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Lupe Fiasco

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Lupe Fiasco

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco (IPA: [ˈluːpeɪ], LOO-pay), is an American rapper, producer and CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. Fiasco also sings and produces for the punk band Japanese Cartoon.[1]

Life and career

1982–2005: Early life and career beginnings

Fiasco was born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco on February 16, 1982[2] in Chicago, Illinois.[3] Born of West African descent,[4] he was one of nine children of Shirley, a gourmet chef, and Gregory, an engineer.[3][5] His father, who was a member of the Black Panther Party,[6] was a prolific African drummer, karate teacher and owner of karate schools and army surplus stores.[7] Fiasco was raised Muslim on the West side of Chicago.[8][9] At the age of three, Fiasco began taking martial arts classes.[10] By age 10, he earned his first black belt.[5] He attended Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois.[11] He initially "hated" hip hop music for its use of vulgarity.[8] He began rapping when he was in the eighth grade, and upon hearing Nas' 1996 album, It Was Written, began to pursue hip hop.[9][7][12]

Growing up, Fiasco was given the nickname "Lu", the last part of his first name, by his mother. "Lupe" is an extension of this nickname, which he borrowed from a friend from high school. "Fiasco," he says, "came from the Firm album. They had the song, 'Firm Fiasco'. I just liked the way it looked on paper."[11]

At age 19, Fiasco was in a group called Da Pak. They signed to Epic Records and released one single before splitting up.[13] Fiasco later signed a solo deal with Arista Records, but was dropped when president and CEO L. A. Reid was fired.[13] During this time, he had guest appearances on singles on Tha' Rayne's "Kiss Me" and "Didn't You Know" and also K Foxx's 2004 "This Life". He also released the song "Coulda Been" on a compilation of MTV's Advance Warning.[14] In 2005, he was featured on Kanye West's single, "Touch the Sky". This cameo plus his politically charged “Conflict Diamonds” mix-tape rhyme over Kanye West’s “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” as well as his “Kick, Push” single about skateboarding raised curious eyebrows from hip-hop aficionados, getting the new artist lots of attention.[15]

2006–2007: Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Fiasco at the 2006 Intonation Music Festival in Illinois

During this time, rapper and mogul Jay-Z heard Fiasco and assisted him in the production of what would become his debut album Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor.[16] Soon after, he released his first single "Kick, Push", a song about skateboarding and also a love story between two lovers with the same passion for skating. As his popularity steadily increased, so did anticipation for his upcoming album Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. The album was officially released on September 19, 2006. The album featured production from Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda, The Neptunes, Prolyfic, and more. Singles from the album were "Kick, Push," "I Gotcha" and "Daydreamin'"[17] featuring Jill Scott. The critically lauded album was later nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best Rap Album. In the same year, he was voted by GQ magazine as the "Breakout Man of the Year."[18]

2007–2008: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool

In 2007, Fiasco announced his second album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, a concept album that expands on the story of the track of the same name on his first album. While recording the album, Fiasco's father had died and his business partner, Charles "Chilly" Patton, was convicted of attempting to supply heroin and was sentenced to 44 years in prison.[6] The album was released in December 2007 in United States. The first single and video from the album, "Superstar", featuring Matthew Santos, was released the first week of November 2007. Baseball's Hanley Ramirez, Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Zimmerman, Gerald Laird and Ryan Braun have used "Superstar" as their at-bat song.[19] The song has also been featured in HBO's Hard Knocks TV show. The songs "Put You on Game" and "Little Weapon" are featured in the movie Street Kings in the latest trailer.[citation needed]

Fiasco performing in Melbourne, Australia, 2009

Also in 2007, it was revealed that Fiasco, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams had formed a group known as Child Rebel Soldier.[20][21] CRS has so far released one single, entitled "US Placers" and featuring a Thom Yorke sample. Since its release and the ensuing Glow in the Dark Tour, the group has not yet been spoken of any further.

In an interview with The Village Voice, Fiasco revealed that he was writing a novel about a window washer[22] aptly titled Reflections of a Window Washer. In 2008, Fiasco and his band 1500 or Nothin joined West's Glow in the Dark Tour, which also features Rihanna and N.E.R.D. The tour stopped in several cities, including his hometown of Chicago. In 2008, MTV named Fiasco the 7th Hottest MC in the Game[23] and announced that he was remixing The Cool with French electro house act Justice.[24] Fiasco's "Superstar" has been included in the video game Lips.[25]

2009–present: Lasers

Fiasco performing in Melbourne, Australia, 2009

Fiasco announced at a Chicago concert late in 2008 that his next and most likely final album will be a three disc album and that the first disc "Everywhere" would come out in June 2009. The trio was going to be named LupE.N.D.[26] On January 30, 2009, Lupe Fiasco originally announced that LupE.N.D. will be postponed indefinitely. Instead, he would release three albums; The Great American Rap Album in June 2009, two following albums in December 2009 and June 2010, with LupE.N.D. following afterward.[27] However, it was announced by Fiasco that his next album would instead be titled, "We Are Lasers"; yet later his official rep announced and confirmed that it would instead be titled simply "Lasers".[28] On June 26, Fiasco announced at the Chicago Theater that the album would be released fourth quarter 2009, most likely in December.[29] The album's first single, "Shining Down," features Matthew Santos and is produced by Soundtrakk. The single was released on July 7, 2009.[30] On January 26, 2010, 'I'm Beamin' released. This song is on Lasers, it is referred to as a 'taste' of what is coming. [31] There were a few snippets of songs that have been released as of August 24, 2009. The songs unofficial titles are "Army Girl," "Ladies And Gentlemen," and "2 Ways."[30] Lupe Fiasco has a bonus track called Solar Midnight on iTunes for the New Moon soundtrack in which he produced and performed himself. [32] On October 7, 2009, Lupe released a song in response to the release of MTV's 2009 "Top 10 Hottest MC's List," on which he was absent. Lupe stated that the track, entitled "Fire", would prove that he belonged in the number 1 spot on the following year's list.[33]

In October 2009, Fiasco released two new freestyles, "Turnt Up" and "Say Something". Both freestyles were included on his official mixtape Enemy of the State: A Love Story, released on November 26, 2009. The mixtape also included beats from Diddy's "Angels", Lil Wayne's "Fireman," and Radiohead's "The National Anthem."[34]

In an interview with Australian radio station Triple J, Fiasco revealed that the album had been submitted to his label with an estimated release date of mid-May 2010. Fiasco plans to go on a tour to promote his new album. The tour will be called Steppin Lasers Tour and tickets will be available in March 2010.

Fiasco provided a guest verse on the song Past My Shades from Atlanta rapper B.o.B's 2010 album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.

Philanthropy and business ventures

In 2002, Fiasco co-founded with Charles "Chilly" Patton 1st & 15th Entertainment (or "FNF"), a vanity record label under Atlantic.[35] Although Fiasco was initially to serve as vice-president, he became CEO after Patton was convicted on drug charges.[36][37] Fiasco and singer Matthew Santos were two of the most recognizable signed artists. In November 2009, Fiasco announced he would get "rid of the entire First and Fifteenth Record Label. Me and Sarah Green are the only artists on the label, like I got rid of the whole label. It was just such a ‘this isn’t right for you right now. This isn’t gonna work for you right now. You need to be focused on you. Do you really want that, do you really have the capacity to do it?’[38]

In January 2006, Fiasco signed with major footwear and apparel corporation Reebok becoming part of the "O.G" marketing campaign, where rap artists such as Lil Wayne and Mike Jones designed their own personal colorway of the Reebok "O.G" model.[39] Fiasco also runs his own fashion label under the name "Trilly & Truly".[40]

On January 7, 2010, Fiasco joined musician Kenna, actress Jessica Biel, and other celebrities and activists for an expedition to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro called Summit on the Summit to raise awareness of the billions of people worldwide who lack access to sanitary drinking water.[41]

On January 20, 2010, Fiasco released a track called "Resurrection" with Kenna in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The song, part of a compilation released through the charity Music for Relief, aimed to encourage donations for immediate relief and long-term recovery following the devastating disaster.

Discography

Main article: Lupe Fiasco discography

See also

References

  1. ^ JUST THE FACTS.... Lupe Fiasco.
  2. ^ Wikipedia Files interview of Lupe Fiasco
  3. ^ a b "Lupe Fiasco: Biography". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  4. ^ Lee, Chris (2006-10-01). "Kick, push, coast, rap". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  5. ^ a b Watson, Margeaux (2008-01-11). "Lupe Fiasco: The Art of Being Cool". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  6. ^ a b Collins, Hattie (2008-04-12). "Lupe dreams". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  7. ^ a b Blackman, Guy (2007-01-08). "Lupe Fiasco - a sheep in wolf's clothing". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  8. ^ a b "Lupe Fiasco: rapping outside the box". FindArticles. CBS Corporation. 2006-12. Retrieved 2009-04-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b Creekmur, Chuck (2006-02-10). "Lupe Fiasco: Revenge of the Hip-Hop Nerd". Allhiphop.com. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  10. ^ Morse, Russell (2006-09-07). "10 Artists to Watch 2006". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  11. ^ a b Fruchter, Alexander (2006-05-11). "Hip To Be Square". Soundslam.com. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  12. ^ Adaso, Henry. "Lupe Fiasco". About.com. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  13. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Lupe Fiasco: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  14. ^ MP3.com, 2006-09-26. Lupe Fiasco. MP3.com
  15. ^ Lupe's back-story on Exclaim.ca
  16. ^ Watson, Margeaux (2008-01-11). "Meet rapper Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's The Cool". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  17. ^ Cowie.F, Del."Lupe Fiasco Is Not Cool", Exclaim!, February 2008.
  18. ^ Lupe Fiasco Declared GQ's Breakout Man Of The Year
  19. ^ OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers (July 31, 2008). OnMilwaukee.com Recommends: July 31 On Milwaukee. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  20. ^ "Lupe and Kanye teamed with Radiohead". MTV UK. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  21. ^ Gudmundson, Darryl (2007-05-29). "Kanye, Lupe & Pharrell Form Supergroup???". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  22. ^ Dodero, Camille (2007-12-10). "Interview: Lupe Fiasco". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  23. ^ Lupe Fiasco Rises To This Year's number seven Hottest MC - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
  24. ^ "Justice Remix Lupe Fiasco". MTV. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  25. ^ Tom Magrino (October 22, 2008). Rihanna, Duran Duran kissing Lips mid-November GameSpot. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  26. ^ http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=844&fid1=34791] "Exclaim News". Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  27. ^ "Lupe Fiasco's Retirement Plans Deferred". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  28. ^ Martens, Todd (2009-04-09). "Coachella preview: Lupe Fiasco". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  29. ^ "The LupE.N.D. Blog: Lupe Fiasco's Lasers Update". Lupefiasco-lupend.blogspot.com. 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  30. ^ a b Shining Down [feat. Matthew Santos (Explicit Album Version).] Amazon.
  31. ^ Up for DiscussionPost Comment (2009-09-14). "Producers Take Lil Wayne To The 'Prom'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  32. ^ "JUST THE FACTS... - MySpace-blog | van Lupe Fiasco". Blogs.myspace.com. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  33. ^ "Lupe Fiasco Performs "Fire" (Response to MTV 's 2009 Hottest MCs List) for the First Time". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  34. ^ "The LupE.N.D. Blog: Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State: A Love Story [Mixtape]". Lupefiasco-lupend.blogspot.com. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  35. ^ "History of Record Labels: 1st & 15th Entertainment". Recordlabelhistory.blogspot.com. 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  36. ^ "Lupe Fiasco's Record Label Partner Sentenced To 44 Years, Denies Involvement In Drug Ring". Hiphoprx.com. 2007-06-04. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  37. ^ "Lupe Fiasco's Business Partner Sentenced to 44 Years in Drug Case". XXLmag.com. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  38. ^ "Lupe Fiasco: Don't Forget'em". Rubyhornet.com. 2009-11-09. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  39. ^ Simona Siad (2007-01-03). "Would you like music with your [[Reebok]]?: DJ Mick Boogie mixes tunes for kicks, and for fun". Excalibur. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  40. ^ "Trilly & Truly®". Trillyandtruly.com. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  41. ^ Santigold and Lupe Fiasco to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro With Jessica Biel. 11 December, 2009.<http://pitchfork.com/news/37376-santigold-and-lupe-fiasco-to-climb-mount-kilimanjaro/>
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