Lupe Fiasco Lends His Artistry And Advocacy To RIAA’s Annual Musicians On Call Benefit Event

Lupe Fiasco brought the energy and insight to The Atlantis in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday (Feb. 26), the Chicago native headlined a benefit event for Musicians On Call (MOC), hosted by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Human Artistry Campaign (HAC).

The Grammy-winning artist delivered a night of unforgettable music to celebrate MOC’s mission to “bring the healing power of live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare environments in support of their healing.”

Industry professionals, policymakers, and local community members packed the venue, with support from sponsors including Alibaba Group, BMI, Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), Jewel Box Platinum, and SoundExchange. The evening began with remarks from RIAA Chairman & CEO and MOC Board Chairman Emeritus Mitch Glazier, who highlighted the intersection of music, technology, and advocacy.

“RIAA is honored to recognize the amazing work of Musicians on Call and the dedicated volunteers bringing hope to many,” Glazier told the crowd. “Alongside the Human Artistry Campaign, a global organization that fights for the responsible use of AI in harmony with human creators, we welcome each of you here tonight to experience the impact of music – from this stage with the incredible stylings of Lupe Fiasco to artists in your own communities.”

MOC Director of Artist Relations Torianne Valdez echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the power of music in healthcare spaces. “Huge thanks to RIAA for their amazing support of Musicians On Call! With partners like them, we bring the joy of live music to thousands of patients, families, and caregivers every year. We’re lucky to work with incredible artists like Lupe Fiasco, who bring smiles to hospitals when they’re needed the most. This is an unforgettable night celebrating the healing power of music.”

With that said, the spotlight was then given to Fiasco, who delivered a setlist filled with career-defining hits. The crowd erupted as he performed Gold-certified favorites “Hip-Hop Saved My Life” and “Outta My Head” before launching into his Platinum track, “Kick, Push.” The energy peaked as he performed his three-time Platinum smash “Superstar” and his highest-certified single to date, the seven-times Platinum anthem “The Show Goes On.”

Beyond his music, Fiasco has served as a professor at Yale, MIT, and Johns Hopkins, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology. His partnership with MIT led to the creation of Endless LUP, an AI-powered radio station that’s programmed using his own rapping abilities. He’s also co-founded initiatives such as We Are M.U.R.A.L, The Neighborhood Start-Up Fund, and the Society of Spoken Art.

As the night came to a close, Glazier and RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne joined Fiasco on stage to celebrate his contributions—not just as an artist but as an advocate. They presented him with a plaque commemorating an impressive milestone: 20,000,000 RIAA-certified units across four albums and nine singles released through Atlantic. Ballantyne took a moment to honor Fiasco’s lasting impact.

“To everyone here tonight, you are a part of advancing and protecting culture through art – those who create it, those who consume it, and those who benefit from the power of it!” she said. “Lupe Fiasco is a true artist and fierce advocate, inspiring and teaching us all how music can expand our reality. We are thrilled to celebrate new accolades now totaling 22 million RIAA-certified units across your career … and many more to come!”