Lupe Fiasco has been named a distinguished visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute. As announced by the musician on Instagram, he will teach rap to students seeking a Bachelor of Music in Hip-Hop at the esteemed institution.
“Thrilled to share that I’ll be joining the faculty at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in Fall 2025 as a Distinguished Visiting Professor, teaching Rap as part of the groundbreaking new 4-year Hip Hop Degree Program led by the visionary Professor,” detailed the 42-year-old.
“The @peabodyinstitute is one of the oldest music conservatories in America. World renowned for its rigorous training and for producing some of the world’s greatest musicians, and I’m honored to contribute to this legacy doing what I love most, Rap. I’ll continue my teaching at @mit and pursuing my fellowship at @yale while advancing Rap studies and practice into the upper echelons of higher education at large.”
According to the website, the program is the first Hip-Hop performance degree in the country. It is described as combining the university’s “Music Engineering and Technology programs’ resources and strengths with Peabody’s long history of performance-training excellence,” as designed by award-winning composer, producer, beatmaker, pianist, and professor Wendel Patrick.
Turntable majors will study with a world-class turntablist and rap majors with a chart-topping emcee. Coursework on cultural history and the sociopolitical environment in which Hip Hop was born; developments in style, technique, and technology; and the genre’s rise in popularity and influence will also be covered, in addition to the private lessons.
The application deadline has been extended to January 24, 2025, with prescreening requirements — ranging from two original rap songs, four original beats, a turntable performance, or a beatbox performance — submitted by video before a live audition. Additionally, all applicants are required to complete an online music theory assessment.
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