Lupe Fiasco released his third album “Lasers” last month, and electrified Ann Arbor with an explosive performance at Hill Auditorium on April 1.

Comic books and mixed genres of literature were stacked across Fiasco’s bedroom as a young boy in Chicago. He was introduced to hip-hop through the influences of Californian gangster rappers such as Ice Cube and Spice 1. Excessive vulgar expression in their music steered him away from that type of hip hop, and he transitioned to listening to Kanye West and Nas, whose original lyrics intrigued Fiasco.

Lyrical importance has carried through Fiasco’s life, whether it is clever hip-hop or speaking of his social activism. The song “Words I Never Said” made the track-list for his new album, expressing his desire for peace, “I’m a part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful.” This song, as well as hits like “The Show Goes On,” “Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways),” “Superstar,” and “Kick, Push” were performed during the concert. Fiasco also took time to speak of the importance of education and preparation for the young generation to construct the future.

Fiasco’s philanthropy, socially conscious lyrics, and popularity made him the perfect head-liner for the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary benefit concert that was put on by the Michigan Student Assembly. Ghida Dagher, Chief Programming Officer at the University of Michigan, told AnnArbor.com, “The concert is a wrap-up, a celebration of all the events… We wanted it to be musical; we wanted it to be festive.”

Fiasco performed to a sold out crowd of 3,500 people. All the proceeds from the concert were donated to the Peace Corps.