Lupe Fiasco has been blending genres and pushing boundaries for years now, so it should come as no surprise that he has done it again – this time in the sports world. On Tuesday, the US Soccer Team named the Grammy Award winning artist as their Music Director for the upcoming World Cup and throughout the send-off Series. His tasks? Collaborating with US Soccer over the next six weeks creating a public Spotify playlist, in-game music programming, and several other music related events that will be taking place from now until the World Cup. Those events will include a Times Square performance for Fan Appreciation Day May 30 and a set in Chicago at the US Soccer Fest prior to the USA vs. Ghana match June 16.
This will be his second time hitting the stage for soccer fans in his hometown of Chicago as he performed his first single “Kick, Push” during halftime at the MLS All Star Game back in 2006.
OS REWIND: Lupe Fiasco – Mission
OS REWIND: Lupe Fiasco & Ab-Soul – Thorns & Horns
OS REWIND: Lupe Fiasco – $nitches (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
The theme of “One Nation, One Team” fits Lupe very well as a vocal activist for various community and global issues being born and bred in Chicago, it has always been something organic for him. His latest single “Mission,” which is aimed at the fight against cancer, will be promoted by the US Soccer team, bringing further awareness to a cause that has affected almost everyone in some way, shape, or form.
During his Fan Appreciation Day performances, he will be auctioning off items to contribute to the “Mission” campaign as well.
It is always a good thing to see hip hop crossing over into different areas, and although soccer is an afterthought in the states – it is the most popular sport internationally. Lupe Fiasco is the perfect candidate for the job. We will be curious to see what he has in store for the upcoming weeks as well as the World Cup.