personal in discussing his ego, sorrow, and emotions than anyone else. Both artists are great, but in a completely different sense

[@saradrai]

Lupe uses his raps and flow to invoke people to think. While I think he's lyrically underrated, I would hate to see every rapper in the world pushing the same style of flow or lyrical content. Music can express many different feelings, emotions or thoughts. It's simply a canvas an musician uses to paint his/her own pictures. So instead of hating Lil Wayne, lets congratulate them for having the freedom to express whatever they want. Music is a tree with millions of branch. Stop hating

[@arkadiusz89]

kanye's song is real if u listen to it he said a lot of real shit. he talked more about himself and how he came up and where he's at now. hence the title diamonds r forever. diamonds representing riches and what he attained and he's questioning whether its all gonna last. this song is completely different. lupe is better lyrically but both songs have great meaning to them

[@vietnv788]

"it's a rap for nonsense riming, props for kanye i call it conflict diamonds" bes rap line in decades....

[@mpvolbrecht]

@kissmychudys I actually didn't buy it after hearing the songs ahesad of time. There were about three songs I liked but still wasn't worth buying. You can tell the label screwed the album. They weren't going to release it so I'm sure that was leverage to use the corny hooks they wanted. The lyrics are still good like we are used to, but the hooks are obnoxious and the beats are whack. And he did a song with Trey Songs... that's an all time low for anyone's career.

[@Abriham14]

2024 and this is still relevant, FREE PALESTINE🇵🇸 END GENOCIDE! HANDSOFFYEMEN🇾🇪

[@Every1luvzME]

@jrealious Naw I found out he did address the problem but in the remix of the song. Which is weird.

[@LawrenceBooHolnessOfficial]

This Is My Favorite Hip-Hop Song - CCSpence8 - Conflict Diamonds - Lupe Fiasco [Year: 2007] [Album: The Cool]

[@mason1291]

its on Fahrenheit 1/15 revenge of da nerds i think if im not mistaken thats where i 1st heard it

[@Hoarseplay]

@Lascivious144 Listen to the Diamonds From Sierra Leone remix with Jay-Z. He actually talks about the Blood Diamonds in that one. I think the original was just for radio play.

[@jbee6986]

Should’ve been it’s own single!

[@shammyrulesalll]

Officer: so umm what happened here? Me: well i think i broke it Officer: Broke what? Me: the replay button...

[@MrBemore187]

Diamonds are forever, sex is for the moment.. but why is it that you love me more when im strokein?.. i used to think that women, were gods gift from above.. a gift to mend and stitch.. to stitch the cuts created by the women *,of our past who, cut up and destroyed our bliss.. but i let god down so many times hes pissed.. i guess thats y they say revenge is a BITCH..

[@Munards]

@MegaLildub yeh it is sad, rappers nowadays just rap bout w/e if u acually see lyrics so stupid and arrogant, this stuff lupe singing is real, this should be getting the fame, this is true, truth, stuff like this should be getting the fame, the fame is scared so they dont market these kinda songs, they dont want ppl to no truth, fuck them, this stuff is truth

[@shnook037]

lupe is so good with lyrics and everything makes sence.. hes the best!!!

[@SavageLatinoKid]

@austinmoore97 A positive message doesn't automatically make it better music. Lupe Fiasco may have a better message in his lyrics. But Kanye West is just a better musician plain and simple.

[@sameisie2010]

at least he actually sings about the situation. you're not listening to lyrics which is 75 per cent devoted to the singer/rapper. no offence to kanye i actually enjoy his version. but this song actually sheds light on what buying blood diamonds are doing.

[@wakeupworld100]

@aNtHoNyDcKiDdO Kanye is better than Lupe some days and Lupe is better than Kanye some days... recogn that.. no reply will be read.

[@dawer9121]

I honestly hate people that write `the 6 people that disliked this are...` but honestly, it`s really unbelievable that people don`t like this song!! the lyrics are godly!

[@akajambas]

@fuckingkimura If you think lupe is the only one who raps about the real you don't know hip hop! And if you think 2pacs only message was superificial you don't know tupac!

[@themochababy1315]

Lupe a genius. Actually just posted a video that's sort of a tribute, but also addressing how Hip Hop has become all about materialism. I spit it like I see it. - Ursa Maja | V

[@wakeupworld100]

@thatdood12 Kanye is better than Lupe some days and Lupe is better than Kanye some days... recogn that.. no reply will be read.

[@skatinwhenican]

The 2 People Who Disliked This Are Sheep.

[@ZeeAMV]

damn right

[@kingsleyokakpu7262]

Man one of the greatest lyricists ever bro

[@Every1luvzME]

@AliceStrangely01 Thats cause Lupe is actually talking about the problem and Kanye really wasn't.

[@redbullstatus]

kanye is dope.. but lupe is dope as well, i fuck with em both i dont see why this is being discussed

[@Chickensteak28]

HOW THE HELL CAN I GET THIS SONG?!?!?!?!?

[@nicknac1137]

@Seggahhh dude i know what you're saying. my favorite line from this song, so meaningful and the alleteration used is awesome. truly a work of art.

[@TheElectedKing]

too bad hes sayin hes retirin, the only good in all this rap bullshit mess

[@WatS1kPers0n]

Lupe's version of this was cool and yeah he may have even went deeper into the actual real life problem, but when comparing kanye's....not really close in my opinion... "...and they pray for the death of our dynasty like amen, buhbuhbut here stands a man with the power to make a diamond with his bare hands...." -Kanye West

[@marsrover5898]

you don’t get much better than this

[@vash2k2000]

@fuckingkimura you should Try to Talib Kweli are the people under the stairs

[@jigsaw710]

lol and right next to the song is a diamond advertisement. stupid utube.

[@kissmychudys]

@mpvolbrecht It wasnt worth buying I knew it would b mainstream so I cancelled my pre order, Im waiting for F&L 2 the album is not what anyone expected to be quite honest when Lupe came out and said he likes and hates his album that made me cancel the pre order, so i knew the music must have been made according to the record label................

[@BuckeyeMichael13]

@misterx2day Eminem is better, but Lupe is way better than Wayne

[@felix2341]

i doubt i will ever wear diamonds

[@RenagadeNif]

dude this is creepy but awesome. lupe killed it

[@austinmoore97]

I don't see how people could say kanye is better than lupe. Kanye raps no message and just throws abunch of cliche punch lines and beats. Lupe is original and sends the most positive message in hip hop.

[@mdubs2010]

I wanna see his Works Cited.

[@bboyfan22]

@AliceStrangely01 that's because he's better than kanye lol

[@Gobljnn]

Solomon, we are going to rescue your family!

[@imthetitsDD]

his flow is on point on this

[@MBryantFFNY]

@austinmoore97 Kanye is one of the best producers Hip Hop has seen... his tracks as far as beat go are far superior to Lupe's... His punchlines are far from cliche and his flow and wordplay are just as good as Lupe's... Just because you throw a message in a track doesn't that rapper is better than the next. That's a cliche opinion. Kanye is just as original as Lupe.

[@bboyfan22]

@bubbadude117 kanye is as good at making beats as lupe is at rapping they both have perfected their craft. I don't think kanye is anything more than an average rapper and at times he can be subpar but I honestly think he is one of the best producers out today. If he didn't have such a high opinion of himself and actually gave his best beats to the best rappers the resulting music would be legendary but his ego is to big to believe anyone is better than him so his songs turn out average

[@frankievelazquez8764]

way better than kanyes----------flawlessfrequency,com

[@bigu236]

the crystal encrusted-princess flooded-canary studded-blue colored and blood stained...thats flow

[@jrealious]

@Every1luvzME To be fair, Kanye did address the "conflict diamond" scenario. Not at great lengths but he did. And Iono if ya'll actually watched the video, but it addresses the problem as well. *Fun Fact* - Kanye got the idea from Lupe for the "diamonds" track.

[@smoquotes]

This…

[@thinkbetter49ers]

This is way better than West version

[@feargardz]

haha kanye must be burning, Lupe ripped the fuck outta his own track! no match up, Lupe > Kanye all day everyday. FNF is where its at!!

[@CPT12349]

@MakashiQ8 agree except tech.....his last album was a flop and it took too long for it to come out. hes a great emcee, but not elite

[@jubeidamasta]

@bnasty8240 because he has the rare combination of ability to flow and rhyme masterfully and excellently written thoughtful lyrics.

[@CPT12349]

@ebag111s chill bro. dont get a head of yourself. lupe is great as well as em....cant judge on age....

[@justinmikkoc]

Jay-Z no. 1 ARE YOU MAD lupe is far better than Jay-z. Eminem is on of the best rappers ever

[@autumngray3694]

Prince's Mitsubishi are among the top 100 arms-funding companies in the world, please boycott them...

[@TheAraber93]

@fuckingkimura There are others dawg. Immortal Technique, Lowkey, Akala, Dead Prez and Saigon ;)

[@mdabomb693]

@YoriATTACKS yo what is the FnF crew?

[@OnJoueTu]

Lupe Fiasco has always been my favorite Lyricist. Kanye has always been my favorite beatmaker. How have I never heard this before?!

[@For3ignboyz]

Nice Lyrics....Diamond Are 4 Ever.......But They Sure Almost Got Me Kill...Thanks To God Almighty 4 His Wonderful Works

[@heezy23456666]

i really like this song not only cuz it has sick lyrics but it really tells the listener the message of what the song is about lupe fiasco=greatest lyricist ever maybe best rapper idk

[@MegaLildub]

@misterx2day dont matter got the best lyrics nowadays just matter who can sell its sad

[@Mijumaru500]

@athi0s No, man. This is Lupe's take. He's just using the beat that Kanye used. :)

[@phillyplaya06]

for lupe it's cool as long as your not ignorant to it. look for conflict free

[@ARTIEXD]

KANYE IS NOTHIN COMPARED 2 LUPE

[@teemad]

Much better than the Kanye one.

[@shikamarutheballa]

wow i liked kanyes version then i heard this and then............

[@walterwhite4077]

This man went deep on this shit....Knowledge is powers niggas!!! XD

[@aparham48]

@fatman3336 when you hear the truth i know it feel it and manifest it

[@MrBemore187]

look up Swaggit team number 6 in the DMV.. I go by Be More nuff said

[@247Dumbcomments]

lupe goes hard and keeps it real

[@lamsaodaydaica]

Diamonds are forever...yeah because they are traded by blood.

[@Karrosken]

Kanye produced the song and supplied the beat I believe.