Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco has been flying under the radar in recent years, so much so that he was barely recognizable when he hit the stage Tuesday night at the Pageant.
In a snug fitting pair of ripped jeans, neon loafers and long dreadlocks obscuring his face, the crowd might have mistaken him for one of the opening acts had it not been for DJ’s introduction.
He had a new look, but Fiasco was familiar in that he delivered a solid show for fans who have awaited his return to St. Louis.
“It’s been a minute,” Fiasco said.
He also used the show to give Chicago hip-hop some shine via his opening acts Z Verse, Billy Blue and That Boy Illinois.
Blue was invited back on stage for “Fundamentals” one of Fiasco’s final selections from the show.
Fiasco performed his most popular tracks over the course of the night, like “Outta my head,” “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free),” “Go Go Gadget Flow” and “[expletive] Bad.”
But what fans will remember most is Fiasco’s announcement that he will be bowing out of hip-hop after releasing three more albums.
The concert was nearly over when he proclaimed his time in the rap game was coming to a close. The statement was made almost as an afterthought after speaking of the turmoil and frustration he experienced at the hands of his former record label.
Fans seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when he announced that he was three albums away – which could be a while considering the standard output of albums by artists.
He then said that all three of them would be out within a year.
Before they could get down about it, Fiasco turned up with his song “Made in the USA” from DROGAS LIGHT first album of his final trilogy.
It wouldn’t be a Lupe Fiasco show if he didn’t attempt to school his audience by weaving in nuggets he hopes will linger with the audience.
“It’s a war for your hearts and a war for your minds – you’ve got to protect that, because it’s never gonna stop,” Fiasco said. “If you think there is going to peace in the war for your heart and your mind, you’re crazy. You have to be aware of it every day, because you can’t afford to lose.”
And of course he got political, but this time it was by being apolitical in the height of an election year.
“It doesn’t matter who you vote for – or who you don’t vote for,” Fiasco said. “The battle for your heart and mind is not fought at the capitol, it’s fought on TV. It’s fought every time you log on to Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, so be prepared.”
He then went into some of his lighter selections like “Superstar.”
“I hate getting deep, because it [expletive] the flow of the show, so I have to bring it back,” Fiasco said.
Though the song got a rousing reaction from the audience, it was quite ironic that he ended his performance with “The Show Goes On” shortly after announcing he would be walking away from the industry.
Perhaps he’s mentally preparing himself for his next act.
