Lupe Fiasco

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known as Lupe Fiasco, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and music educator born and raised in Chicago. He gained mainstream recognition for his guest appearance on Kanye West's 2006 single "Touch the Sky," which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Lupe developed an interest in hip-hop as a teenager after initially disliking its vulgarity and misogyny, leading him to adopt his stage name, begin recording songs in his father's basement, and join Da Pak. He later signed with Atlantic Records, releasing his debut studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (2006), which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 and earned four Grammy nominations. The album spawned hits "Kick, Push" and "Daydreamin'" (featuring Jill Scott), the latter winning Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.