FINAL FOUR: 4. Lupe Fiasco

4. Lupe Fiasco, Congress Theatre 10/31.
2008 is the year that I really got into hip hop. I'd had a passing interest previously, mostly with UK grime, but Lupe's The Cool really dragged me in. Along with other Chicago talents, Kanye West and The Cool Kids, Lupe has been on constant repeat in my iTunes.
I'd seen Lupe at this year's Lollapalooza, but nothing compared to his command of the stage at the Congress. Filming for his live DVD, he took advantage of his rapt hometown crowd. The upcoming election merely days away, and the recent shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's family assured he had plenty to preach about, but in spite of the 30 minute stint on his soapbox he performed one of the greatest shows of 2008.
Here's my video of Superstar with Matt Santos: