Nu Deco ft. Lupe Fiasco

Hip-hop lyricism meets orchestral force in a program that pairs new symphonic works with one of rap’s most acclaimed voices.

Nu Deco Ensemble ft. Lupe Fiasco takes place Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Miami Beach Bandshell as part of Nu Deco’s 11th Season. The concert features the world premiere of a symphonic suite honoring Mac Miller, Pascal LeBaeuff’s Playground in a newly adapted chamber version and a new Nu Deco original work. GRAMMY-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco joins the ensemble for a special collaboration, while the evening closes with the sweeping finale of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work that channels defiance and resilience through sound.

Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco in Chicago, Lupe Fiasco is a GRAMMY Award–winning rapper, producer and entrepreneur recognized for his incisive lyricism and visionary approach. Rising to prominence with his 2006 debut Food & Liquor, he has released a series of acclaimed albums that blend social commentary with musical innovation, earning multiple platinum singles, 12 GRAMMY nominations and a reputation as one of hip-hop’s most thoughtful voices. Beyond music, he has co-founded community initiatives that foster creative opportunities in underrepresented communities.

Founded in 2015 by Jacomo Bairos and Sam Hyken, Nu Deco Ensemble has become a cornerstone of Miami’s music scene. Praised by The New York Times as a “chamber orchestra for the 21st century,” the group is known for blending classical tradition with pop, jazz and global influences, and for creating genre-defying collaborations with artists across the musical spectrum.