Extreme respect

I have extreme respect to Muslims around the world who fights for our dignity. Among the most respected, there is one particular person that I'd like to point out. Do you know who Lupe Fiasco is? Does the name ring any bells? Hmm.. Here's a little snippet of his biography:

• Real Name: Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
• Convert: No
• Sect: Sunni
• Born: February 16th, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois
• Career: Rapper- Soul, Real Life, Rebel Rap, & Unique

Chicago-based Muslim MC Lupe Fiasco began rapping in junior high school and joined a group called Da Pak several years later. The group signed to Epic, released one single, and split up, all before Fiasco reached the age of 20. Thanks in part to the vocal support of Jay-Z, L.A. Reid signed Fiasco as a solo artist to Arista, but before anything of significance was able to happen (only a promo single and a couple guest appearances were set up), Reid was fired, leaving the MC without a label. Fiasco eventually landed at Atlantic. Preceded by the single "Kick Push," as well as several mixtapes and an appearance on Kanye West's "Touch the Sky," the album Food and Liquor was set to surface during 2006, though an unfinished version leaked during the spring. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Lupe is a devout Muslim and considered a leader by many Muslim youth in America.

Lupe and Islam
Interview with Lupe when asked about Islam and his Music: "Well, I was born Muslim, so Islam plays a part in my everything I do, to a certain extent. I'm not like the poster boy for Islam you know what I'm saying? So it's like I still got my flaws and stuff like that, so I don't really wear that on my sleeve. [But] I'm really with some underlying consciousness, no matter what it is that I can talk about -cocaine, or I can talk about carrying guns. I've been literally carrying guns since I was five, like four or five years old, simply because my father was in the military and he wanted to teach us how to shoot. I've been shooting AK's since I was as baby, you know? I don't like to glorify ignorance or nothing like that, but I know you need to – you can talk about it in certain aspects. You'll still get the people who don't listen unless you're talking about nonsense. Catch their ear, and then at the same time, teach them something, you know? It [also] plays on the extra curricular stuff that happens about, about being like a rapper and being in the music business like going to – all right, I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know like my whole – the whole groupie situation is shut down."

When asked about why his album name was Food and Liquor, he replied: “The title reflects on me being Muslim and being from the streets... In Chicago, instead having bodegas like in New York, the majority of the corner stores are called ‘Food and Liquors.’ The store is where everything is at, whether it be the wine-o hanging by the store, or us as kids going back and forth to the store to buy something. The ‘Food’ is the good part and the ‘Liquor’ is the bad part."

His album Food and Liquor begins by him saying "A'uzu billahi min ash shaitani r rajimi Bismi 'llahi 'r-rahmani 'r-rahim" which translates to "I seek refuge from Satan. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." This is what many Muslims say before beginning a task. Lupe then finishes the albums stating "Salamwalaikum" meaning "Peace." In one song, "Hurt Me Soul," he begins saying "Astagfirullah" meaning "I seek forgiveness from Allah." In one song, "American Terrorist," he talks about his views on Islam and how Islam is viewed in todays society. He also tries to clear up misinterpretations of 21st Century Muslims. The lyrics to "American Terrorist" can be found below.

Lupe always tries to keep in touch with the Islamic community, for example saying "Eid Mubarak" to many people during the month of Ramadan.

Although he lives a celebrity life, in an interview with AOL Music Sessions he had the following to say: "I've never drank alcohol a day in my life. I've never taken any form of drugs. That culture is still kinda alien to me."

Get it why I respect this man? He can endure all the bad stuff from the high life and Hollywood brings. It takes a lot to even be at that stage.