Lupe Fiasco has sold millions of records and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but one goal not on his checklist is to follow in Jay-Z’s footsteps.


While many artists aspire to Mr. Carter’s level of success, the Chicago rapper is not interested in elevating his star. “I don’t want to be Jay-Z and be worth $400 million and perform on every awards show,” he tells Australian paper The Age.

Lupe’s plan is a little different. “It’s getting in touch with somebody who needs to improve their self-esteem, as opposed to driving a Bentley and putting some chains on.”

While they have collaborated previously, it’s safe to say Hov won’t be featured on Lupe’s third album Lasers, which was completed and submitted to his label Atlantic Records last month. “It’s an album we both feel comfortable putting out,” he says. “I’m somebody saying the things that maybe 98 percent of the music industry is not.”

Although he’s three albums deep, he still doesn’t consider himself a superstar. “There’s a misunderstanding with my fanbase. People [at Atlantic] feel they know my fans more than I do. They want me to step out of my comfort zone and step into theirs,” he reveals. “I don’t have necessarily the celebrity success they want me to have, but it’s more social success and being able to speak at a college about world affairs. That’s a success to me.”

Lupe will embark on his “Steppin Laser” tour with opening act B.o.B next Friday, March 5, in Claremont, Calif.