NEW YORK, NY (By Sydney Margetson/ Atlantic Records) - 1st & 15th/Atlantic recording artist
Lupe Fiasco scores an impressive No 1 debut this week as his album, "LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR," tops the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart. The Chicago-based MC also ranks No 2, just behind Justin Timberlake, on the Billboard Top Hip-Hop/R&B Albums chart and No 8 on the Billboard 200, selling more than 80,000 units in his first week.
Because of missing information from "a data supplier in the retail chain strata," this week's Nielsen SoundScan reports were incomplete until today. Originally, SoundScan, the company that tracks sales, had Lupe Fiasco debuting at No 2 on the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart, No 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No 12 on the Billboard 200.
"LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR" - which features the singles "Kick, Push," "I Gotcha," and "Daydreamin'" - is executive produced by Jay-Z, Chill, and Lupe Fiasco. Recently named one of Rolling Stone's "10 Artists To Watch 2006," Lupe Fiasco just last week celebrated the debut of his album with an explosive MySpace Secret Show in Chicago. In addition, he has just been nominated for the "Breaking Woodie" award, which will be given to the year's Best Emerging Artist at the upcoming mtvU Woodie Awards 2006, presented on October 25th at New York's Roseland Ballroom. The awards will air on mtvU and mtvU.com on November 2nd.
Lupe Fiasco has quickly established himself as one of hip-hop's most exciting and intriguing young artists. The 24-year-old MC first made himself known last year via his underground skateboard anthem, "Kick, Push," as well as with his appearance on Kanye West's hit single, "Touch The Sky."
Laced with 14 tracks of complex, thought-provoking, and playful lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats, "LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR" features production by the likes of Kanye West, Needlz, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and Atlantic chief Craig Kallman, not to mention 1st & 15th producers Soundtrakk and Pro. Driven by inventive tracks like the Neptunes-produced "I Gotcha," and the new single, "Daydreamin'," the album is certain to thrust Lupe into the forefront of mainstream hip-hop.
Lupe has been praised to the skies for his playful wordplay and complex chronicles of the streets and the 'burbs. Among his biggest fans are some of hip-hop's leading luminaries, including Jay-Z, who raved, "I just love his wordplay. I think he's one of the most creative new guys in the game right now." Atlantic Records' own Twista declared Lupe to be "the next hottest sh*t in the Chi," noting that "if Twista said it, ain't nothing else need to be talked about after that." "He's one of the best MCs coming out," said Kanye West, explaining Lupe's inclusion on his multi-platinum smash, "LATE REGISTRATION," while the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams sums it up: "Lupe's a star. He's on his way and you'll see him."
For more information, please visit www.lupefiasco.com or www.myspace.com/lupefiasco.
