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Lupe Fiasco

While most rappers today parrot on and on about a narrow spectrum of subjects - 20 inch plus rims, loose women, automatic weaponry, and illicit narcotics - Lupe Fiasco is unfraid to ditch this sort of tired superthug rhetoric. Born and raised in the rough-and-tumble neighborhoods of West Chicago, Lupe - real name Wasalu Muhammad Jaco - was influenced as much by rap acts like Nas and Crucial Conflict as he was by skateboarding, Japanese animation, and video games. He began rapping in high school, joining a group called Da Pak at age 19. Though the group soon dissolved, Lupe continued to pursue a career in rap as a solo artist.

After a failed deal with Arista Records in 2003, Lupe finally got his big break when he signed to Atlantic Records (D4L, Gnarls Barkley) in late 2004, bringing along his own 1st & 15th Entertainment imprint. After gaining momentum with a number of underground mixtapes and a highly respected appearance on Kanye West’s hit track "Touch The Sky", Lupe Fiasco finally entered the big leagues with the release of his debut album, Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor, in 2005. The critically acclaimed album featured production by The Neptunes and Jay-Z, spawning three solid singles in the form of "Kick, Push", "I Gotcha", and "Daydreamin".

Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor eventually rose to the #8 spot on the Billboard 200, with Lupe’s laid-back demeanor and witty lyricism (largely free of foul language) stealing the show. Following a highly-publicized 2007 tour with Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco once again turned the rap game on its head when he dropped his sophomore album Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool by the year’s end. Featuring a darker tone than his previous release, The Cool was a concept album loosely revolving around three characters (The Game, The Streets, and The Cool) and the trials and tribulations of inner-city life. The Cool eventually earned a Gold certification from the RIAA, riding on the success of singles like "Superstar" and "Hip Hop Saved My Life".

Currently, Lupe is involved in a side project called Child Rebel Soldier with fellow alternative-rap superstars Pharell Williams and Kanye West; so far they have released one song, "US Placers", a collaboration with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. Though he tends to keep quiet on the subject, Lupe is also hard at work on his third album, tentatively titled LupEND, which probably won’t see the light of day until sometime in 2009.

From Discogs:

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born: February 16, 1982) is a Rapper/Producer from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

From Lastfm:

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop artist and producer. He first became known to the mainstream hip-hop community in 2005 when he appeared on Kanye West's album Late Registration on the track "Touch the Sky." In 2006 Lupe released his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor on Atlantic Records, and in December 2007 he released his second full length album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. His next studio album, entitled Lasers, will be based on his high school life and will be released in 2011.

Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group Da Pak and then signed a solo deal with Arista. His years at Arista only led to the 2003 promo single "Pop Pop" as well as 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.

Rapper and current president of Rocafella, Jay-Z was so impressed with Lupe that, even though he couldn't sign him to Def Jam, he decided to executive-produce his album anyway.

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From Wikipedia:

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco (pronounced /?lu?pe?/ 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. He also performs as the frontman of Post Punk band Japanese Cartoon under his real name.