Unlocking Genius: Kendrick Lamar’s Influence Explored in Exciting New University Course

Kendrick Lamar, the king of rap, is currently on his Grand National tour in Europe with SZA. Today, they land in Paris before heading to the UK, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Fans who missed out on the US leg of the tour have something exciting to look forward to: a university course centered around Kendrick Lamar.

Starting in Fall 2025, Temple University in Philadelphia will launch a course titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City.” This name pays homage to Lamar’s albums, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” and “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.” Timothy Welbeck, a professor in the Department of Africology and African American Studies, will teach the course. He previously taught classes on the works of Tupac Shakur, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z.

Welbeck highlights Lamar’s influence, stating, “He is one of the defining voices of his generation.” He believes that Lamar’s journey mirrors broader themes in the Black experience, focusing on self-discovery and societal challenges. He noted how Temple’s embrace of hip-hop in academia reflects a growing trend in education.

Interestingly, Lamar is not the only artist to inspire university courses. In the US, academics have explored the works of Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, European institutions have also taken notice. For example, the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in France announced popular seminars on Beyoncé that examine her as a cultural icon. The University of Ghent in Belgium recently offered a course based on Taylor Swift that connects her music to literary themes.

Despite being less common, European universities are slowly starting to integrate popular music into their curricula. Last year, Glasgow Clyde College in Scotland offered a course aiming to educate parents accompanying their kids to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “The Eras Tour.”

As Kendrick Lamar continues his tour, he and SZA will perform in Europe until August 9. After that, they will head to South America and Australia, wrapping up their tour on December 10. Lamar’s latest album, ‘GNX’, has been well-received, noted for its straightforward approach compared to some of his previous work. Critics praised its blend of catchy hooks and deeper lyrical themes.

As hip-hop makes its way into classrooms, it’s clear that artists like Kendrick Lamar are shaping not just music but also education and cultural discussion.

For more on educational courses focused on music and popular culture, check out this report from NBC10.

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university,Black Culture,Rap Music,United States ,Music,Europe