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<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Chris Weeks/Getty</span></p><p class="caption">Lupe Fiasco.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>In an interview with Business Insider, rapper Lupe Fiasco compared cryptocurrencies to speculative commodities like "baseball cards," while expounding on the ways blockchain technologies could "revolutionize" the music industry.</strong></li><li><strong>Fiasco noted how artists could use blockchain applications to skirt the low payouts that streaming companies like Spotify have drawn criticism for.</strong></li><li><strong>He joins artists like Grammatik and Imogen Heap in exploring the possibilities of blockchain as a source of income for artists. </strong></li></ul><p> </p><p>Rapper Lupe Fiasco has had a notable <a href="https://www.spin.com/2016/12/lupe-fiasco-executives-tweet/">history of contention</a> with the corporate structures of the record industry. But like a growing number of musicians, he sees blockchain technology as a form that could revolutionize the music industry by helping artists profit off their work to a greater degree. </p><p>In an interview with Business Insider this week, following his participation in a technology summit with <a href="http://autodesk.com">Autodesk</a>, we asked Fiasco if he had any thoughts on the subject of cryptocurrency. </p><p>While he referred to cryptocurrencies like bitcoin as "any other kind of speculative commodity" - comparing them to collector's items like "baseball cards" and vintage troll dolls that one could accumulate money through over time - Fiasco zeroed in on blockchain technologies as an application that could specifically benefit artists. </p><p>"People are going to find a way to speculate and value things no matter what it is. I mean, whether it was troll kids, or flowers, or baseball cards, or it's digital currency, you're always going to have that regardless. And I think there's going to be a time to win in that and then a time to lose in that," Fiasco said of cryptocurrency. "But I think the difference between those things, the cryptocurrency, specifically bitcoin now, is that the technology and the implications and applications for the blockchain side of it is going to be so massive."</p><p>He went on to describe how blockchain could "revolutionize music" in its ability to pay artists more money, and he contrasted it with the approach of Spotify, the streaming giant that has drawn criticism for its <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/7/9861372/spotify-year-in-review-artist-payment-royalties">low payouts</a> to artists. </p><p>"It's a disagreement that I've always had with Spotify, which was, they're saying, you can never get rid of piracy. And that's the reason we can charge .00000 nothing for a song, and completely devalue music," he said. "But then you have blockchain technology coming around, where you say, 'Ah, now we're able to kind of reverse that process,' by implementing a blockchain strategy when it comes to licensing music."</p><p>A <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blockchain-could-transform-the-music-industry-2017-11">BI Intelligence report</a> from November describes how the company SingularDTV is working with musicians to utilize blockchain, in order to "tokenize" their intellectual property (their music) and turn it into a direct financial asset through blockchain apps. The process potentially allows musicians to bypass middle-men like record labels in raising money to fund their music.<span></span></p><p><span>"Artists can raise money through a token launch, which is similar to an initial coin offering (ICO). Here, anyone can buy the tokens upfront," writes BI's Robert Elder. "The majority of the windfall will go the artist, and the token launch platform-provider (such as SingularDTV) will retain a service fee."</span></p><p><span>The producer Grammatik signed on with Singular DTV's tokenization program in November, describing it as "something artists have been dreaming about since the beginning of time, to be free of gatekeepers, and to communicate freely." </span></p><p><span>The singer-producer Imogen Heap has also written extensively on the subject of blockchain and music in <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/06/blockchain-could-help-musicians-make-money-again">an essay for the Harvard Business Review</a>, published in June. </span></p><p class="tagline"><div id="categorypromo" style="border:1px solid silver; min-height:90px; padding:10px;vertical-align:top;"><a href="http://read.bi/bitcoin-101-free"></a><strong>EXCLUSIVE FREE REPORT:</strong><br>The Bitcoin 101 Report by the BI Intelligence Research Team.<br><strong><a href="http://read.bi/bitcoin-101-free">Get the Report Now »</a></strong></br></br></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-risks-prepare-portfolio-intelligent-investing-2018-2">Inflation is the market's biggest fear - here's how to protect yourself</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Rapper Lupe Fiasco says cryptocurrencies are like 'baseball cards,' but that blockchain can 'revolutionize' the music industry

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul><li><strong>Lupe Fiasco spoke with Business Insider after attending a technology summit at the headquarters of Autodesk with the Society of Spoken Art (SOSA), his educational guild for rappers.</strong></li><li><strong>Fiasco touched on his work with SOSA, using blockchain technology to "revolutionize music," and choosing Reddit as the exclusive forum of news for his upcoming album, "DROGAS Wave."</strong></li></ul><p>&#xa0;</p><p>Lupe Fiasco has made a career of releasing intricate and innovative rap albums, but his interests have never been limited to music.&#xa0;</p><p>In 2015, Fiasco founded the <a href="http://www.societyofspokenart.org">Society of Spoken Art</a> (SOSA), an educational guild with the mission of introducing established rappers and aspiring artists to a slate of academic concepts.&#xa0;</p><p>Business Insider spoke on the phone with Fiasco last week, after he and a group of SOSA members participated in a two-day technology summit with the architect and lecturer <a href="https://twitter.com/hiphoparch?lang=en">Michael Ford</a> at the San Francisco headquarters of <a href="http://autodesk.com">Autodesk</a>.&#xa0;</p><p>Fiasco, newly independent from his <a href="https://www.spin.com/2016/12/lupe-fiasco-executives-tweet/">contentious contract</a> with Atlantic Records, touched on his work with SOSA, using <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lupe-fiasco-says-blockchain-can-revolutionize-the-music-industry-2018-2">blockchain technology to "revolutionize music,"</a> and choosing Reddit as the exclusive forum of news for his upcoming concept album, "DROGAS Wave."</p><p><em>This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.</em></p><p><strong>Lynch: In this post-Atlantic phase of your career, how has having a greater level of creative control changed your approach to the craft, or has it?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:</strong> No, I mean, it hasn't necessarily changed. It's just what I show to the world is different, if that makes any sense.</p><p><strong>Lynch: Going off that, from what you've said about "DROGAS Wave," your next album, <a href="https://djbooth.net/features/2018-02-06-lupe-fiasco-wave">the working concept</a> of it sounds like it's about to be incredible. How has greater creative control informed your work there?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>You're gonna have to sign up to <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/LupeFiasco/comments/7mw9yk/this_is_now_lupes_official_drogas_wave_update/">the Reddit</a>. I made a promise to my little Reddit community that I'll only discuss "DROGAS: Wave" on Reddit <em>[laughs].&#xa0;</em>To the chagrin of Twitter, and Instagram, and all the publicity folks, I kind of save it for the fans. You know, I think that one of the reactions, outside of music, has just been: focus on the fans. Let them be the first to crack things, or get the exclusive or the insight. And I've made a deal with them that I wouldn't talk about the album except on Reddit. I kind of broke it a little bit on Twitter, but it was things that we had already discussed prior. But in terms of anything that wasn't on Twitter, I just want people to democratize that process. It's like, hey, follow the Reddit page, subscribe to the sites, and I'll give you all the Easter eggs and the ideation and how the process grew and where it's going, and things you can expect from the album. I might even do some special previews of certain things on there. But I just wanted to isolate the process, really focus on the core, which is my fans. And I think that's something that, over the years, I've been more focused on what the press thinks, or what the label thinks, or what I think. And I think now that I have opportunity, let me just focus on the fans and give them the scoops, you know what I'm saying?</p><p><strong>Lynch: I understand that, but why Reddit in particular, as a forum? What drew you to that?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>I was watching <em>[laughs]...&#xa0;</em>There's this podcast. What's it called? "<a href="https://www.stufftheydontwantyoutoknow.com">Stuff They Don't Want You To Know</a>." And it was like this super interesting topic they were talking about, like assassins, or something like that, and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj_9P7vtMTZAhVEc98KHdaVATcQFggnMAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2FLakeCityQuietPills%2F&amp;usg=AOvVaw1b1xBgqikDkwCq35_NQXvJ">Lake City Quiet Pills</a>. And it was like, "Yeah, this came out on Reddit." And I'm thinking, what is this Reddit thing? You know, it just seemed like a place where if I wasn't a rapper, I'd probably be on Reddit 24 hours a day. You know what I'm saying? Like that's just the person that I am. But nah, it was a message-board space that I'd never really went into, and it wasn't like super fanned out. It wasn't like a bunch of fans posting up every little tidbit about my life. It just seemed like it was a little bit more serious, in terms of the conversation. It wasn't just like a bunch of fan boys, and stuff like that, or fan girls. And it was something that was direct, like you had to be on there. And people were pretty cool with when I just told them, "Look, if y'all can just keep everything that I do here on Reddit, and not go to different message boards or go to the press, or put it on a blog or something like that." And I mean, people kind of abided by that, which has never happened anywhere else that I've tried to do something fan-direct. So I just felt like, I have their trust, they have my trust now, so it just seemed like the right community to do it in.</p><p><strong>Lynch: On a sort of similar topic, Michael Ford talked a bit about <a href="http://genius.com">Genius</a> as a forum that's at the intersection of a lot of the things he's preoccupied with. The Genius page for your song "<a href="https://genius.com/Lupe-fiasco-mural-lyrics">Mural</a>" - it's a lyrical masterpiece, and seeing how people break it down is compelling. But I wonder what you think of that sort of crowd-sourced dissection of songs. Do you find that productive?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>I think it's good in terms of its inception and what it was meant to do. I think sometimes it spoils too much. But then, at the other side, they get a lot of stuff wrong. So I'll go in there and look at the annotations like, "That's wrong." But I won't fix it <em>[laughs].&#xa0;</em>And I've always promised that I would never fix it, right? Just kinda let it rock. But I think some people don't want to be spoiled. You know, they don't want to get it first. They want to take their time with it. They don't want to be told the end of every movie, every time, just for the sake of a dope review that you put out first, or something like that. So, especially for rappers like myself, where a part of what I do is this puzzle-rap kind of thing, to get you to think about certain things, or listen to something four or five times, where you really may not get it until three years later. I think, when I came up listening to rap, that was exciting to me. That journey or that kind of puzzle aspect of it was exciting, and I think to spoil that sometimes can be a little funky. But at the same time, too, there's a plus to it because people can maybe relate to the raps a little bit more, or really kind of get it. But, just to be up front, some of that stuff is just wrong <em>[laughs].&#xa0;</em>I'll let you find out what it is, on the next episode of Lupe Fiasco. But overall, I like it, man. I remember when they first started and it was a super cool idea. So, I'm all for it.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p><strong>Lynch: To touch on SOSA for a bit, the <a href="http://www.societyofspokenart.org">stated mission behind that</a>, what do you think rappers or lyricists in general can learn from the study of semiotics and linguistics?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>With SOSA, our main goal is to introduce or make rappers aware of those fields, of linguistics, of semiotics, and then all of these other things that we kind of get into, all these other rabbit holes. It comes into communication theory, literary criticism, etcetera, etcetera. And it's more to introduce it to them in a very high-end kind of way, meaning that the information is not dumbed down. It's not like "hip-hop-ified" or "rap-ified." We don't teach you how to rap. We teach you how to hopefully become a linguistics professor, or what have you. So the curriculum is really intense in that aspect of it, but we deal with really high minds. We're really selective about who we choose to be a part of SOSA. People that not only want to expand what they do as rappers, but also expand and venture out into other opportunities. Similar to, in staying with Autodesk and Michael Ford, exploring these new territories, but exploring it in a very meaningful, articulate way. Leaving open the wild creativity of rap, and other things that we do to create what we do, but putting that kind of intellectual or academic backbone there as well. So to sum it up, the question that we answer at SOSA is, "Rappers know how to do it. But we don't necessarily know what we're doing." SOSA wants to answer that "what," or help rappers answer that "what" for themselves. What they choose to do with it, how they choose to do it is kind of up to them, but SOSA just wants to be that support group and that place where they can go if they're interested in expanding beyond entertainment, when it comes to rap.</p><p><strong>Lynch: I've just got a few state of the industry questions. In popular music recently, there's been a trend of sort of <a href="https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1391-against-the-extra-long-pop-album/">overlong albums</a>. Do you think that's something that is compromising artistry at all, or is it strictly a commercial thing? How do you view that topic, maybe in respect to your own work?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>You said "overlong albums"? What do you mean?</p><p><strong>Lynch: Yeah like album length, 24 tracks. Migos had 24 tracks, that's like an hour, 40 minutes <em>[laughs]</em> - that's crazy.</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>I mean, I think that's dope. "<span>Doctor Zhivago</span>" is like six days long.&#xa0;I think it's dope! My only issue with that is that, when I was in the industry, I got demonized for trying to do that. The labels and the publishing companies, everybody was like, "No, you can't do that. Your album has to be 12 songs. Anything over 14 songs you actually lose money when you sell the album." So I got hit with everything under the sun to get me to keep albums under 12 songs. And now to see people like Drake or Migos, or - yeah, I looked at Migos album, "Culture II" was like a double CD, and I was like, "Man, I wanted to do a double CD and they wouldn't even let me" <em>[laughs].&#xa0;</em>So I mean, it's dope. It's good to see that there's an avenue. I'm sure that has to do with the digital space, streaming having something to say about the length of an album. So that's kind of one of the pluses, where if you have a really dense, extended idea, that there is a place for it to be commercially released and commercially accepted. I look at it as a positive.&#xa0;</p><p><strong>Lynch: What about personally, in the age of streaming, has the prospect of knowing that that's how people are consuming music changed your process at all, or your approach to album-making?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>No, not really. No.</p><p><strong>Lynch: Do you have any thoughts on cryptocurrency, if you have it or don't have it?</strong></p><p><strong>Fiasco:&#xa0;</strong>It's a sham, baby! It's a sham! <em>[laughs] </em>No,&#xa0;I have somewhat of a close compatriot who's on the forefront of blockchain, and the implementation of blockchain, on a very high level. And I've had a candid conversation with her about what is the real fruit when it comes to that whole kind of piece, and it's the blockchain side of it, as opposed to the crypto side of it. I mean, the crypto is gonna have a place the same way that, what were they called, what were those flowers called? No, no, remember Trolls back in the '90s? Like "Oh, these trolls are worth 20 million dollars now." People are gonna find a way to speculate and value things no matter what it is. I mean, whether it was troll kids, or flowers, or baseball cards, or it's digital currency, you're always going to have that regardless. And I think there's going to be a time to win in that and then a time to lose in that, but I think the difference between those things and the cryptocurrency, specifically bitcoin now, is that the technology and the implications and applications for that blockchain side of it is going to be so massive.</p><p>And I think that is what is interesting to watch, as opposed to trying to make money off cryptocurrency. Specifically for music, like hopefully blockchain will revolutionize music. It's a disagreement that I've always had with Spotify, which was, they're saying, you can never get rid of piracy. And that was the reason we can charge .00000 nothing for a song, and completely devalue music. But then you have blockchain technology coming around, where you say, "Ah, now we're able to kind of reverse that process," by implementing kind of blockchain strategy when it comes to licensing music. So I think that aspect of is super interesting on a professional side, a personal side, intellectually, I think it's also interesting. But in terms of thoughts on crypto, I think it's like any other kind of speculative commodity, if you got in early enough, you're a genius or you're lucky, and you're just going to kind of rid the wave until something else comes along and pushes that out the way.</p><p class="tagline"></p><div id="categorypromo" style="border:1px solid silver; min-height:90px; padding:10px;vertical-align:top;"><a href="http://read.bi/bitcoin-101-free"></a><strong>EXCLUSIVE FREE REPORT:</strong><br>The Bitcoin 101 Report by the BI Intelligence Research Team.<br><strong><a href="http://read.bi/bitcoin-101-free">Get the Report Now »</a></strong></br></br></div><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-all-nine-2018-best-picture-oscar-nominees-are-connected-academy-awards-movies-2018-2">You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common - here's how</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div></hr>

Rapper Lupe Fiasco explains why he's obsessed with Reddit and using it as the exclusive forum for news about his upcoming album

<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:480px"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/singer-lupe-fiasco-performs-at-the-hollywood-palladium-on-news-photo/154318572">Getty Images/Kevin Winter</a></p><p class="caption"><keyword id="382412" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lupe-Fiasco">Lupe Fiasco</keyword> performs at the Hollywood Palladium California. </p></div></div>Chicago-bred <keyword id="6355861" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="rapper">rapper</keyword> Lupe Fiasco had both fans and education-reformers in a tizzy last week over his <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lupe-fiasco-high-school-grad-speech-chicago-2013-7">unorthodox speech</a> to Chicago public school graduates.</p>
<p>He called their education one of the worst on Earth. As his stage surname suggests, Fiasco is no stranger to controversy.</p>
<p>Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, the "Kick, Push" artist has made some divisive comments in his day. Whether discussing war, religion, or the rap-game, Lupe doesn't hold back. His criticisms of President Obama and the overall political system in the U.S. have especially raised some eyebrows.</p>
<p>On "Lasers," Lupe's third studio album, he spits some heavy lyrics. The album's title looks like "Losers" with an anarchist symbol. Arguably one of the rapper's most controversial tracks, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22l1sf5JZD0">"Words I Never Said"</a> lays down his feelings about 9/11 and the Middle-East in no uncertain terms. <strong></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bulls---/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Limbaugh is a racist. Glenn Beck is a racist/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Gaza strip was getting bombed Obama didn't say s---."</p>
<p>During StartUp RockOn's inauguration performance in January, Lupe played this outspoken track on repeat, refusing to deviate. Security eventually <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lupe-fiasco-kicked-off-stage-obama-inauguration-party-2013-1">escorted him offstage.</a><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/21/lupe-fiasco-escorted-off-stage-after-anti-obama-comments/"> </a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/21/lupe-fiasco-escorted-off-stage-after-anti-obama-comments/"></a>Considering the event celebrated Obama's election to a second-term, he caught some flack for his behavior. But Lupe's anti-Obama attitude didn't appear out of nowhere. He's openly criticized government policies as early as 2011.</p>
<p>In an interview with <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504943_162-20069803-10391715.html">CBS</a>, Lupe called Obama "the biggest terrorist." He went on to say, "The root cause of terrorism is the stuff that the U.S. government allows to happen ... and it's easy for us because it's just some oil."</p>
<p>When he tried to defend his comments on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/21/bill-oreilly-and-lupe-fiasco_n_881086.html">Bill O'Reilly,</a> a screaming match ensued. The sentiments echo "American Terrorist" from his 2006 release "Lupe Fiasco's Food &amp; Liquor."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">We came through the storm, nooses on our necks/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">and a smallpox blanket to keep us warm/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">On a 747 on the Pentagon Lawn/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Wake up the alarm clock is connected to a bomb.</p>
<p>So disgusted with American political culture, Lupe even admits he doesn't vote — never has, never will. Again in 2011, this time on English DJ Tim Westwood's <a href="http://www.vibe.com/article/lupe-fiasco-why-he-doesnt-vote-presidential-elections-video">BBC radio show, </a>Lupe said he didn't vote for Obama or any other president for that matter. “You vote for bombs lodged in the sides of schools that say 'Made in U.S.A.' he said. "American tax dollars paid for that."</p>
<p>Raised a black Muslim, Lupe's career also includes some defining moments regarding race and religion. In a 2011 Guardian article, Lupe calls religion "irrational." "It's built on nonsense," he said.</p>
<p>In 2010, Lupe covered Kanye's "Jesus Walks" with a Islam-twist, converting the tracks to "Muhammad Walks."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">In the Quran they call him Isa/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Don't think Osama and Saddam is our leader/</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">We pray for peace, but the drama intrigues us.</p>
<p><strong></strong> Lupe doesn't discriminate though, rapping in "Words I Never Said" that the Israelis pushed the Palestinians too far. He doesn't forget Christianity either, commenting on priests' pedophilia in "Lamborghini Angels," a single from part one of "Food &amp; Liquor II." </p>
<p>Most recently, Lupe decided to leave the rap-game entirely because of the antagonistic responses to a new single off "Food &amp; Liquor II: Part 1."</p>
<p>The track, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3m3t_PxiUI">"B---- Bad,"</a> criticizes hip-hop's use of the word "b----" to describe desirable females, reasoning it confuses young girls and boys. Odd Future rapper Chief Keef then started a Twitter squabble, eventually claiming he was hacked.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/06/lupe-fiasco-retires-chief-keef-twitter_n_1862139.html">Huffington Post,</a> Lupe told Baltimore's 92Q, "The murder rate in Chicago is skyrocketing and you see who's doing it and perpetrating it, they all look like Chief Keef."</p>

Rapper Lupe Fiasco's Most Controversial Statements And Lyrics

<p>Rapper <keyword id="382412" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lupe-Fiasco">Lupe Fiasco</keyword> was performing at StartUp RockOn's <keyword id="6363817" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Inauguration">inauguration</keyword> party on Sunday night.</p>
<p>That is, until security escorted him off stage.</p>
<p>Lupe reportedly played anti-war song "Words I Never Said" for at least a half hour, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/21/lupe-fiasco-escorted-off-stage-after-anti-obama-comments/">according to Rachel Weiner at The Washington Post</a>. The song says some strong things about president Barack Obama.</p>
<p>It includes lyrics like <span>"Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist. Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say [expletive]. That’s why I ain't vote for him, next one either." </span></p>
<p>Lupe was told to move on the next song, but he refused, <a href="https://twitter.com/joshrogin/status/293223847140945921">according to Foreign Policy's Josh Rogin</a>. That's when the guards came up to take him off of the stage.</p>
<p>Here's what the <a href="http://hypervocal.com/news/2013/lupe-fiasco-inauguration-statement/#">StartUp RockOn organizers had to say</a> about what happened:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span>"Lupe Fiasco performed at this private event, and as you may have read, he left the stage earlier than we had planned. But Lupe Fiasco was not 'kicked off stage' for an 'anti-Obama rant.' We are staunch supporters of free speech, and free political speech. This was not about his opinions. Instead, after a bizarrely repetitive, jarring performance that left the crowd vocally dissatisfied, organizers decided to move on to the next act. Lupe Fiasco repeated the one song for more than 40 minutes."</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>But sponsor Hypervocal did mention Lupe's political views:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Disappointed that an artist took opportunity to use an event celebrating innovation/startups to make a political statement. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23StartUpRockOn">#StartUpRockOn</a></p>
— hypervocal (@hypervocal) <a href="https://twitter.com/hypervocal/status/293226389908357120" data-datetime="2013-01-21T05:19:53+00:00">January 21, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p>Here's a video of the incident — <a href="http://nowthisnews.com/">via NowThis News</a>:</p>
<p></p>

Rapper Lupe Fiasco Got Kicked Off Stage At An Inauguration Party After Making Anti-Obama Comments

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"The <keyword id="200545" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Smithsonian">Smithsonian</keyword> Anthology of <keyword id="6360147" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hip-hop">Hip-Hop</keyword> and <keyword id="6359566" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rap">Rap</keyword>" features 129 songs from the last four decades.</li><li>The anthology will be paired with a 300-page book featuring relevant essays and pieces.</li><li>The anthology will be released on August 20.</li></ul><p>The Smithsonian released the track list for its anthology of rap and hip hop on Monday, traveling through four decades of the genre. "The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap" is set for release on August 20. It's split into nine discs, which will encapsulate four decades-worth of hip hop and rap into 129 songs. </p><p>In an announcement made by <a href="https://folkways.si.edu/smithsonian-anthology-of-hip-hop-and-rap-intl">Smithsonian Folkways Recordings</a>, the Smithsonian Insititute said that the goal of the anthology was to tell "the story of a defining era of <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> 'of, by, and for the people.'" The article also described it as a "first-of-its-kind multimedia collection chronicling the growth of the music and culture from the parks of the Bronx to solidifying a reach that spans the globe."</p><p>This is the Smithsonian Folkway Recordings' third anthology, following "Anthology of American Folk Music" (1953) and "Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology" (2011). </p><p>The anthology, which is a partnership between Smithsonian Folkway Recordings and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is paired with a 300-page book, designed by Cey Adams, the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings. The book will feature essays and photos. The entire project centers on the evolution of rap and hip hop. </p><p>Those involved in the selection and curation process were: rappers MC Lyte and Chuck D; the artist Questlove; scholars Jeff Chang and Mark Anthony Neal; and early Def Jam executives Bill Adler and Bill Stephney.</p><p>The anthology features monumental songs in hip-hop from giants like NWA, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Sugarhill Gang, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, and more. It captures an excellent mix of new and old - and for some, it's also a solid mix of familiar and unfamiliar tracks. </p><p>While the Bronx is known as the birthplace of hip-hop, as this anthology indicates, some argue that "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang is the pioneering hip-hop song (Disc 1, Track 2), it's also important to note that some point to <a href="https://www.rockhall.com/story-gil-scott-heron">Gil Scott-Heron</a> as the "Godfather of Rap." Though Heron preferred the label "bluesologist," his work has been referenced or sampled by industry giants like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and Common, and Queen Latifah. His song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is featured in Jay Electronica's song "Exhibit C" (Disc 9, Track 9), but his original work is not included in the anthology. </p><p>Find the official trailer and track list to The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap below.</p><h3>Track List</h3><h4>DISC: 1</h4><ol><li>Fatback - King Tim III</li><li>Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight</li><li>The Sequence - Funk You Up</li><li>Kurtis Blow - The Breaks</li><li>Funky Four +1 - That's the Joint</li><li>Spoonie Gee Feat. the Sequence - Monster Jam</li><li>Treacherous Three - The Body Rock</li><li>Blondie - Rapture</li><li>Grandmaster Flash - The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel</li><li>Afrika Bambaataa &amp; the Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock</li></ol><h4>DISC: 2</h4><ol><li>Grandmaster Flash &amp; the Furious Five - the Message</li><li>The Fearless Four - Rockin It</li><li>Cold Crush Brothers - Punk Rock Rap</li><li>Herbie Hancock - Rockit</li><li>Afrika Bambaataa &amp; the Soulsonic Force - Looking for the Perfect Beat</li><li>Run-DMC - It's Like That</li><li>Whodini - Friends</li><li>Cold Crush Brothers - Fresh, Fly, Wild &amp; Bold</li><li>T. La Rock - It's Yours</li><li>The World's Famous Supreme Team - Hey! DJ</li><li>Newcleus - Jam on It </li><li>Utfo - Roxanne, Roxanne</li></ol><h4>DISC: 3</h4><ol><li>Roxanne Shanté - Roxanne's Revenge</li><li>Fat Boys - Fat Boys</li><li>Doug E. Fresh &amp; MC Ricky D - la Di Da Di</li><li>LL Cool J - I Can't Live Without My Radio</li><li>Schoolly D - P.S.K. 'What Does It Mean?'</li><li>Run-Dmc Feat. Aerosmith - Walk This Way</li><li>Beastie Boys - Paul Revere</li><li>Ultramagnetic MC's - Ego Tripping</li><li>Ice-T - 6 'N the Mornin' </li><li>Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now </li><li>LL Cool J - I Need Love</li><li>Eric B Feat. Rakim - Eric B Is President</li><li>Mantronix - King of the Beats</li></ol><h4>DISC: 4</h4><ol><li>Stetsasonic Feat. the Rev. Jesse Jackson &amp; Olatunji - A.F.R.I.C.A</li><li>Jazzy Jeff &amp; the Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand</li><li>Audio Two - Top Billin'</li><li>MC Lyte - Lyte As a Rock</li><li>Big Daddy Kane - Raw</li><li>Marley Marl Feat. Master Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, &amp; Big Daddy Kane - the Symphony</li><li>MC Lyte - I Cram to Understand U (Sam)</li><li>Tone LŌC - Wild Thing</li><li>Rob Base &amp; DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two</li><li>Jungle Brothers - I'll House You</li><li>N.W.A. - F*** Tha Police</li><li>Public Enemy - Fight the Power</li><li>The Stop the Violence Movement - Self Destruction</li><li>Too Short - Life Is... Too Short</li><li>Slick Rick - Children's Story</li><li>3rd Bass - the Gas Face</li></ol><h4>DISC: 5</h4><ol><li>Queen Latifah Feat. Monie Love - Ladies First</li><li>Public Enemy - Bring the Noise</li><li>De la Soul - Me Myself and I</li><li>Biz Markie - Just a Friend</li><li>The D.O.C. - It's Funky Enough</li><li>2 Live Crew - Me So Horny</li><li>Digital Underground - the Humpty Dance</li><li>MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This</li><li>Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby</li><li>Brand Nubian - All for One</li><li>Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks on Me</li><li>A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario</li><li>Black Sheep - the Choice Is Yours</li><li>Salt-N-Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex</li><li>Yo-Yo Feat. Ice-Cube - Can't Play with My Yo-Yo</li><li>Naughty By Nature - O.P.P</li></ol><h4>DISC: 6</h4><ol><li>Dr. Dre Feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg - Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang</li><li>Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day</li><li>Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back</li><li>Arrested Development - Tennessee</li><li>Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)</li><li>House of Pain - Jump Around</li><li>Positive K - I Got a Man</li><li>Pete Rock &amp; C.L. Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)</li><li>UGK - Pocket Full of Stones</li><li>Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M</li><li>Cypress Hill - Insane in the Brain</li><li>The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By </li><li>Eightball &amp; MJG - Comin Out Hard</li><li>Common Sense - I Used to Love H.E.R</li><li>Da Brat - Funkdafied</li><li>Nas - N.Y. State of Mind</li><li>Craig Mack Feat. the Notorious B.I.G., Rampage, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes - Flava in Your Ear</li></ol><h4>DISC: 7</h4><ol><li>Beastie Boys - Sabotage</li><li>The Notorious BIG - Juicy</li><li>Gang Starr Feat. Nice &amp; Smooth - Dwyck</li><li>Warren G Feat. Nate Dogg - Regulate</li><li>Snoop Doggy Dogg - Murder Was the Case</li><li>E-40 Feat. Suga T - Sprinkle Me</li><li>Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy</li><li>Coolio Feat. L.V. - Gangsta's Paradise</li><li>2Pac - Dear Mama</li><li>Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Part 2</li><li>Method Man Feat. Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By</li><li>Foxy Brown Feat. Jay-Z - I'll Be</li><li>Lil Kim Feat. Puff Daddy - No Time</li><li>Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads</li><li>Wu-Tang Clan Feat. Cappadonna - Triumph</li><li>Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See</li><li>Master P Feat. Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, Fiend - Make 'Em Say Uhh!</li></ol><h4>DISC: 8</h4><ol><li>Missy Elliot - the Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)</li><li>Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)</li><li>DMX - Ruff Ryders' Anthem</li><li>The Roots - the Next Movement</li><li>Mos Def - Mathematics</li><li>BG - Bling Bling</li><li>Dead Prez - Hip Hop</li><li>Eminem Feat. Dido - Stan</li><li>Outkast - Ms. Jackson</li><li>Nelly - Country Grammar (Hot Shit)</li><li>Ludacris Feat. Pharrell - Southern Hospitality</li><li>Nas - One Mic</li><li>50 Cent - in Da Club</li><li>Lil Jon &amp; the East Side Boyz Feat. Ying Yang Twins - Get Low</li></ol><h4>DISC: 9</h4><ol><li>Talib Kweli - Black Girl Pain</li><li>Kanye West - Jesus Walks</li><li>Three 6 Mafia Feat. Young Buck, Eightball &amp; MJG - Stay Fly</li><li>Rick Ross - Hustlin'</li><li>Lupe Fiasco Feat. Nikki Jean - Hip-Hop Saved My Life</li><li>Young Jezzy Feat. Nas - My President</li><li>David Banner Feat. Chris Brown &amp; Yung Joc - Get Like Me</li><li>Lil Wayne Feat. Robin Thicke - Tie My Hands</li><li>Jay Electronica - Exhibit C</li><li>Nicki Minaj - Super Bass</li><li>Macklemore &amp; Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz - Thrift Shop</li><li>J Cole Feat. TLC - Crooked Smile</li><li>Kanye West - Blood on the Leaves</li><li>Drake - Started from the Bottom</li></ol><h2><strong>Watch the trailer to the anthology below:</strong></h2>

The Smithsonian released a 129-song track list to their rap anthology, showing the genre's evolution over the past 4 decades

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/prince-is-dead-2016-4" target="_blank">Prince's death at age 57</a> is rocking the entertainment world like few other events ever have.<p>Famous fans&#xa0;of the musician span generations, including movie stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Marlee Matlin, and Elijah Wood, as well as fellow music artists Wu Tang Clan, Lupe Fiasco, and Justin Timberlake.</p><p>They flocked to social media to share their memories, pain, stories, and admiration.</p><p><span>Prince's&#xa0;body was found at his&#xa0;</span><span>Paisley Park estate in&#xa0;</span><span class="s1">suburban Minneapolis</span><span> on Thursday,&#xa0;after police responded to a call regarding&#xa0;a death. The cause of death is unknown at this time, though a representative for Prince previously said he&#xa0;<span>"has been fighting the flu for several weeks."</span></span></p><p><strong>See what entertainers and Prince's fans are saying about his sudden death below:</strong></p><p><div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p><div></div></p><p></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer"><div></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/misty-copeland-prince-tour-france-2014-11">What Touring With Prince Taught A Young Dancer About Building A Career</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="9qZDhscTq_MUn-7AdFuUtZuX2Qc9THsh" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

How celebrities and friends are mourning Prince's sudden death

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>The University of Pennsylvania is the top party school in the country, <a href="http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboys-top-party-schools">according to a new ranking released by Playboy Magazine</a>.</p>
<p>The Ivy League school tops Playboy's ninth annual list of party schools, its first appearance in the ranking. Last year's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playboy-west-virginia-university-top-party-school-2013-9">number one school</a>, West Virginia University, fell to number three on Playboy's list.</p>
<p><span>"Smarties can party too, and UPenn puts other Ivies to shame with its union of brains, brewskies and bros," Playboy writes. "Boasting a notorious underground frat scene that school officials have deemed a nuisance, these renegades pony up thousands of dollars' worth of liquor for their parties-and competition among the houses means a balls-out war of debauchery." </span></p>
<p>College party video website I'm Shmacked took a trip to Philadelphia for UPenn's Spring Fling in 2012. The annual event is a huge party, with musical guests including Lupe Fiasco, Girl Talk, and Ludacris.</p>
<p><strong>You can watch video of the event below:</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>"This year's list was determined by Playboy's editors who considered a variety of factors in their selection process, including access to nightlife and musical events, and creativity when planning social gatherings. Information from the National Center for <keyword id="6355445" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Education">Education</keyword> Statistics, the NCAA, and the US Economic Census was also considered," according to a press release.</p>
<p><strong>Here's the full top 10 party school list from Playboy:</strong></p>
<ol type="1">
<li>University of Pennsylvania</li>
<li>University of Wisconsin</li>
<li>West Virginia University</li>
<li>University of Arizona</li>
<li>University of Iowa</li>
<li>University of California, Santa Cruz</li>
<li>University of Miami</li>
<li>Colorado State University</li>
<li>University of Texas</li>
<li>Syracuse University</li>
</ol>

Playboy Magazine Names UPenn Top Party School In The Country

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>On the sports field and at awards ceremonies, it's common to hear people thanking God. Thanks to Allah is heard less often. </p>
<p>Still, there are <a href="http://features.pewforum.org/muslim-population-graphic/#/United%20States">over 2.5 million American Muslims</a>, making it the third largest religion in the country.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">While Muslims only account for 0.8% of the population, they have faced </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"></span><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/11/13-years-after-9-11-anti-muslim-bigotry-is-worse-than-ever.html">rising discrimination and prejudice</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> since the 9/11 attacks 13 years ago. With the rise of groups like ISIS now seeking to promote their brand of violent extremism, that may be unlikely to end anytime soon.</span></p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/">recent poll</a> reported that 62% of American's didn't personally know a Muslim, so here's a list of 10 Muslim Americans you probably will know.</p>
<h3>Dr. Oz</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of "The Dr Oz Show" and vice chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University, was </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/profiles/dr-mehmet-oz/4/">born in Ohio to Turkish parents</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. His mother's family was fiercely secular, while his father's family treated Islam as much more central to their lives. Dr. Oz has said he's struggled with his religious understanding, but describes his beliefs as a </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/video/islam-and-identity/140/">mystical form of Islam closely related to Sufism</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<h3>Shaquille O'Neal </h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>O'Neal has <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/11/sports/sp-shaq11">rarely spoken publicly</a> about being a Muslim, but in 2010 he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3VaLXPM3aY">did reveal</a> he intended to take the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, known as the Hajj. The Saudi government bars all non-Muslims from visiting the city of Mecca.</p>
<h3>Fareed Zakaria </h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The Indian-born journalist Fareed Zakaria hosts his own show on CNN, is an editor at large for Time Magazine, and writes a foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. Zakaria was raised by Muslim parents, though he has stated he doesn't consider himself </span><a href="http://www.wnyc.org/story/90760-fareed-zakaria-and-mosque/">"a particularly religious person</a>."</p>
<h3>Ellen Burstyn</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p>Emmy-winning actor Ellen Burstyn appears to follow a loose form <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703376504575491923234302084">of Sufi Islam</a>, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Burstyn, known for "The Exorcist," "Requiem For A Dream," and "Political Animals," says she <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Celebrities/Ellen-Burstyns-True-Face.aspx?p=4">believes in aspects from many major religions</a>.</p>
<h3>Aasif Mandvi</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Actor and comedian Aasif Mandvi is best known for his role as a "Daily Show" correspondent. Mandvi was born in India and then spent much of his childhood in the UK before his family </span><a href="http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/for-aasif-mandvi-cultural-irreverence-on-the-daily-show/545843">ultimately moved to Tampa, Florida</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p>
<p>Mandvi <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/for-aasif-mandvi-cultural-irreverence-on-the-daily-show/545843">told the Tampa Bay Times</a>, "My experience on 'The Daily Show' is that ... sometimes you get the thing that you want, but in a way that you never expected to get it."</p>
<p>"Like an important time to say something as a Muslim-American, as a brown person, as an immigrant. I feel like a lot of my work is about (exploring) that gap between cultures ... I just want to keep building on that," <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/for-aasif-mandvi-cultural-irreverence-on-the-daily-show/545843">he said</a>.</p>
<h3>Akon</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>A self-described<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><a href="http://hollowverse.com/akon/">"spiritual man</a>,"<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> Akon has weaved his religious beliefs into his music. In his song "Senegal," </span><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Akon/_/Senegal">he raps</a>,<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> "So what you know about how God comes first in our lives, everything that we do is for Allah."</span></p>
<h3>Dave Chappelle </h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>The comedian <span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Dave Chapelle has spoken about his beliefs on occasion but tends to shy away from talking about being a Muslim. "I don't normally talk about my religion publicly because I don't want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing," he </span><a href="http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1061415,00.html">told Time Magazine in 2005</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p>
<p>In a later interview, the comedian said a trip to Africa had crystallized his beliefs. "I'm a Muslim, I don't necessarily practice the way a good Muslim is supposed to practice but I believe in these tenants," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnZoG_Fq_j0">Chapelle said</a>.</p>
<h3>Ice Cube</h3>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Rapper and "Law and Order SVU" star Ice Cube converted to Islam in the 1990s. Born and raised in LA California, </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/feb/25/icecube">Ice Cube has stated</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, "What I call myself is a natural Muslim, because it's just me and God. You know, going to the mosque, the ritual and the tradition, it's just not in me to do. So I don't do it."</span></p>
<h3>T-Pain </h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="background-color: #00ff00;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Grammy Award winning rapper T-Pain was born Faheem Rasheed Najm and grew up in Tallahassee, Florida.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">He says most people aren't aware that he was raised a Muslim. "People don't even know. Me, Busta Rhymes, Lupe Fiasco - they don't even know we are Muslim. People think a Muslim has to have a turban or a big beard. It's stupid," </span><a href="http://hollowverse.com/t-pain/">T-Pain said</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p>
<p>However, T-Pain has also expressed broad beliefs in aspects of many religions, and has also stated that he doesn't like that religion separates people. </p>

9 Famous Americans You Probably Didn't Know Were Muslim

<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/syracuse-university-is-the-top-party-school-in-the-country-2014-8" target="_blank">Syracuse University just nabbed the top spot</a> on The Princeton Review's list of the best party schools in the U.S.</p>
<p>Although Syracuse <a href="http://news.syr.edu/statement-from-syracuse-university-regarding-princeton-review-party-school-ranking-47005/" target="_blank">isn't particularly proud of the title</a>, any Orange-man or woman will assure you that there are plenty of explanations why Syracuse deserves the place of honor. We would know, we both are proud alums. </p>
<p>Here are a few reasons why Syracuse is the best party school in the country:</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Melia Robinson</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>1. Mayfest, Syracuse's all-day outdoor celebration, is the biggest party of the year.</h3>
<p>After braving a long winter and nearly making it all the way through second semester, Syracuse students get to let loose with a gigantic, free-for-all party that spans down Comstock, up Euclid, and on every street in between. Everyone party hops from yard-to-yard (and bouncy house to keg stand) until the night culminates in Block Party, a big concert held in the Dome, which has included recent performances by 2chainz and Kesha.</p>
<p>The University even started giving out free beer and food at Walnut Park in 2012."Mayfest is the happiest day of the year," <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/story/bounce-houses-beer-and-glitter-make-mayfest-2013-memories" target="_blank">Syracuse alumna Megan Corbet says</a>."It's like Christmas." (Ironically, Mayfest is almost always held in April.)</p>
<h3>2. Juice Jam starts first semester off with a wild time.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFlwcEbJHG0">YouTube/Daily Orange</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Earlier in the school year, the university puts together <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFlwcEbJHG0">Juice Jam</a>, a gigantic outdoor concert, although sans free beer.</p>
<p>Sweaty students gather in the sunshine of a large field on South Campus and dance their faces off to headliners like Phish, Avicii, and Lupe Fiasco.</p>
<h3>3. If you get lucky at Faegan's Flip Night, all your beers could be free.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/melonhugh/8606646577/in/photolist-">Flickr/Zixi Wu</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Every Wednesday, Faegan's Pub right off Marshall Street hosts Flip Night.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">When you order a drink, the bartender flips a coin, and if you call it correctly, your beer is free.</span></p>
<p>Faegan's is also known for Senior Sundays, which means a super-cheap Long Island Iced Tea special, and World Beer Tour Tuesdays, where you pay $3 for a pint and try to drink every beer on the menu throughout the course of the semester.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Isa Alcantara" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53dfd4aeecad04f763f4aa06-960/syracuse-snow.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Isa Alcantara</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>4. Syracuse is one of the <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/02/post_1000.html" target="_blank">snowiest cities in the country</a>, which leads to plenty of outdoor shenanigans.</h3>
<p>Syracuse winters may be almost unbearably freezing, but they also mean sledding on cafeteria trays down Crouse hill, building giant snow creatures in your front yard or at your dorm, and snowball fights in Thornden Park.</p>
<p>(And yes, even when it's freezing, you'll still see students trekking across slippery sidewalks at 11 p.m. to "warm up" at parties.)</p>
<h3>5. You can always find a house party (often with a theme).</h3>
<p>Because Syracuse has a lot of student housing close together on several streets (like Euclid, Ackerman, Livingston, Sumner, and Clarendon, to name a few), you can always find something going on and open on a Friday or Saturday night, even when you're an underclassman.</p>
<p>Whether you're packed into an attic or a basement, you'll be greeted by some combination of flip cup, beer pong, dancing, and Jungle Juice. Ugly sweater party, anyone?</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2KN2dlUos">Screenshot / YouTube</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>6. Castle Court parking lot parties are a great way to celebrate outside.</h3>
<p>Because the Castle Court apartment complex is so close to all the sororities and fraternities on Walnut, a lot of members live there, and will host big outdoor parties that fill the entire lot.</p>
<p>Bouncy houses (and Afroman) have been known to make appearances.</p>
<h3>7. Pre-gaming, literally</h3>
<p>On game days all across campus, massive tailgating sprees break out. Fraternities even host all-day ragers, like Alpha Tau Omega's annual pig roast, to kick-off specific rivalries or just a season in general.</p>
<p>And of course, the aforementioned Castle Court gets involved. Claustraphobics or anti-social types should avoid the area entirely.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span></p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Ben Glidden </span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>8. Students camp out in "Boeheimburg" outside the Dome for a week or more before a big game.</h3>
<p>"Bleeding Orange" is a major part of the SU experience.This year, students camped out for 14 days in subzero temperatures before the Duke game.</p>
<p>Basketball coach Jim Boeheim himself even made an appearance: He and his staff handed out donuts and coffee to all the dedicated (and exhausted) fans.</p>
<h3>9. Playing beer pong in your South Campus apartment.</h3>
<p>After freshman years spent in tiny dorms, hordes of students turn to South Campus living for their sophomore (and even junior) years. Located by the athletic complex, South campus acts as its own little community, complete with a dining hall, gym, and laundry facilities, all just a five minute bus ride from main campus.</p>
<p>With no RAs and mostly athletes living there, kitchen tables converted to beer pong games become a routine sight. The Inn Complete, a bar(n) with a trivia night, also resides on South Campus for the 21-and-over crowd.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/WXez-giIOt/?modal=true">Christina Sterbenz</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>10. Buying beer at the Dome on your student ID.</h3>
<p>Once you get inside the Carrier Dome, more shenanigans await. Not only is Syracuse's stadium loud, it's one of the few that sells beer. And believe it or not, students can buy brews using their university accounts.</p>
<p>Even though the money you add to your "SUpercard" (See what the administration did there?) comes straight from your own bank account (or your parents'), it still feels like you're drinking on the university's dime.</p>
<p>And trust us, no sight parallels a sea of orange at the record-breaking 2010 Cuse-Villanova basketball game.</p>
<h3>11. Trivia night at the Inn Complete lets you feel like a brainiac while downing free popcorn and cheap brews. </h3>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://vimeo.com/60465084">Screenshot / Vimeo</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<p>Every Thursday, the South Campus bar puts on a trivia night where teams of 10 students put their knowledge to the test with tough questions on any topic, while endlessly refilling their bowls of free popcorn and buying each other rounds of beer. (Added bonus: Because Inn Complete bartenders get paid through the school as an on-campus job, there's no tipping required!)</p>
<p>The grand prize: A jumbo plate of delicious appetizers, a free bar tab, and a whole lot of glory.</p>
<h3>12. The annual <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/story/totally-fabulous-drag-show-2013-crowns-winner" target="_blank">Totally Fabulous Drag Show</a> brings out the best burlesque students have to offer.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://orgs.syr.edu/prideunion/2014/01/23/do-you-think-you-have-what-it-takes-to-become-the-next-performer-of-the-hill/">Pride Union</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p>Every winter, Pride Union hosts the fiercest competition on campus, encouraging teams of students to dress in drag and put on a lip-synced, choreographed show. While the performers bump and grind on stage, students throw tips and faculty judges rate their acts.</p>
<p>Shangela Laquifa Wadley, a former contestant on "RuPaul's Drag Race," has emceed the event several times, as has another former contestant, Jujubee.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Emily Kristine</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>13. If you want some variety from the typical 'Cuse party, ESF students know how to have a good time, too.</h3>
<p>Because Syracuse and SUNY ESF practically share a campus, it's easy to become friends with students from the other school, which means a whole new group of people to meet and party with.</p>
<p>Every year ESF students have their own version of Mayfest, called Redfest, which features live music and lots of body painting.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_left"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Instagram</span></p></div><p></p></div>14. Fishbowl's at Lucy's </h3>
<p>Although under new management recently, another bar, Lucy's, kept the best item on the menu - the Fishbowl.</p>
<p>Fishbowls, which actually come in classic fishbowl-shaped glass containers, formerly sold in two sizes: small (one pint) and large (about two and a half pints). They also came in about 20 different flavors,the <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/restaurant-review/lucys-retired-surfers-bar">Newshouse</a>, an SU publication reports. Personal favorites include the "Georgia Peach" and "Key Lime Sunset."</p>
<p>The bartenders would also throw in multiple straws, sometimes of the bendy variety, so you could share with your homies. Braving the rum/vodka drink alone might be too much and not enough all at the same time.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_left"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Facebook</span></p></div><p></p></div>15. Write on the walls of the campus' favorite bar at a gloriously cheap happy hour.</h3>
<p>Ask anyone - students fondly look upon Chuck's Cafe, a divey bar just a short walk from both the dorm and residential areas on campus - oh, and Jimmy John's.</p>
<p>From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every weekday, Chucks-goers can throw down $3.50 for a pitcher of Honey Brown Lager, poured with love by their favorite bartenders, Thor and Flower. The fried pickles ain't too shabby, either.</p>
<p>Once they've gorged themselves on carbs, students can grab an aerosol can or permanent marker and leave their marks on the graffiti-ed walls. The bouncers will probably turn the other cheek. Or you can play it safe with the pool table, basketball shooting-game, and dart board.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_NB0ziFeQ0">YouTube / Screenshot</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>16. Riding (and falling off) the Bull at Daisy Duke's</h3>
<p>Not only the campus bars offer the opportunity for tipsy memories. Benjamin's on Franklin, the Syracuse SUDS Factory, and The Blue Tusk all give students a taste of downtown Syracuse. One of these bars, however, Daisy Duke's, stands out.</p>
<p>On the side of the bar opposite from the laser-soaked dance floor, patrons can ride a mechanical bull for free. But first, you have to lose your shoes - and your dignity.</p>
<h3>17. Sampling the finer drinks in life at Al's Wine and Whiskey Bar.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://agoodhostess.com/2012/01/27/ladder-up/">Wordpress/A Good Hostess</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Speaking of downtown Syracuse, Al's Wine and Whiskey bar adds an element of class to the usual drinking scene.</p>
<p>Usually reserved for "over-it" seniors and grad students, the hip speakeasy offers a literal wall of whiskey, live music, perfectly worn leather couches, and a pool table in the back.</p>
<h3>18. The "Heaven and Hell" Party</h3>
<p>Speaking of fraternities, Phi Psi's annual Halloween event, the Heaven and Hell party, is about as exclusive as events get on a college campus.</p>
<p>Students plan weeks in advance to find a guy who knows a guy who knows a brother in the house who can give them some tickets - which you actually need. Phi Psi keeps a pretty strict guest list, with hired security guys checking tickets, along with student IDs, at the entrance.</p>
<p>For the record, we're both GDI's (or in Cuse speak, "god damn independents") not involved in Greek life. But who can resist the chance for a ridiculous costume, free beer, and a slippery dance floor?</p>

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