Lupe Fiasco performs "The Show Goes On" on Ellen [VIDEO]

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Lupe Fiasco speaks on Chicago Coat Drive and 50 Cent diss

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During a radio interview with 107.5, Lupe Fiasco discussed his coat drive. Lupe Fiasco said, while the goal is 1,000 coats, Lupe said he really wants much more than 1,000. The 1,000 coats is the least they want. Lupe Fiasco said the coat drive is all about uplifting the city of Chicago.

While he has been donating to the people of Chicago for years, Lupe Fiasco says he wants to get the other Chicago residents involved. The controversial rapper has several drop locations throughout the city. For all the drop-off locations in Chicago, Lupe said people need to check out his website.

Lupe Fiasco was recently called out by 50 Cent on one of his new tracks for the Street King promotion. Aside from the song, 50 Cent has been talking about Lupe Fiasco on Twitter. Speaking on the situation, Lupe Fiasco said 50 Cent is a good guy. Earlier in his career, Lupe Fiasco toured with 50 Cent, but he said he takes it as, not a diss, but having fans in high places.

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Lupe Fiasco hosting Coat Drive in Chicago

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, Lupe Fiasco discussed his philanthropic endeavors with 107.5 WGCI. Chicago is known as the Windy City and is particualrly cold and windy during the winter. A Chicago native, Lupe Fiasco has set out to fix this.

With another Chicago winter rapidly approaching, Lupe Fiasco is going to make sure nobody in the city is cold. The Lupe Fiasco Foundation is holding a coat drive. Lupe Fiasco wants Chicago to help out their less-fortunate residents.

Lupe Fiasco said the idea came from he, and his sisters, talking and wanting to do something which would uplift the city. With Chicago being known for cold winters, Lupe Fiasco felt holding a coat drive would be the perfect way to give back. The current goal is 1,000 coats being given to those who are less fortunate.

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50 Cent vs. Lupe Fiasco feud?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Even during his days as a mixtape rapper, 50 Cent was known as one of hip hop's biggest forces. In 2003, 50 Cent released his commercial debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin', which was laced with disses aimed at Ja Rule. At the time, Ja Rule was the biggest rapper in the game, 50 Cent took that role.

On his second album, The Massacre, 50 Cent moved on from his feud with Ja Rule. While he still dissed his foe, 50 Cent began dissing Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and Nas. Because of this, Game, then a member of G-Unit, separated himself from 50 Cent. This led to a feud between the label-mates.

50 Cent sparked a feud with Cam'ron before the release of his third album, Curtis. At the same time, 50 Cent found common ground with Jadakiss. It has become clear what 50 Cent does when it is time for him to release a new album. 50 boasted of how he may decide to release a new album this year.

For his new "Street King" movement, 50 Cent has been releasing a new track every day. While the movement is for a worthy cause, 50 Cent took shots at Lupe Fiasco. After being out of the limelight for four years, Lupe Fiasco returned with his chart-topping album, Lasers. The album solidified Lupe Fiasco as the new socially-concious figure in hip hop. For the most part, Lupe Fiasco has stayed away from beef, but he had a minor tiff with Soulja Boy last December.

With 50 Cent apparently taking shots during a time when beef is more of a joke than a true competition, will Lupe Fiasco respond to 50 Cent, or will be invite him to dinner?

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Rick Ross to perform at 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The year of 2011 has been another fantastic year for Rick Ross, as he has had verses on some of the hottest songs. Rick Ross has already had performances at the 2011 BET Awards and the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

Rick Ross is also set to perform tonight at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards. Ross will not be the only artist performing tonight. Other rappers, such as Lupe Fiasco and Wiz Khalifa will also be performing.

The 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards will feature performances from Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa, Maybach Music's Meek Mill and Wale, along with a few others. The awards show will take place tonight, but will broadcast on October 11 at 8:00 pm.

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Russell Simmons joins Occupy Wall Street movement

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For nearly two weeks, protesters have been lining up on Wall Street for their Occupy Wall Street movement. With the economy slumping and a recession looming, the people are filling the streets of cities around the country. Lupe Fiasco joined the Occupy Wall Street movement a few weeks ago.

Lupe Fiasco was quickly joined by Immortal Technique. When he joined the movement, Immortal Technique said:

“We talk about democracy so much, but we have supported so many governments around the world that are the farthest thing from a democracy, as long as they give us access to their natural resources, as long as when we say jump, they say, ‘How high?' That's it.

We have employed bin Ladens' plenty of times, when it serves our purpose. We employed Saddam Hussein when it served our purposes. And I say ‘we' because we are the people that have a responsibility to change that sort of behavior in this country. And if we don't, we will suffer the same fate as everything that never evolved.”

Now, the original president of hip hop, Russell Simmons, has joined the movement, along with Murs. When he joined the movement, Russell Simmons wrote a letter on his GlobalGrind.com website.

Read the letter below:

“For far too long in this country we have allowed the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer.

I believe in a nation where everyone gets a fair share of the fruits of our labor and where everyone pays a fair share for what they receive.

I am asking the United States government to raise my taxes and not allow the Republicans to use this economic recession as an opportunity to strip the basic programs that protect our most vulnerable.

Lastly, I am demanding that the big banks and corporations stop unduly influencing our government to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the majority of our citizens.

We need to re-examine our whole American political system that allows corporations and their lobbyists to rule over the people.”

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Tragedy Khadafi addresses Obama diss on "Ill-Luminious Flow"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Social concious rap has been on a comeback in 2011. One reason for this is the return of Lupe Fiasco. Other artists have also been paying more attention to the matters of the world. The execution of Troy Davis has had many rappers speaking out.

Tragedy Khadafi has been speaking out for well over twenty years. Discussing the matters of the world is nothing new to him, as he does this frequently. Recently, Khadafi released his new album, Thug Matrix 3.

One song off the album, "Ill-Luminious Flow," stuck out to listeners, as he called out President Obama. Similarly, Lupe Fiasco also called the president out. Tragedy Khadafi said this was not for shock value, he was serious.

Tragedy Khadafi says "Obama got his dome bleached" in the song. While calling the president out, Tragedy said he has also had his dome bleached, no one is exempt from it. Speaking on the secret society, Tragedy Khadafi stated President Obama is being controlled by a particular organization, which is stopping him from doing what he originally intended.

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Patrick Stump ft. Lupe Fiasco - "This City"

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Lupe Fiasco marches in Wall Street protest, speaks on New World Order

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Late last year, Lupe Fiasco returned to the game, after being away for a few years. Initially, Lupe Fiasco intended to release his third album in 2008. However, due to his content, Atlantic Records began giving him the runaround. Before coming back, Lupe Fiasco had a bout with suicide, among other things.

Upon releasing Lasers, Lupe Fiasco sold well over 200,000 copies in his first week and his singles were also successful. His Trey Songz-assisted "Out of My Head" single, became one of the biggest hits of the summer. Still, Lupe Fiasco made the most noise due to his controversial single, "Words I Never Said."

Aside from the music, Lupe Fiasco has been very outspoken. He has called out President Obama on a number of occasions. The president has not been the only victim of Lupe Fiasco, the entire government has. Taking a stand, Lupe Fiasco, along with a number of Americans gathered on Wall Street for the protest called "Occupy Wall Street."

Currently, the president is fighting for higher taxes on the wealthy and Lupe Fiasco can agree with him on something. Lupe Fiasco spoke on the high oil prices, which has led to the War on Terrorism, which has taken the United States into wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. People have been dying for eight years over this fight and there is still no resolution. Lupe Fiasco questioned this and he spoke out against the capitalist economy.

Lupe Fiasco asked the government to be honest about why they are fighting. If they are truly just fighting over a terrorist attack, Lupe Fiasco says "let it be known." Speaking during the protest, Lupe Fiasco said he feels this is all headed by the New World Order.

See what else Lupe Fiasco had to say in the video below:

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Lupe Fiasco delivers "Food & Liquor" Fifth Anniversary Edition

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Five years ago, Lupe Fiasco released his Food & Liquor debut album. In 2006, Lupe Fiasco received a major boost when Kanye West decided to release "Touch the Sky" as a single. Lupe Fiasco recorded a verse on the song, which ended up becoming a hit.

During the summer of 2006, Lupe Fiasco released "Kick, Push," and formally introduced himself. Since then, Lupe Fiasco has released critically-acclaimed music. Most-recently, he released his album, Lasers, which has been a commercial success.

Lupe Fiasco also announced he was working on a sequel to his 2006 debut. While the Food & Liquor 2 may not come out until next year, the five-year anniversary of the original was today. In celebration, Lupe Fiasco released the five year anniversary special.

The new album includes additional four tracks, "Theme Music to a Drive-By," "Tilted," "Carrera Lu" and "What It Do." Official videos for "I Gotcha" and "Daydreamin" are also included in the special edition.

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Lupe Fiasco boldly dubs himself "The Best" in Freestyle

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Currently, hip hop is in a very competitive mode. Almost everyone is taking shots at someone. At the forefront is Lil Wayne, with the shots he took at Jay-Z and Beyonce. Other than Wayne, there is the feud between Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, among other situations.

After being out of the spotlight for some time, Lupe Fiasco made a triumphant comeback, earlier this year. His "Out of My Head" collaboration, with Trey Songz, became the summer anthem. The overall Lasers album was met with mixed reviews. Despite the mixed reviews, many credit Lupe Fiasco as one of the best.

Lupe Fiasco is among the many who credit himself as the best. The hip hop scene is buzzing, with new albums from Jay-Z and Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Game, Ace Hood, and others. Recently, Lupe Fiasco freestyled and called himself the best in the freestyle, dissing Watch the Throne and Tha Carter IV.

Check the lyrics out below:

“When you’re done Watching The Throne, turn around and watch me, when you’re done with the Carter 4 come back to me for more, when you’re done with that Drake, no, I ain’t trying to hate but I’m back up on my grind and I’m about to skaaaaate on these niggas,” he rapped. “Put it on your blog and your tumblrs on your twitters that Lupe said that he’s the best, nigga!”

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Kanye West ft. Lupe Fiasco - "Touch the Sky"

Throwback from 2006.

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Lupe Fiasco praises Lil B, impressed by "I'm Gay" concept

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Ever since his recent comeback, Lupe Fiasco has been rather outspoken. Because Atlantic Records would not give him a secure release date, Lupe publicly called the label out. Due to an uproar from the fans, Atlantic Records released his album.

Surprisingly, to both Lupe Fiasco and his record label, the album was a hit. Boasting several hit singles, including the latest, "Out of My Head," suddenly Lupe Fiasco found himself among the top artists in the rap game.

This support has come from such songs as the controversial "Words I Never Said" and "All Black Everything." Lupe Fiasco has not been the only rapper acting out during the first half of 2011. West Coast rapper, Lil B, made headline news when he decided to name his debut album, I'm Gay.

Because of the public outcry and death threats from some homosexual groups, Lil B altered the title of the album to I'm Gay (I'm Happy). Based off his album title, alone, Lil B has been featured in magazines and popular websites. His buzz has been noticed by Lupe Fiasco, who is impressed by Lil B. Lupe Fiasco said the new album is actually revolutionary and he called it genius. Gay, which actually means happy, has become a negative word in hip hop and Lil B said he is trying to make it positive again.

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Lupe Fiasco's appearance on "The O'Reilly Factor" (Full Segment)

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Lupe Fiasco working on "Food & Liquor 2"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Five years ago, the world was introduced to Lupe Fiasco through his debut album, Food & Liquor. The album was executive produced by Jay-Z, who wanted to sign him to Roc-A-Fella Records. Despite not signing Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z still recorded a verse for the album.

The success of his debut album led to Atlantic Records scheduling another Lupe Fiasco album in 2007. While he posted his hit single, "Superstar," the album was not as successful as his debut. As a result, his next album faced three years of delays.

After a dispute with Atlantic Records and Lupe Fiasco almost going suicidal, Lasers was finally released. The album has since gone on to become the most-successful of his career. Now, Lupe Fiasco has started working on a sequel to his debut album.

Lupe Fiasco said he is applying the lessons he learned on Lasers to Food & Liquor 2. While he does not have release date selected for the album, he hopes to release the sequel to his debut album sometime before the end of 2012.

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Lupe Fiasco - "Words I Never Said"

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Lupe Fiasco talks politics on "The Colbert Report"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following a four year hiatus, Lupe Fiasco has been one of the most-vocal rappers in the game. First, he was battling with his record label for an album release date. Then, Lupe Fiasco was in the news for calling out President Obama.

Many were surprised that Lupe Fiasco, a Chicago rapper, would call out Obama, a Chicago politician. But, Lupe Fiasco said he was not being anti-Obama. Instead, he was exercising his right as a taxpaying citizen to criticize the government.

Stephen Colbert joked Lupe Fiasco was a member of the Tea Party movement. Lupe Fiasco said it is the type of person he is, he calls it how he sees it. The Chicago rapper said he practices what he preaches.

During the interview, Lupe Fiasco also said bringing down Osama Bin Laden does not signal the end of the ten-year, "War on Terrorism." Lupe Fiasco said he does not see an end to the ongoing war against terrorism.

Watch Lupe Fiasco's performance of "Words I Never Said" on "The Colbert Report" below:

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Lupe Fiasco hates the Internet

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Record labels have been helped and hurt by the internet with the new technology. But, for artists, it has been an easy way to connect with the rest of the world. Such sites as ReverbNation have helped many rappers and singers build international buzz.

But, for established artists, the internet can hurt more than it helps because they are known. Several websites covering hip hop have launched over the years, such as Hip Hop Vibe. Many of these sites call it how they see it, some even bash artists.

With hip hop geared towards party music, Lupe Fiasco is usually criticized for being intellectual. Lupe Fiasco feels hip hop sites do more harm than good for artists. At times, Lupe says he wishes the internet did not exist.

Instead of promoting his music, the Chicago rapper is usually caught up reading what the hip hop sites have said about him.

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Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey - "Words I Never Said"

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Lupe Fiasco discusses his Fan Base

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

After three years of battling with Atlantic Records, Lupe Fiasco was able to release Lasers. While the album was far from what he wanted, it has been his biggest commercial release to date. In a matter of days, Lupe went from wanting to leave the label to praising them for their promotion.

Had it not been for his die hard fans, Lupe Fiasco may still be waiting on the release of Lasers. Following the release of his second album, The Cool, Atlantic Records wanted Lupe Fiasco to go pop. When he refused, Atlantic refused to release new albums from him.

Recently, Lupe Fiasco opened up about the fans who helped revive his career. The Chicago rapper said he does not have to put out another album again. Because of the fan base he has already built, his name will always be relevant. Lupe Fiasco remained a major hip hop figure even though it took four years for him to release an album and he credits his fan base for this turnaround.

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