Wasalu “Lupe Fiasco” Jaco
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The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been in the minority… It will take such a small committed minority to work unrelentingly to win the uncommitted majority. Such a group may transform America’s greatest dilemma into her most glorious opportunity.
Background
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is a Grammy award-winning American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and community advocate.
Interests
While musical genius and ingenuity are at the forefront of Lupe Fiasco’s achievements, the artist extends his innovation to projects that aim to foster creative discourse and opportunities in underprivileged and impoverished communities. His continued efforts to elevate community engagement can be seen through the myriad of movements he has co-founded and supported. As the co-founder and co-owner of community initiatives such as We Are M.U.R.A.L and The Neighborhood Start-Up Fund, Lupe Fiasco serves as a committed facilitator of intellectual community discourse and outreach. Furthering his efforts in community engagement and mentorship, Lupe Fiasco co-founded the Society of Spoken Art, which unites aspiring lyricists with established artists, who act as mentors to inspire the mastery of linguistics and semiotics. His latest effort – Studio SV – marks Lupe Fiasco’s global expansion through the venture company in Hong Kong that will develop, produce and finance innovative content.
News Items
Spoken-word collaboration shows off the MIT community’s musical talents
MLK Visiting Scholar Lupe Fiasco provides a textual intro to the MITverses album.
MIT welcomes nine MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars for 2023-24
Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professors and Scholars will enhance and enrich the MIT community through engagement with students and faculty.
The art and science of rap
While teaching a course at MIT last spring, rap luminary and Renaissance man Lupe Fiasco refined his unifying theory of the musical genre.
Lupe Fiasco presents “Rap Theory & Practice: an Introduction”
An exploration into the underlying fundamental functions, structures, and principles of rap.
Fall Trackathon (Music Hackathon) Judged By Lupe Fiasco
MLK Scholar Lupe Fiasco judges the MIT Music Production Collaborative's music hackathon.
Lupe Fiasco on his latest challenge: teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The MLK Scholar and Grammy-winning rapper talks about the fusion between academia and hip-hop.
Sample Work
Album
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
2006
Album
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
(2007)
Album
Lasers
(2011)
Album
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1
(2012)
