HIPHOPDX Lupe Fiasco

The mercurial and outspoken Lupe Fiasco is an emcee, singer, songwriter and producer who has always marched to the beat of his own funky drum. 

According to lore, Lupe initially had a disdain for Hip Hop because of the vulgarity and misogyny that persists within the genre.  However, like many of Chicago’s finest emcees in their formative stages, Lupe Fiasco took to his father’s basement to record music and further perfect the style that would eventually bring him to the attention of JAY-Z, who would help the young emcee sign to Atlantic Records.

Lupe Fiasco's' Food & Liquor' dropped in September 2006, which featured the hit single “Kick, Push,” the Grammy Award-winning duet “Daydreamin’” (featuring Jill Scott), as well as the Neptunes produced “I Gotcha.” The album peaked at No. 8 on the BIllboard 200 and reached No. 1 on the U.S. Top Rap Albums charts.

The follow up set, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, was released in September 2006 powered by “Superstar,” the lead single which would become his first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

After successfully avoiding a sophomore slump, Lupe’s Lasers would become one of his most highly anticipated offerings after lengthy delays whetted the appetite of the listening public. 

Lasers would drop at the number one slot on the Billboard 200 with “The Show Goes On” becoming the highest charting selection from the album. Lupe would go on to release Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album in 2012, Tetsuo & Youth in 2015,  Drogas Wave in 2018 and Drill Music In Zion in 2022.