International 411: Lupe Fiasco for Mt Kilimanjaro

Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop artist Lupe Fiasco has pledged to climb Africa’s tallest mountain in efforts to heighten awareness of the world’s growing water crisis.

Ethiopian pop artist, Kenna, recruited the Chicago emcee to the cause. The Ethiopian star, whose father nearly died as a child due to lack of clean drinking water, is making the mountain trek for an issue that has affected his family, reports BET.com.

Lupe Fiasco: Plans to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

"My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia and he had talked to me about digging a well there, and I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water. Maybe I can help out,’" he told Elle magazine. Lupe Fiasco is not only climbing to create awareness but also for the thrill of the experience.

"I’m an adventure junkie," he said. "Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that."

Justin Timberlake is also expected to join Lupe and Kenna on the journey, which is scheduled to take place later this year.