Acclaimed rapper and lyricist Lupe Fiasco is taking his love for Hip Hop to the classroom once again.
The Chicago-born artist, known for his sharp storytelling and thought-provoking lyrics, announced that he will join the faculty of Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in the fall of 2025.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Lupe shared his excitement about this new chapter:
“Let’s hit the ground running in 2025… 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.”
The program, led by Professor Wendel Patrick, represents a monumental shift in how Hip Hop is perceived in academic spaces. It is one of the first full-degree offerings in Hip Hop by a renowned conservatory, marking a historic moment for the genre’s elevation into higher education.
“The Peabody Institute is one of the oldest music conservatories in America,” Lupe added. “World-renowned for its rigorous training and for producing some of the world’s greatest musicians, and I’m honoured to contribute to this legacy doing what I love most, Rap.”
This isn’t Lupe’s first foray into academia. He is already a lecturer on Hip Hop at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a fellow at Yale University. However, his upcoming role at Johns Hopkins solidifies his mission to bring Rap into academic spaces where it can be studied, practised, and celebrated at the highest level.
“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. See you soon, Baltimore,” Lupe concluded.
