By Niema JordanThe Daily Northwestern
So it’s just about here: Dillo Day with live music, tons of people and of course alcohol. And though it usually is more about the liquor than the food, this year Lupe Fiasco will bring both – in theory, that is.
The final lineup was released just this week, only days before the main event, ending the months of speculation into which acts Mayfest coordinators would book. Past performers include everyone from Ben Folds to Parliament, artists who put on amazing shows that would usually cost a bundle to attend.
And this year is no different. Cake, a rock group who has been in the industry since the 90s, will headline the show. Other acts include The Roots, the last-minute replacement to Motion City Soundtrack, and Pete Francis, the singer-songwriter-guitarist of Dispatch fame. But there is a lot of buzz surrounding one Chi-Town emcee scheduled to appear.
Many caught wind of the Chicago native on Kanye West’s track “Touch the Sky,” but his skateboard anthem “Kick Push” is what made people take notice. The son of a gourmet chef and a musician, Lupe was raised on the city’s west side. Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, he came into the industry as a member of Da Pak but the group disbanded and he eventually signed a record deal as a solo artist. But after deals with various labels fell through, Food and Liquor was finally released through Atlantic Records and his own label First and Fifteenth.
But not many people knew what to expect. His first popular song made most assume that he would be a laid-back skateboarding rapper. Then tracks leaked on the Internet that contained everything from hardcore rhymes to conscious anthems. The finish product turned out to be neither but for many, it was a breath of fresh air.
Before Jay-Z claimed to be hip-hop’s savior or Nas declared the genre dead, Lupe claimed to be its resurrection. His album, with a title that is meant to reflect the good and bad in the world, was one of the most anticipated LPs of the year.
The debut, nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Album, is often compared to hip-hop classics for the musicianship and lyricism evident on the 16 tracks. “He Say/She Say” discusses absentee fathers and the effect they have on children while “American Terrorist” features timely and heavy-hitting lines like “the books that take you to heaven and let you meet the Lord there have become misinterpreted reasons for warfare.” The critically-acclaimed LP was credited with bringing a new flavor to the genre and its mainstream audience.
And as one this year’s headliners, you can expect Fiasco to bring a new feel to the typical live Dillo Day hip-hop show. Usually performing without the paradoxical lax hype-men, he brings a presence to the stage that has been known to captivate concertgoers.
“I’ve seen him twice in concert this year,” says Weinberg junior Alexandria Davis. “He has so much energy.”
So if you want flavor and a fly show, Lupe’s gotcha. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see him and the other bands this Saturday.4
Medill junior Niema Jordan is a PLAY writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
