Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco reportedly made a Black History Month speech at a South Side Church Friday night where he addressed Chicago violence and slain teen Hadiya Pendleton.
The one-hour speech at the St. Sabina Church featured a series of stories describing violence plaguing the city and called for change, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
He also named everyone in the church “Hadiya Coleman,” stating that we are all Hadiya Pendleton and Jo-Jo Coleman, a killed Chicago rapper and known gang member, the Sun-Times reported.
Lupe’s speech coincided with President Barack Obama’s gun violence address at Hyde Park Academy High School that same night.
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Obama’s speech also addressed the 15-year-old gun violence victim.
"Unfortunately what happened to Hadiya is not unique. It's not unique to Chicago. It's not unique to this country. Too many of our children are being taken away from us," he said.
Though their messages were similar, the 30-year-old Grammy winner and the President are not known allies. In fact, Lupe was kicked off the stage at the President’s inauguration after performing an “anti-Obama” song. He has also previously criticized Obama, calling him “a terrorist.”
Pendleton was killed at Kenwood Park on the city's South Side days after she performed at some of President Barack Obama's recent inauguration festivities. She was shot to death blocks from her school and about a mile from the president's and first lady's Chicago home, thrusting Chicago into the center of gun violence debates.
Two men have been arrested and charged with her murder.
