Lupe Fiasco: Difference between revisions
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{{cquote|<b>NobodySmiling.com :</b> <i>Now you've said many times that your album is modeled after `It Was Written,' and a lot of people wouldn't admit that because a lot people would be like He's biting or whatever. So why do you feel so comfortable admitting that?<i> |
{{cquote|<b>NobodySmiling.com :</b> <i>Now you've said many times that your album is modeled after `It Was Written,' and a lot of people wouldn't admit that because a lot people would be like He's biting or whatever. So why do you feel so comfortable admitting that?<i> |
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<b>Lupe Fiasco :</b> <i>Cause it's a classic. Like, people study-you study the masters, you know what I'm saying? Everybody that's rapping studied someone to learn how to rap. They had a rapper who was they favorite rapper that they wanted to be like and wanted to rap like, know what I'm saying? For me, I just look at it like I studied a |
<b>Lupe Fiasco :</b> <i>Cause it's a classic. Like, people study-you study the masters, you know what I'm saying? Everybody that's rapping studied someone to learn how to rap. They had a rapper who was they favorite rapper that they wanted to be like and wanted to rap like, know what I'm saying? For me, I just look at it like I studied a masterpiece. I modeled my album after a masterpiece; and not song for song; not line for line; not beat for beat. It was more-for me it was like mood for mood. The way he set the mood on that album to me was just like incredible. And at the time in my life-like, I fell in love with 'It Was Written' when I was seventeen/eighteen—a very impressionable time—so I was like I love that album. That's my favorite Hip Hop album, so it's like why not base your album on 'It Was Written?'}}</i>[http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/interview/86446.php] |
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Lupe has been open about his [[Islam|Islamic faith]], showcasing it in his critically acclaimed underground remix of friend and collaborator [[Kanye West]]'s "[[Jesus Walks]]", entitled "[[Muhammad Walks]]". He has noted the importance of religion in his life, stating, "Well, I was born Muslim, so Islam plays a part in my life and everything I do... I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know like my whole - the whole groupie situation is shut down." <ref>{{cite web |
Lupe has been open about his [[Islam|Islamic faith]], showcasing it in his critically acclaimed underground remix of friend and collaborator [[Kanye West]]'s "[[Jesus Walks]]", entitled "[[Muhammad Walks]]". He has noted the importance of religion in his life, stating, "Well, I was born Muslim, so Islam plays a part in my life and everything I do... I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know like my whole - the whole groupie situation is shut down." <ref>{{cite web |
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Revision as of 17:40, 21 December 2006
Lupe Fiasco |
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Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born on February 17, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois) known by the stage name Lupe Fiasco (pronounced LOO-pay) is a Muslim African-American rapper. Raised on the west side of Chicago as the youngest of nine siblings, Lupe developed a taste for art and a sharp artistic sense, which he says he owes to both his parents. His father was an African drummer, and his mother a gourmet chef who traveled the world.[1]
Origin of Name
Growing up, Wasalu had the nickname of "Lu", the last part of his first name. The "Lupe" portion is an extension of this nickname, which he borrowed from Chris Jackson, the name of a Colombian friend from school. The "Fiasco" portion came from him simply looking at the song "Firm Fiasco" from the album by the rap group The Firm and liking the way the 'fiasco' looked on paper. [2]
Career
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group,"Da Pak", and then signed a solo deal with Arista Records. In 2003 under Arista Records, Lupe dropped the single "Pop Pop" where he presented himself as a gangsta rapper with lyrics glorifying both gun use and jewels. [1] During this time, he also had guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know and K Fox (2003's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records. Jay-Z, emcee and current president of Def Jam Records, was so impressed with Lupe that he offered to sign him to Def Jam records (around the time of The Blueprint & The Black Album), but Lupe declined, having already started 1st and 15th. Jay-Z decided to assist him in the production of his album.[3]
In the early summer of 2006, West-Coast rap artist The Game said he wanted to do a collaboration with Lupe.
Endorsements
In January 2006, Lupe signed with major footwear and apparel corporation RBK, also known as Reebok. The relationship between the two began when representatives from the brand saw photos of Lupe wearing a cap from their skateboarding line, DGK, in the Chicago Tribune. When the two came into contact, Fiasco asked for some DGK products on the strength that he advertised for the brand. [citation needed] The company looked at the hype surrounding his name, his relationship with the director of Global Marketing for RbK International, and the fact that he was a sneaker enthusiast. [citation needed] Soon after, Lupe was invited to a few of the parties the company had thrown. [citation needed] The deal was a major accomplishment for the Chicago native, considering that apart from the other musicians on the Reebok roster, he was the only person to have not had an album released. Lupe was then tapped to be a part of the "O.G" marketing campaign, where Hip Hop artists such as Lil' Wayne and Mike Jones all designed their own personal colorway of the Reebok "O.G" model. [citation needed] He designed a white/grey model of the shoe, which is currently sold in footwear stores in malls across the world. Lupe and the rest of O.G. artists now grace magazine ads and billboards across the world.
Radio
In early 2006, Lupe and personal friend/hypeman Dusean Bishop G Dunbar started up FNF Radio, a college radio show broadcast online from WIIT, a college radio station located at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The show is reported to have, on average, close to 6,000 listeners a night. The music featured on the show is mostly hip-hop and many of the songs played are either his own, of the artists on his label "1st and 15th", personal favorites, or gag records. In between playing music, discussions are held on issues ranging from politics, music, sports, entertainment, etc. Also, 45 minutes into the show, a contest called the "freshen up package" is held where three questions are made up, and the first person to call in with the correct answers successfully, wins the prize(s). In the past prizes have ranged from clothing packages, skateboarding items, compact discs, etc. FNF radio is scheduled to air every Monday at 11:00 pm EST. Lupe's singles in order of release were "Kick, Push", "Daydreamin'" featuring Jill Scott, and "I Gotcha". His third single is titled "The Instrumental" which is produced by Mike Shinoda and features Jonah Matranga.
Personal life
Lupe Fiasco is the youngest of four brothers. He has five sisters. His father was a prolific African drummer, and his mother was a gourmet chef. Lupe began to rap when he was in the 8th grade, but began to pursue it fully when he turned 17. He is highly influenced by Crucial Conflict and Nas among others. Lupe regards It Was Written as one of his favorite albums and cites it as his primary source inspiration. For instance, when asked of his influences in an interview with AllHipHop.com, Lupe stated the following: "You know I really tried to go back and recreate [Nas'] It Was Written, you know what I'm saying like that? [I would play] It Was Written and then I would play my album, and it was like, `Do we got [this] record, do we got that record?'" [2]
In a following interview with Nobody Smiling:
NobodySmiling.com : Now you've said many times that your album is modeled after `It Was Written,' and a lot of people wouldn't admit that because a lot people would be like He's biting or whatever. So why do you feel so comfortable admitting that? Lupe Fiasco : Cause it's a classic. Like, people study-you study the masters, you know what I'm saying? Everybody that's rapping studied someone to learn how to rap. They had a rapper who was they favorite rapper that they wanted to be like and wanted to rap like, know what I'm saying? For me, I just look at it like I studied a masterpiece. I modeled my album after a masterpiece; and not song for song; not line for line; not beat for beat. It was more-for me it was like mood for mood. The way he set the mood on that album to me was just like incredible. And at the time in my life-like, I fell in love with 'It Was Written' when I was seventeen/eighteen—a very impressionable time—so I was like I love that album. That's my favorite Hip Hop album, so it's like why not base your album on 'It Was Written?'
Lupe has been open about his Islamic faith, showcasing it in his critically acclaimed underground remix of friend and collaborator Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", entitled "Muhammad Walks". He has noted the importance of religion in his life, stating, "Well, I was born Muslim, so Islam plays a part in my life and everything I do... I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know like my whole - the whole groupie situation is shut down." [4] In addition, the lettering of "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor" on the cover art of Food & Liquor is stylized to look like that of Arabic and/or Farsi calligraphy, designed by acclaimed NYC artist Rostarr. [5]
Lupe is open about his fascination with Japanese culture, citing A Bathing Ape founder, Nigo, as his idol. He is a big fan of anime, using a video clip from Tetsujin 28-go in the I Gotcha music video, and referencing Lupin the 3rd in the track 'Touch the Sky'.
Lupe is also known for his involvement in the "streetwear" culture. He frequently shows supports for brands such as FALSE/LMAC, DPMHI, CLOT, Dekoi and Artful Dodger. Lupe is also close friends with many of the owners of the brands he punts like Le Messie (FALSE/LMAC), Hardy Blechman (MHI), Edison Chen (CLOT) etc. He also has been known to post on the Hypebeast.com forum.
Lupe was strongly influenced by Tupac Shakur. On an episode of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, he was seen wearing a Makaveli-Branded T-Shirt while performing "Touch the Sky" with Kanye West.He is currently dating Tha' Rayne member Yummy Bingham [citation needed].
Notable Quote
Lupe Fiasco : When I retire, I want to step away on a positive note. What you put out into the world comes back to you. You actually change the world with what you do. I want to put some good in the world.”[6]
Awards
2007 Grammy Awards
Grammy Stats
- Career Wins: -
- Career Nominations: 3
| Lupe Fiasco's Grammy History | ||||
| Category | Genre | Song | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Kick, Push" | 2007 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "Kick, Push" | 2007 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor | 2007 | Nominated |
The awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 11, 2007.
Discography
Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
Food & Liquor
| |
 |
The Cool[7]
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | UK | |||
| 2002 | "Kiss Me" (Tha' Rayne featuring Lupe Fiasco) | - | - | - | Promo Single only |
| 2003 | "Pop Pop" | - | - | - | Promo Single only |
| 2003 | "Didn't You Know" (Tha Rayne featuring Lupe Fiasco, Tom Ducker & Joe Budden) | - | 75 | - | Reign Supreme |
| 2006 | "Kick, Push" | 69 | 79 | 27 | Food & Liquor |
| 2006 | "Touch the Sky" (Kanye West featuring Lupe Fiasco) | 42 | 34 | 6 | Late Registration |
| 2006 | "Daydreamin'" (featuring Jill Scott) | - | 63 | 25 | Food & Liquor |
| 2006 | "I Gotcha" | - | 86 | - | Food & Liquor |
| 2006 | "The Instrumental" (featuring Jonah Matranga) | TBR | TBR | TBR | Food & Liquor |
Guest appearances
- "Didn't You Know" by Joe Budden, Lupe Fiasco, & Tha 'Rayne (2003)
- "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West feat. Lupe Fiasco (2005)
- "Catch Me" by Dan The Automator, Lupe Fiasco, & Evidence (2006)
- "I Am Commin (Freestyle)" by Cache 22 feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
- "Change" by Joy Denalane feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
Mixtapes
Note: The following mixtapes are compilations of tracks put together by various Hip-Hop DJs. Not all of them are directly affiliated with Lupe Fiasco.
Notes
- ^ Fiasco, Lupe. "Lupe Fiasco". www.lupe-fiasco.info. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
- ^ Fruchter, Alexander. "Soundslam Interviews - Lupe Fiasco". SoundSlam. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
- ^ "NobodySmiling.com Lupe Fiasco". NobodySmiling.
- ^ Jigsaw (2006). "Lupe Fiasco: Revenge of the Hip-Hop Nerd". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2006-07-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Lupe Fiasco Interview with NobodySmiling". NobodySmiling.
- ^ Adaso, Henry. "Lupe Fiasco Profile". About.com. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
- ^ "Upcoming U.S. CD Releases". Lupe Fiasco. 2006-12-16. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- LupeFiasco.com Official Website
- Lupe Fiasco's Hypebeast.com blog
- Template:MySpace
- Lupe-Fiasco.net Lupe Fiasco Unofficial Fan Club.
- Lupe-Fiasco.infoLupe Fiasco Unofficial Fan Club.
- Lupe Fiasco And Islam
- Lupe Fiasco discography at MusicBrainz
- Preview Tilted from the "NBA Live 2006 (Original Soundtrack)"
- Music Video for "Kick, Push"
- Music Video for "Failure"
- FNF Radio from WIIT
- FNF Radio Podcasts
Interviews
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