Review: Lupe Fiasco’s “The Show Goes On” Music Video

Rating: 4.1 out of 5

     The video opens with Lupe Fiasco gazing in the mirror of his dressing room before he takes the stage to perform at a concert. Just one level above him we can hear the crowd cheering in anticipation of his performance. As he makes his way to stage level, the hallway begins to expand and contract around him, even becoming totally dark at one point with only the light reflecting off of his shades, watch and shoes left shining. The camera cuts to flashes of the crowd waiting for his arrival and shots of Lupe rapping alone with a black background and reddish rays of light following his movements. Eventually he arrives backstage and the curtain goes up.

     There were a few scenes in this video that I absolutely love. The first occurs when he transforms into a child as he is rapping about his childhood ambitions and dreams. Another scene I like is after he enters the elevator when he rises through what appears to be a lit-up map of the world as his song discusses the changes he hopes to make in the world.  

   This video was directed by Hiro Murai and includes several interesting film techniques. Some techniques he uses are shadow play, some green screen work, several instances of artistic lens flares, and colorization filters for different scenes. The scenes with shadow play occur mostly when Lupe is shown rapping by himself surrounded by a thick black background, created using a green screen. The shadows are used mainly to highlight Lupe’s movements as he raps. Also in these solo scenes, several different lens flares and flash effects are used to portray the fame and glamour surrounding Lupe’s lifestyle.

     If I could sum up the point of this video in one word it would be perseverance. When the curtains lift you see Lupe Fiasco standing in front of a cheering audience, demonstrating how he has persevered through his life struggles and conquered his own dream, and how with enough work you too can accomplish yours. This video is meant to be inspiring and to show how you should never give up on your dreams and how everyone who tries to stand in your way should know “even if they turn the lights off, the show is going on” and you won’t back down.

     Johnny G