Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, known as Lupe Fiasco, was born on February 16, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. He developed an interest in hip-hop during his teens after hearing Nas's 1996 album It Was Written, initially disliking the genre's vulgarity. At age 19, he formed the short-lived group Da Pak, signed to Epic Records, before going solo and establishing his label 1st & 15th under Atlantic Records. Lupe Fiasco debuted with Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor in 2006, which peaked in the Billboard 200 top ten and earned four Grammy nominations, including a win for 'Daydreamin'' (featuring Jill Scott) in Best Urban/Alternative Performance. His 2007 follow-up The Cool featured the hit 'Superstar,' peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later albums include Tetsuo & Youth (2015) and Drogas Wave (2018). He is known for intricate lyricism, complex storytelling, and socially conscious themes addressing racism, politics, and justice. His style blends narrative-driven hip-hop with production from collaborators like Kanye West and The Neptunes. Live, he delivers conceptual performances emphasizing lyrical depth and energy from his skater-influenced early image.