Running on a tour artist’s classic one hour of sleep and DayQuil, Lupe Fiasco walked on to the stage covered in multi-colored lights and performed at EMU on Saturday, November 5. Wearing camouflage pants and a jean jacket with “Laser Club” written on the back, the 29-year-old rap phenom shook the floor of the auditorium with his exhilarating performance.

Doors opened at 7pm, and hours before the performance was a line stretched around the door. People awaited entrance to rush for good placement on general admission. Pioneer High junior Zach Pagani arrived at 5:30pm, over an hour before doors opened, and about four hours before the main performance. “They took a long time in between opening acts, and I had been standing for a really long time…but it was definitely worth it all,” said Pagani after the show.

Fiasco has been one of America’s elite rappers since he rose to fame in 2006. His debut album “Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor” was released in 2006 shortly after he signed with Atlantic Records. “Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool” went gold, selling over 500 thousand copies. His third album “Lasers” was released March 8, 2011 and was one of the most played hip hop albums of the year.

After somewhat of a dismal performance by the warm up bands, fans cheered as the dark red “A” figure on the stage (the same design on the front of his album cover) lit up. Fiasco dived straight into action starting his performance with “Words I Never Said” which was a hit on Lasers.

Many of the songs Lupe Fiasco performed were full of powerful emotions. His liberal views on politics and society have attracted a unique crowd of fans. Along with his many opinions, Fiasco is certainly an activist for his beliefs. At the concert he wore a bandanna and a camouflage outfit, this symbolized being a rebel against certain policies in society.

Midway through his performance he took a break after a song and talked to his fans. Fiasco stated he was feeling “messed up” and was on Day Quil to help him feel better and jumped right back into performing. Near the end of the performance he let his band take the stage light and introduced each of them to the crowd, all of them performed a solo as if it was a jazz band, and the fans loved it.

Fiasco performed almost all of the songs that appeared on his album Lasers, along

with previous hit singles “Superstar” and “Daydreamin’”.

At the end of the concert Lupe Fiasco performed “The Show Goes On” which was ironic in a memorable way. While he was performing this last song, the energy level

sky-rocketed as fans screamed, sang, and danced.

It was the perfect way to end his magnificent concert, and fans erupted in applause as it finished. He then said “What a night. I love you all. Peace!” and reluctantly walked

off the stage as fans continued to cheer his name.