Celebrity Birthdays, February 16: Lupe Fiasco and Christopher Eccleston

Rapper Lupe Fiasco and actor Christopher Eccleston are celebrating their birthdays today, February 16.

Lupe Fiasco, 33

Rapper, record producer and entrepreneur Lupe Fiasco turns 33 today. Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, Fiasco began his career underground where he joined a group called Da Pak. The group signed with Epic Records but disbanded after releasing one single. Fiasco continued recording music and signed to Atlantic Records with the help of rapper Jay Z. His single "Kick, Push" earned him two Grammy nominations in 2007.

Fiasco rose to fame in 2006 with the release of his debut album Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda and The Neptunes were a few names who helped with production. The album earned another Grammy nomination, winning Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the single "Daydreamin'" featuring Jill Scott. He released his second studio album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, in 2007. The single, "Superstar," peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2011, Fiasco released his third studio album, Lasers, more than two and a half years after the its completion. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the first single, "The Show Goes On," which samples "Float On" by Modest Mouse, peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

In 2012, Fiasco released Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, which earned a Grammy nomination for for Best Rap Album. His next album, Tetsuo & Youth, was released in January 2015 and contained the hit single "Old School Love" featuring Ed Sheeran.

Fiasco also has two clothing lines, Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly and has also designed sneakers for Reebok.

image courtesy of INFphoto.com

Christopher Eccleston, 51

Actor Christopher Eccleston turns 51 today. Eccleston began his career in theater before transitioning to film and television. He appeared in numerous films including Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Others and 28 Days Later.

In 2005, Eccleston became the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the revival of the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, however, he left the series after one season. Eccleston went on to appear in numerous stage productions before returning to film and television.

Eccleston gained international success after appearing in The Lives of Others and Pan's Labyrinth. He went on to portray the villain Destro in the film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. In 2010, He was cast as John Lennon in the BBC production of Lennon Naked. That same year, he starred in the first episode of the BBC One anthology drama Accused, winning an International Emmy Award for his role.

Eccleston continued to make film, television and stage appearances in the UK. In 2013, he starred as the villain Malekith in Thor: The Dark World. Eccleston is married and has one child. He currently stars in the HBO series The Leftovers which has been renewed for a second season.

image courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com