On Jan. 1, American rapper and record producer Lupe Fiasco announced on Instagram that he will join the Peabody Institute’s faculty as a Distinguished Visiting Professor for the new Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program. This new initiative from Peabody, starting in fall 2025, will include the first undergraduate performing hip hop degree ever to be offered in the United States. Fiasco indicated that he will be focusing specifically on teaching rap within the program.
“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 @wendelpatrickofficialmusic,” the Grammy award-winning rapper and hip hop producer wrote.
The surprise announcement comes just two days before the newly extended application deadline of Jan. 3 for the four-year Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program, which will follow the “one-on-one studio model of a traditional conservatory education.” This one-on-one instruction model means that newly admitted students may have the chance to receive extensive instruction from Fiasco, one of the most celebrated lyricists of the genre.
The new department will be led by Wendel Patrick — an award-winning composer, producer, beatmaker, and the alter ego of classical pianist Kevin Gift. Patrick is also an associate professor for the Music Engineering & Technology department at Peabody, which will provide some resources for the Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program.
Fiasco stated in his post that he will continue his teaching position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his fellowship at Yale University during his tenure at Peabody. Like Patrick, 42-year-old Fiasco has shifted his focus to higher education in the late stage of his career, teaching his skill set to the next generation of rappers, beat-makers and producers.
The new undergraduate degree program at Peabody will include the study of “the cultural history and sociopolitical environment in which Hip Hop was born; developments in style, technique, and technology; and the genre’s rise in popularity and influence.” This historical overview will no doubt include Fiasco himself, whose critically acclaimed album Food & Liquor brought alternative hip hop into the 21st century. His discography, including projects like The Cool and Tetsuo & Youth, is considered a marvel of lyrical prowess and artistry. With this additional position, he has the opportunity to further cement his influence on the history of the genre.
“I’m honored to contribute to this legacy doing what I love most, Rap,“ the hip hop legend wrote. “See you soon Baltimore.”
