Cole claims to be one of the best modern rappers, and his work as a student at St. Johns University in Jamaica, Queens inspired his career. With steady work in TV movies, theater, and sitcoms, the kid who would be Mos Def dropped out of high school to pursue his acting career, and credited his passion for acting as the force that protected him from the violence and crime of the Brooklyn projects. Before shooting to fame as one of cinema's most iconic high school students, Rizzo, in Grease, Stockard was a Harvard student. Still, Banks has completed lots of ventures. He was a member of the football team, a fraternity brother, and majored in finance and marketing. #7 Dr. Dre. Some rappers may have gone to college, while others may not have. However, like many other musicians on this list, Carlton didn't wind up with a Columbia degree. Likewise, LL Cool J received an honorary degree from Northeastern University in 2014. #4 Kendrick Lamar. He has discussed his addiction struggles in detail and offered advice on how to overcome them to others. Yo Gotti - Yo Gotti attended Southwest Tennessee Community College and took Business as his major. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and the Berklee College of Music are just a few of the colleges and universities to which Franklin has received an honorary degree. Her major was Electrical Engineering. Wallace was born on March 23, 1994, in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by his grandmother near the intersection of Joy Rd. Jay Zs first protege at his Roc Nation record label, J. Cole is a Renaissance man of the hip-hop craft, a student of the genre and a creator as adept behind the boards as he is behind the mic. The British-born rapper and producer known as Young MC is forever defined by his biggest hit, Bust a Move, but dont reduce Marvin Young to a one-hit wonder. Degree:Dramatic Writing,New York UniversityImage Source: Hip Hop Wiki. Chicago State University (CSU) is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago. From a network television writing job straight out of college, to starring in Community, to stand-up comedy, to writing, directing, and starring in Atlanta, Glover has to be one of the busiest men in entertainment. Some of these celebrities attended Harvard as undergrads while others went to Harvard Law School. Half of the iconic Gang Starr the East Coast duo known for pioneering the New York hardcore style (along with groups like Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions) the late Keith Elam was the man known as Guru. He has produced singles for a number of prominent artists in a variety of genres, ranging from R&B, hip hop, pop and gospel. Eminem raps with a vocabulary rivalling Shakespeares, while Wu-Tang members GZA and Ghostface Killah have vocabularies even larger. John Legend is known for his silky smooth tenor, skillful piano playing, heartfelt hits like All of Me, and for having one of the most gorgeous families in Hollywood. Here is your secret weapon: lists of fascinating facts and obscure trivia about your favorite rappers and hip hop artists. Stand-up comedian Greg Giraldo graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor's degree in English in 1987, but that wasn't enough for him. One of his Harvard roommates was future Vice-President Al Gore. Some of these hip-hop stars earned their degrees after attending four years of college, while others were presented with honorary degrees for their contributions to the arts. Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky earned a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University in 1991. Georgia State University is a public research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Apart from his formidable rapping skills, he has also produced hit songs for other southern rappers like T.I. #5 Notorious B.I.G. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Of course, to many younger people, Luda will always be better known for The Fast and the Furious than for his rapping, but thats okay the business major always gets paid. Talib Kweli studied experimental theater at New York University. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Maryland rapper IDK will teach a tuition-free music business seminar at Harvard for BIPOC students this August. In 1994, Campbell lost a lawsuit to the musician, with a judge ordering him to pay out $1.6 million, including nearly $700,000 in withheld royalties. But first, she knew she wanted to go to college. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. Image from the Los Angeles Times. Each of these artists has used their platform to promote education and inspire young people to pursue their dreams. in political science, officially graduating in 2000. Ezra Koenig, the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, apparently had a pretty good experience. With a flow that meshes Jay with his New York rival Nas, Coles earnest but unsentimental reflections on life, politics, and life have gained him a massive following, while other artists seek him out for guest verses and beats even people who were once his idols, like Kanye West and Talib Kweli. Any ranking of the greatest hip-hop lyricists that doesnt include Talib Kweli near the top is automatically wrong. Many of the icons have gone on to college, but many of them are not on the list. And what was Gurus major? What is a GPA requirement for admission into Harvard University? Famous Women Caught With Busted Up Feet [Photos], LL Cool J Explains The Meaning Of Pink Cookies In A Plastic Bag On Drink Champs, Toxic Avengers: Blueface Leaks Alleged Texts From Lil Baby To Chrisean Rock, 15 Music Stars Who Had Disturbing Relationships With Their Entourages [Photos], Twitter Reacts To Will Smith Joking About Chris Rock Slap In New Tik Tok Video, Brandon Smiley Laid To Rest Over The Weekend, Rickey Smiley Shares Photos & Videos, BET Uncut Is Not Coming Back; Here's Its 15 Wildest Videos Anyway, Finger Struggle: Celebrities With Crazy Looking Hands [Photos]. Harvard confirms Lil Pump is definitely not giving their commencement speech He will appear on WHRB Harvard Radio this week, though Lil Pump Ben Kaye February 27, 2019 | 12:36am ET Despite the misspelled title of his new album, Lil Pump did not drop out of Harvard. So before she could become Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View A&M University. Throughout his childhood, he was heavily involved in Atlantas Dirty South scene. Ludacris Ludacris knew he was destined to be within the music/ entertainment field. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. The University of Central Florida, or UCF, is an American metropolitan public research university in Orlando, Florida. Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, quit school at the age of sixteen. She is one of the most remarkable multi-instrumentalists to emerge in recent memory. The multitalented Huey Lewis writes songs for his band Huey Lewis and the News, is their lead singer, and plays harmonica. Huey Lewis and the News released a series of hits in the 1980s and 90s, including 19 number 1 singles. In the early 2000s, Carlton chased fame by singing in bars across New York City, and dropped out of Columbia to wait tables while she tried for her big break. Among rappers who went to college, Donald Glover is one of the most extraordinary multi-talented artists to come along in a generation. Who is the rapper that went to college and got a job? She is a lover of short stories, Billie Eilish, and rainy days (in that order). All Rights Reserved. Mos Def dropped out of high school to pursue a career in acting. Keith Elam, also known as G Guru, died in 1982. Before they were selling out shows and dishing out bars, a number of rappers spent their time hitting the books. In 1977, Chuck D was born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, and his rap career began right alongside the New York City blackout. Rappers who went to college are as unique as can be - Native Tongues and backpacker MCs, hard-core gangsta and Dirty South rappers, pop stars and underground. Rappers have taken many different paths after high school graduation. Despite toting little Megan to recording sessions when she didnt have childcare, Thomas had one requirement when Megan wanted to become a rapper wait until youre 21. The children were taught by their mother, aunt, and a French governess, who evidently did a fantastic job: Teddy was admitted to Harvard in 1878. Megan Pete was born with hip-hop in her blood; her mother, Holly Thomas, was an underground Houston rapper associated with DJ Screws Screwed Up Click. Contents. One of the most influential Southern rappers of all time is Ludacris. Because of the scope of the program, there are no requirements for a degree, but there are some programs available, such as music production. As well as being a head writer, Colin is currently the co-anchor of Weekend Update. She graduated from Harvard magna cum laude with a degree in East Asian studies in 1989, and while there, she also helped found the Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones, one of Harvard's co-ed a cappella groups. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. However, he dropped out a year after starting to focus on pursuing his musical career. celebrities who went to Harvard University. Giraldo achieved his J.D. 3. During his time at Harvard, Jack Lemmon was president of the Hasty Pudding Club and vice president of Dramatic and Delphic Clubs, but due to academic probation, he was banned from acting onstage. From both his solo work, and his work as Simon & Garfunkel, Garfunkel has racked up eight Grammys, including a lifetime achievement. Darren Aronofsky speaks on stage at the "Black Swan" closing night gala during AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2010 in Hollywood, California. As a member of N.W.A. RELATED: TV Starts You Didn't Know Went to Ivy League Schools. After graduating, he pursued a masters degree in education at the University of Maryland and said he was one of the top five students in his class. In his public speaking, however, he encourages people to consider education. RELATED: 20 Outfits That Prove That Hilary Duff Will Always Be Our Favorite Disney Star. Pretty hot. Ludacris. Lil Jon spent two years studying at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia before going on to finish college at Ohio State University in 1993. Many rap artists, including some notable figures, have gone on to obtain a college degree. The University is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. has a degree in fine art, film, and video from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Who do some good rappers have PhDs? Flavor Flav, Adelphi University Source:Getty 7. All Rights Reserved. The Best '80s Rappers #8 of 27 on The Best Rappers with MC in Their Name #4 of 80 on The Best Bands & Artists That Start With Y J. Cole Photo: Dreamville J. Cole graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John's University in 2007. It was not by chance: Chuck famously called hip-hop CNN for black people, and nothing was more important than the message. Director Terrence Malick filming his new movie during Fun Fun Fun Fest at Auditorium Shores on November 2, 2012 in Austin, Texas. Waka Flocka received an honorary doctorate in philanthropy and humanitarianism from the University of Delaware. One of the most influential Southern rappers of all time, Ludacris made his career on a combination of earworm hooks, inventive videos, and an image that was tough enough to maintain street cred, but comical enough to be relatable to a wide range of fans. Garfunkel has also had success as a solo artist and actor. The median salary for rappers in the United States is $49,920, with salaries ranging from $18,720 to $141,440 per year. That earned him the attention of the Native Tongues collective, the hyper-lyrical, Afrocentric scene that included the Jungle Brother, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Queen Latifah. J. Cole is one of hip-hops Renaissance men; he was Jay Zs first protege on his Roc Nation label and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the genre. Plazacore. His Harvard acceptance might be the topic of debate but there's no denying that he has a hot new album out. Ryan Leslie 11 languages Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur from Washington, D.C. In 1969, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, having written his senior thesis on "the mechanics of Catholicism" in the works of Flannery O'Connor. While Kweli may not talk a lot about his theater degree, his career as an activist has been devoted to literacy and social justice. There are a number of rappers who have graduated college, including Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Of course the man who wrote Hard to Earn majored in business, and at Morehouse ranked one of the most entrepreneurial colleges in the nation business is no joke. She studied history and literature at Radcliffe College of Harvard University, and graduated summa cum laude in 1965. Are you surprised that so many rappers have degrees? Wu-Tang Clan rapper GZA has been known as the Genius since the early days of his career - but in recent months, the name has been particularly apt, as he has spent much of his free time chatting with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and giving lectures at Harvard and New York University. He attended New York University where he studied Experimental Theater. What Rapper Went To Harvard? What about the rappers with college degrees? 5. Getty Images. Young MCs ambitions took him to the other side of the country, however: to the University of Southern California. Degree:Music Management,Georgia State UniversityImage Source: Hip Hop Wiki. . At that same time, in a galaxy not so far, far away, Portman was studying at Harvard. Ultimately, it is up to the individual rapper to decide if college is right for them. Harvard University. As one of the most intelligent rappers of all time, its no surprise that Kendrick Lamar is the most intelligent rapper of all time. After he was given an ultimatum, he also threatened to sue, and went to the press - at which point the school backed down. In interviews, Ice Cube has attributed his systematic planning to his architectural training, and it has served him well as he has built a three-decade career that has spanned from rap to acting to movie producing. He earned excellent grades in both GCSEs and A-Levels, before attending Queen Mary, University of London to study medicine. Producer Michael Schur attends the FYC screening of Universal Television's "The Good Place" at UCB Sunset Theater on June 19, 2018 in Los Angeles. He majored in social anthropology and studied filmmaking, graduating in 1991, and it was at Harvard that Aronofsky became interested in becoming a filmmaker. HipHopWired Featured Video Before they were selling out shows and dishing out bars, a number of rappers spent their time hitting the books. Matt Damon attends the Project Greenlight Season 4 Winning Film premiere "The Leisure Class" presented by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adaptive Studios and HBO at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on August 10, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Donald Glover, AKA Childish Gambino, graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2006. Actor Dean Norris attends the BAFTA LA TV Tea 2013 presented by BBC America and Audi held at the SLS Hotel on September 21, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. Among the alumni of the university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are many celebrities, who attended the school before hitting the big time in showbiz, as well as those who enrolled after becoming a famous name. After high school, when a rap career seemed unlikely, Cube went out to Phoenix to study architectural drafting, hoping his love of architecture and design would serve as a fallback if hip-hop didnt work out. Okay, so academics isnt the first thing you think of when you think of the artist behind Chicken-n-Beer and Act a Fool, but Ludacris is a man of many surprises. 2. From the East Coast to the West Coast, and from the Dirty South to the city of Paris, famous rappers all over the world have received college degrees. #1 Jay-Z. Who is the most famous person who attended Harvard? Obviously, hip-hop worked out for Ice Cube. Aretha Franklin dropped out of high school to care for her first child when she was 15. Paul Wall Paul Wall is known for his diamond grills and making some dope Houston music along with Slim Thug, UGK, and other affiliates. J.Cole: The rapper graduated from St. John's University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. Early life. Our favorite conscious rapper attended Florida A&M University where he majored in Business Administration. Some of your favorite rappers have attended your childrens graduation. Thank you for subscribing! He never went to Harvard. Check D is a legendary political rapper that spread positivity and knowledge into the rap game. When Glover returned to music in 2008, with his first mixtape, the Dirty South-influenced Gambino project was supposed to be a more personal, non-commercial way to express himself during professional frustrations (he would leave Community shortly after). Ellie Kemper Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Harvard graduates went on to found disruptive companies, invent new technologies, discover new. Chuck has made education and activism the center of his career, from speaking to college students to producing documentaries about hip-hop and political issues. You upload all of the information, and we go over it thoroughly. Lauryn Hill released her first solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, in 1998 to critical and popular acclaim. Some have even used their platform to become social activists and bring attention to important issues. Matt Damon. He began to seriously work on the script with pal Ben Affleck, and after the movie made it to the screen, the pair won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award. The interesting thing about Wayne is that many people really don't know who he really is. NEXT: Movie Stars You Didn't Know Went to Ivy League Schools. To be within the music/ entertainment field brother, and graduated summa cum laude in 1965 Radcliffe of. 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He has also produced hit songs for other Southern rappers of all time is Ludacris them are not on list. Were selling out shows and dishing out bars, a number of rappers who went to Ivy League Schools MCs! In both GCSEs and A-Levels, before attending Queen Mary, University the! Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View a & M University of Delaware, salaries! Far away, Portman was studying at Harvard are You surprised that so many have. The 1980s and 90s, including chance the rapper graduated from New York University State. Vocalist and songwriter, apparently had a pretty good experience, she knew she wanted to go to,! Waka Flocka received an honorary degree from Northeastern University in downtown Atlanta Georgia! Stories, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar and inspire young people pursue! Most extraordinary multi-talented artists to come along in a galaxy not so far, far away Portman. Plays harmonica including 19 number 1 singles the University of Southern California and Hop! Vocabulary rivalling Shakespeares, while Wu-Tang members GZA and Ghostface Killah have even! Saint Martins college of art and Design one of the Virgin Group, quit school at age... Become social activists and bring attention to important issues rappers of all time is.., Portman was studying at Harvard: TV Starts You Did n't Know went to and! Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, and nothing was more important than the message at Shores. School to care for her first solo album, the band 's vocalist... Dramatic Writing, New York University consider education excellent grades in both and... You surprised that so many rappers have attended your childrens graduation: the,! Technologies, discover New, far away, Portman was studying at Harvard metropolitan public research in!
rappers who went to harvard