[View the story "Gaza rap lyrics cut short Lupe Fiasco concert" on Storify ]Gaza rap lyrics cut short Lupe Fiasco concert Chicago-based rapper escorted off stage after repeating lyrics critical of US President. Storified by The Stream · Mon, Jan 21 2013 09:15:52
Lupe Fiasco Reportedly Kicked Off Stageviralnews1
Reporter Josh Rogin was at the concert and tweeted the events as they happened:
Lupe Fiasco just got thrown off stage here at the Hamilton Live after he went on an anti-Obama diatribe mid set.Josh Rogin
So Lupe played one anti-war song for 30 min and said he didn't vote for Obama and eventually was told to move on to the next song.Josh Rogin
Lupe refused to move to the next song so a team of security guards came on stage and told him to go.Josh Rogin
The event's organisers released a statement Sunday night claiming that Lupe Fiasco was removed for his refusal to move on to another song, not for expressing anti-Obama sentiments. Via HyperVocal:
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.hypervocal.com
Twitter users sent out messages of support for Lupe Fiasco and blasted the event's organisers for escorting him off the stage.
Wow. Lupe Fiasco told to stop singing anti-war song and to stop criticizing Dear Leader. Security goons removed him. Democracy!The Rancid Honeytrap
Whoever invited Lupe clearly had no idea what he stands for. Respect to Mr Fiasco.فاطمة
Lupe Fiasco thrown off stage for anti-Obama rant. So much for the First Amendment.Fartmaster Flex
Lupe Fiasco criticizes Obama: Democrats flip out. Obama drone bombs men, women, & children in half a dozen countries: SilenceRemi Kanazi
What other known artists besides Immortal technique and Lupe Fiasco, actually speak about political issues and what's going on in Gaza?عائشة
So Lupe Fiasco just performed an anti Obama set at an inauguration party in DC... And they say hip hop doesn't have a message anymore.jonathan
Others criticised the timing of his political statement.
Dude played Words I Never Said for 30 minutes so he could make his anti Obama remarks at an Obama event? Lupe Fiasco has ZERO respectMaggie May.
Lupe Fiasco is so disrespectful. It's cool to mildly criticize at inconsequential times. But you booked HIS event on HIS weekend and do it?Tatyana T.
- Lupe Fiasco had a good point but it was still very disrespectful to do that song at his inauguration.Soprano!
As many also pointed out, Lupe has previously expressed
strong criticism of Obama.
Why would you even invite Lupe Fiasco to an inauguration party in the first place we already know he doesn't like ObamaTaylor
Who thought it was a good idea to invite Lupe Fiasco to anything Obama-related tho? That's the funny part. #inaug2013Black Canseco
Somebody who doesn't listen to Hip Hop at all booked Lupe for an Obama event trying to convince people he listens to hip hop.Kazeem Famuyide
