The way Kendrick Lamar’s music reflects the power, plight, and politics of Black America should be studied. And pretty soon, Temple University students will do just that.
The Philadelphia institution announced last week its plan to launch a new course in the Fall 2025 semester titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D. City.” The class, taught by Timothy Welbeck of Temple’s Africology and African American Studies department, will explore the Compton rapper’s life, catalog, and cultural impact.
College campuses have long embraced hip-hop scholarship, with Tupac Shakur, OutKast, Lil’ Kim, and Jay-Z all inspiring coursework. Nas even has a fellowship named after him at Harvard. Still, we think higher ed academies are sleeping on plenty of artists who offer food for thought across academic disciplines.
Okayplayer University: 10 Rappers Who Lowkey Deserve Their Own College Courses
by Editor's Pick
Jul 22
The way Kendrick Lamar’s music reflects the power, plight, and politics of Black America should be studied. And pretty soon, Temple University students will do just that.
The Philadelphia institution announced last week its plan to launch a new course in the Fall 2025 semester titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D. City.” The class, taught by Timothy Welbeck of Temple’s Africology and African American Studies department, will explore the Compton rapper’s life, catalog, and cultural impact.
College campuses have long embraced hip-hop scholarship, with Tupac Shakur, OutKast, Lil’ Kim, and Jay-Z all inspiring coursework. Nas even has a fellowship named after him at Harvard. Still, we think higher ed academies are sleeping on plenty of artists who offer food for thought across academic disciplines.
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