Kendrick Lamar Inspires New Course At Temple University
Temple University is launching an innovative course this fall that delves into the lyrical genius and cultural heritage of award winning rapper Kendrick Lamar. The interdisciplinary class—offered through the Department of Education—will examine Lamar’s work as both a literary and social study, continuing Temple’s growing focus on hip‑hop scholarship.
Titled “It’s Bigger Than Hip‑hop: Exploring the Evolution of Race and Identity through Hip‑hop,” the three-credit course uses Lamar’s albums as primary texts to spark discussions around race, identity, systemic oppression, and the evolving role of hip‑hop in American culture. Students will analyze stand‑out tracks like “Alright” from To Pimp a Butterfly—a song dissected in prior academic research illustrating its layered political messaging —alongside deep cuts such as “Mortal Man,” which references figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to interrogate the ties between music, memory, and protest.
Beyond textual analysis, the class encourages critical listening and contextual study: exploring how Lamar weaves jazz, funk, and African American musical traditions into modern consciousness‑raising art. It also builds on Temple’s existing hip‑hop minor, which highlights dance, culture, and social history.
Faculty hope this course equips students to engage thoughtfully with Lamar’s artistry and the broader societal issues it reflects. By focusing on themes like racial inequality, identity formation, and resistance, the class aims to foster analytical skills and cultural literacy in new generations.
This expansion of hip‑hop studies at Temple reflects a larger academic trend: recognizing contemporary music not just as entertainment, but as a powerful lens for understanding modern identity, history, and community. With Kendrick Lamar at its center, Temple’s latest offering promises to be a compelling intellectual journey.
