Lupe Fiasco Releases Statement Regarding Leaked Song

On Christmas Eve, a brand new Lupe Fiasco track hit the Internet to the rapper's dismay. The song, titled 'I'm Beaming,' began popping up on blogs and forums just hours before the clock struck midnight on Christmas Eve. Throughout his career, Lupe has been plagued with early leaks. His debut album, 'Food and Liquor,' hit the streets several months prior to its scheduled release date in 2006.

Always one to be vocal in the personal anguish created by his music being released prematurely, Lupe released a statement via his MySpace page regarding the matter. "Plain and simple it's STOLEN property," he wrote in regards to the leaked track. "Actions are being taken and the authorities have been notified. As a personal plea to all my fans PLEASE DO NOT share, stream, or download any unauthorized or stolen Lupe Fiasco music."

Lupe asks fans to not share, stream or download any of his stolen music. "A lot of time and energy goes into the creation of this music, not to mention large sums of money, money provided by my record company as well as from my own personal finances," he said. "My music is the product of my life. It means so much to me. I take pride in it and I also take pride in how it changes peoples lives and gives them hope. So to see it treated in this manner really numbs the soul."

The Chicago-based rapper then really laid down the guilt trip. "So many of my family and friends rely on me for their well-being and I rely on my music to give me the opportunities that allow me to provide for them. So this one i'm taking personal. And I will do ALL that is in my power and my circle of influence to make sure that the persons directly or even remotely responsible for this and any future events involving the piracy and illegal distribution and solicitation of my music will be brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Prior to the leak, Lupe was scheduled to release a mixtape on Christmas Day titled, 'Friend of the People.' It was to follow its highly-successful predecessor 'Enemy of the State,' which dropped this past Thanksgiving. However, the demands of his charity efforts have taken priority over his recording schedule, and Lupe stated that he would be dedicating much of his time preparing for his climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise awareness for the global water crisis through the Kenna-led group Summit on the Summit. Currently, there is no official release date for 'Friend of the People.'