Lupe Fiasco
Born 1982 · Age 43
American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and educator known professionally as Lupe Fiasco. Emerged with 2006 debut Food & Liquor; acclaimed for lyricism, concept albums, activism and teaching roles at institutions including MIT and Johns Hopkins.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Chicago (Wasalu Muhammad Jaco)
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco born in Chicago, Illinois; youngest boy in large family, raised Muslim.
Begins martial arts training
Started taking martial-arts lessons at age three under influence of his father, a martial-arts instructor.
Parents divorce; moves to live with mother
Parents divorced when he was five; lived with his mother thereafter while remaining close to his father.
Moves to live with father full-time (Harvey, IL)
In sixth grade he moved to live with his father full-time in Harvey, Illinois.
Begins rapping (middle school / eighth grade)
Started writing raps and performing poetry-turned-rap in eighth grade; early storytelling focus.
Influenced by Nas' It Was Written
Cites Nas' 1996 album It Was Written as a turning point that pushed him toward lyric-focused hip-hop.
First major industry interest (Aftermath offer)
Reportedly offered first record deal from Aftermath Entertainment (early industry interest).
Begins recording in father's basement
Set up a home studio using secondhand gear and began creating solo music in his father's basement.
Joins Da Pak; signs to Epic Records
Joined the group Da Pak at about 19; Da Pak signed to Epic Records and released one promotional single before disbanding.
Co-founds 1st & 15th Entertainment
Co-founded independent label 1st & 15th Entertainment with Charles 'Chilly' Patton (named after twice-monthly pay dates).
Works as short-order cook during youth (early job)
Worked 40 hours/week as a short-order cook while in high school (reported in Biography Today).
Signs solo deal with Arista Records (later dropped)
Signed a solo deal at Arista; was dropped after L.A. Reid left the company.
Manager Charles 'Chilly' Patton arrested
Patton was arrested in a law-enforcement investigation; Fiasco was acquitted of drug charges though Patton was later incarcerated.
Introduced to Jay‑Z; moves toward Atlantic Records
Met Jay‑Z during Arista tenure; Jay‑Z helped Fiasco secure a deal at Atlantic Records.
Releases Fahrenheit 1/15 mixtape series (early installments)
Began releasing the Fahrenheit 1/15 mixtape series online; built grassroots buzz with remixes and demos.
Featured on Kanye West's 'Touch the Sky' (Late Registration era)
Guest appearance on Kanye West's 'Touch the Sky' (Late Registration cycle); single peaked in Billboard Hot 100 top 50.
Remix 'Conflict Diamonds' catches Kanye West's attention
Lupe's remix of Kanye's 'Diamonds from Sierra Leone' (Conflict Diamonds) drew Kanye's attention and led to collaboration.
Righteous Kung-Fu founded (fashion/creative company)
Founded Righteous Kung-Fu, a creative company designing apparel, toys, games and more.
GQ 'Breakout Man of the Year' & MTV Woodies recognition
Voted by GQ as 'Breakout Man of the Year' and won MTV Woodies Best New Artist.
Appears on magazine covers and industry lists
Featured on Billboard and The Fader covers and ranked on various 'artists to watch' lists (Rolling Stone 2006).
Early net worth estimate after debut
Estimated early career net worth after debut album and endorsement (illustrative estimate).
Design work for Reebok (shoe colorways)
Worked on design/contributed to Reebok 'O.G' artist colorway models.
Signs Reebok endorsement (O.G program)
Signed with Reebok as part of the 'O.G' marketing campaign to design an artist colorway.
'Kick, Push' single released; first Hot 100 entry as lead artist
'Kick, Push' (skateboarding-themed single) marked his first Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist and earned Grammy nominations.
Debut album 'Food & Liquor' released
Released debut Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (Sep 19, 2006); album debuted at #8 on Billboard 200 and sold ~81,000 first week.
Father dies; close associates face legal trouble and violence
During recording of The Cool his father died (type II diabetes complications); manager/partner Chilly was convicted on drug charges; friend Stack Bundles was murdered—events impacted album tone.
Forms Child Rebel Soldier (CRS) with Kanye West & Pharrell
Member of supergroup Child Rebel Soldier; CRS released single 'Us Placers' and performed on Kanye's Glow in the Dark tour era.
Multiple Grammy nominations (Food & Liquor / The Cool era)
Between 2006–2008 received multiple Grammy nominations including Best Rap Album and song nominations across cycles.
Second album 'Lupe Fiasco's The Cool' released
Released The Cool (Dec 2007), a concept album; produced singles including 'Superstar' which peaked at #10 on the Hot 100.
Forms rock project Japanese Cartoon (formation)
Formed Japanese Cartoon (rock side project); later released material and performed as lead vocalist.
Wins Grammy for 'Daydreamin'' (Best Urban/Alternative Performance)
Won Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for 'Daydreamin'' featuring Jill Scott at the 50th Grammys.
USA Network 'Character Approved' Award (2009)
Received the Character Approved Award for a Musician by USA Network in 2009 (included $10,000 charity donation).
Announces discontinuation of 1st & 15th label operations (publicly)
Announced he would discontinue the 1st & 15th label (Nov 2009) citing capacity and focus concerns.
Releases mixtape 'Enemy of the State: A Love Story'
Released mixtape on Thanksgiving 2009 as response to being omitted from MTV's Hottest MCs list.
Participates in Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour (2008/2008–2009 touring era)
Performed on major tours including Kanye West's Glow in the Dark tour (2008) and festivals like Glastonbury, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.
Summit on the Summit (Kilimanjaro charity climb)
Joined celebrities and activists for Summit on the Summit to raise awareness about global lack of access to clean water (climbed Mount Kilimanjaro).
Releases 'Resurrection' for Haiti relief (Music for Relief)
Recorded charity single 'Resurrection' with Kenna for Haiti earthquake relief (Download to Donate compilation).
Forms All City Chess Club collective
Formed the All City Chess Club hip‑hop collective with numerous artists (Pharrell, Wale, J. Cole, etc.).
Japanese Cartoon debut EP 'In The Jaws of the Lords of Death'
Released Japanese Cartoon EP July 16, 2010 (rock side-project).
Fiasco Friday fan protest outside Atlantic Records
Fans organized Fiasco Friday protest demanding Atlantic release his album Lasers; public petition and demonstration occurred.
Releases lead single 'The Show Goes On' (Lasers era)
'The Show Goes On' released Oct 26, 2010; samples Modest Mouse's 'Float On' and later became his highest-charting solo single.
Net worth estimate after 'Lasers' #1 debut
Illustrative estimate of net worth growth following Lasers debuting at #1 and ongoing endorsements/touring.
Third album 'Lasers' released; debuts at #1
Lasers released March 7/8, 2011; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 with ~204,000 first-week sales; mixed critical reception.
Releases mixtape 'Friend of the People: I Fight Evil'
Released free mixtape on Thanksgiving 2011 while engaging with Occupy movement and activism.
Featured on 'Battle Scars' (Guy Sebastian) — #1 Australia
Collaboration 'Battle Scars' peaked at #1 in Australia, certified multi-platinum; became Lupe's first #1 single in Australia.
Releases 'Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1'
Released Food & Liquor II Sep 25, 2012; album debuted at #5 on Billboard 200 with ~90,000 first-week sales; Grammy-nominated.
Announces novel 'Reflections of a Window Washer' (work in progress)
Reported to be writing a novel titled Reflections of a Window Washer (publicly discussed during interviews 2007–2013).
Cancels 'Food & Liquor II' Part 2 release plans
Announced cancellation of the planned second part of Food & Liquor II (Jan 17, 2013) and said he'd release another studio album in 2013.
Named Creative Director at Higi
Announced via Twitter (March 2013) appointment as Creative Director at Higi, a Chicago-based health-scoring company.
Releases 'Old School Love' featuring Ed Sheeran
Released 'Old School Love' Oct 14, 2013 with Ed Sheeran; intended as Tetsuo & Youth single but did not appear on final tracklist.
Releases 'Mission' as Stand Up To Cancer ambassador
Released 'Mission' May 19, 2014 as an anthem to empower those affected by cancer; became celebrity ambassador for SU2C.
Anonymous intervenes over Tetsuo & Youth release (hacktivist attention)
Hacktivist group Anonymous tweeted demands to Atlantic Records to release his album; press coverage followed (Oct 15, 2014).
Releases 'Tetsuo & Youth'
Released Tetsuo & Youth Jan 20, 2015 (final release with Atlantic); debuted at #14 with ~42,000 first-week sales.
Surprises fans with mixtape 'Pharaoh Height'
Released free mixtape Pharaoh Height (Aug 29, 2015) with six tracks carrying Egyptian-themed titles.
Public controversy and responses around antisemitic lyric
December 2016 'N.E.R.D' freestyle lyric triggered public criticism and statements by DJBooth and the Anti-Defamation League; he responded and briefly announced retirement.
Street Fighter exhibition vs Daigo Umehara
Won an exhibition Street Fighter V match vs professional gamer Daigo Umehara (Feb 15, 2016) — notable gaming moment.
Posts 'N.E.R.D' freestyle; controversy and brief retirement announcement
Posted contentious 'N.E.R.D' freestyle on SoundCloud (Dec 12, 2016); faced accusations of antisemitism; initially announced retirement before later continuing releases.
Releases 'DROGAS Light' independently
Released Drogas Light Feb 10, 2017 via 1st & 15th and Thirty Tigers; first-week sales ~19,702 copies; first major release after leaving Atlantic.
Beat N Path wins Best Direction at Asian Academy Creative Awards (documentary recognition)
Beat N Path docuseries (martial-arts travel series) received recognition for direction at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (reported).
Net worth estimate circa 'Drogas Wave'
Illustrative mid-career net worth estimate (represents cumulative earnings from albums, tours, endorsements and business ventures).
Premieres martial-arts docuseries 'Beat N Path'
Premiered Beat N Path (three-part TV documentary, March 2018) following his martial-arts journey in China; produced by Studio SV (co-founded).
Releases 'Drogas Wave' (concept album)
Released Drogas Wave Sep 21, 2018 (24 tracks) exploring narratives tied to the transatlantic slave trade; debuted at #60 with ~11,099 units.
Performs at 312 Day (Chicago festival)
Performed at Chicago's 312 Day festival celebrating local culture (Mar 12, 2019).
Releases promotional single 'Air China'
Released promotional single 'Air China' (July 1, 2019) inspired by travel to China.
Begins visiting scholar / teaching role at MIT
Served as visiting scholar and artist at MIT (2020–2023), teaching classes including 'Rap Theory and Practice'.
First art exhibition at SOHO House Chicago
Held his first art exhibition at SOHO House Chicago (announcement Oct 11, 2020) showcasing visual-art work.
Releases 'Drill Music in Zion'
Released Drill Music in Zion Jun 24, 2022 through 1st & 15th Too and Thirty Tigers; preceded by singles 'Autoboto' and title track.
Featured on Aesop Rock's 'Pumpkin Seeds' fundraiser single
Featured on Aesop Rock's 'Pumpkin Seeds' (Dec 9, 2022); proceeds benefited a Collaboratory skatepark fundraiser in Dayton, Ohio.
Saybrook Associate Fellow & MLK Visiting Professorship (MIT) recognition
Named a Saybrook Associate Fellow (2023) and served in MIT's MLK Visiting Professorship Program (2022/23).
Releases 'SentRock' collaboration with Chicago artist SentRock
Released 'SentRock' Apr 28, 2023 — a collaboration pairing Lupe's song with a visual-art piece by SentRock.
Releases 'Samurai' (concept album)
Released Samurai Jun 28, 2024 via 1st & 15th Too and Thirty Tigers — a concept album dedicated to Amy Winehouse's life and legacy.
Joins Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute as Visiting/Distinguished Professor
Joined Johns Hopkins University (Peabody Institute) as a Distinguished Visiting Professor for the school's Bachelor of Music degree program (Jan 2025).
RIAA-certified units milestone reported (22 million units)
Reported as having sold 22 million RIAA-certified units in the United States (reported as of Feb 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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