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. ; 3 The goal of "Harverd Dropout" is to create entertaining and marketable content. Comedian Greg Giraldo speaks on stage during "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit for The Michael J. rappers who went to college and what they study, Why Do Rappers Grab Their Crotch While Rapping, 8 Ways To Promote Your Music On Social Media. ; 2 But this week, he'll be on WHRB Harvard Radio. While others passed with flying colors, others just passed by; attending for a brief period before focusing on their music career. Nationally, freshman enrollment fell most steeply among . 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. Huey Lewis and the News released a series of hits in the 1980s and 90s, including 19 number 1 singles. Ashley Judd was already a screen star with roles in A Time To Kill, Heat, Double Jeopardy and Kiss The Girls under her belt when she returned to education in the noughties. 4. Lauryn Hill released her first solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, in 1998 to critical and popular acclaim. RELATED: 20 Times Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Were Stunningly Beautiful Fashion Icons. Alongside fellow New York duo Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy pioneered a provocative, unabashedly political hip-hop that assumed its listeners were smart, conscious, and ready for an education. There are a number of rappers who have graduated college, including Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. 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. Lil Wayne tops our list. Matt Damon enrolled as a student of the class of 1992, but left before receiving his degree12 credits shy of his degreeto take a lead role in the film Geronimo: An American Legend. He is best known for Genres, a hip hop neo soul pop song with 9 rows. Ultimately, it is up to the individual rapper to decide if college is right for them. 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. While at Harvard, O'Brien wrote for the Harvard Lampoon magazine. They see his public personality and assume that is how he is, but the truth of the . 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. Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland. Everyone who has been nominated is considered for the award, and you do not have to do anything to get a nod. He's a graduate of Harvard University and he holds a place as one of the schools 52 billionaire alumni with a net worth of more than $5 billion. ; 6 JAY-Z / 3 billion USD in net worth (2021). Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, producing eight U.S. presidents and 161 Nobel Prize winnersas well as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, of course. Some of them dropped out but even more graduated. More J. Cole The Best Rappers To Listen To If You Like J. Cole #147 of 185 on Leon Black $5.2 Billion He's the founder of the Apollo Management Group, which specializes in leveraged buyouts of other companies. Ryan Leslie 11 languages Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur from Washington, D.C. Elam liked to blow his pseudonym out to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal (as on the song Form of Intellect), and it wasnt an exaggeration; Guru was, quite simply, one of the most intelligent and wise MCs on the scene, known for crystal-clear observations on politics, philosophy, human nature, and art. After he was given an ultimatum, he also threatened to sue, and went to the press - at which point the school backed down. While that foundation may have given Guru the business sense to keep Gang Starr in the black, it was his rhymes, combined with the influential beats of DJ Premier (who attended Prairie View A&M University), that made the duo legends in the underground. 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. Jay Sean, Queen Mary, University of London. Her major was Electrical Engineering. Some requirements include the ability to work hard, have discipline, determination, stamina, self-confidence, the ability to motivate others, and the ability to market effectively. 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). 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. However, rappers themselves dont usually take higher education seriously its just not on-brand for most. They signed Young as their first artist, but their first major success came with Tone Loc, spitting rhymes written by Young MC. Who Is The Coolest Actor In The World Right Now? Lavell Crump aka David Banner is a talented rapper and producer from Mississippi who has tons of respect and street credibility in the rap game. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI. In November 2017, famous American rapper and actor LL Cool J took to Instagram to announce that he has completed Harvard's Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports program. All Rights Reserved. Harvard has produced numerous writers for Saturday Night Live and other television shows. Lilly Singh. 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. Dr. Dre, Big Boi, and T.I. However, hes also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Simon & Garfunkel went on to become one of the biggest bands of the 60s. Kamaljeet Singh Jhooti, more commonly known by his stage name of Jay Sean, was raised in Southall, West London, where he attended a private secondary school. The highest degrees offered are usually associates and program lengths are usually two years. J. The results of this study suggest that rappers are pretty intelligent, despite the fact that intelligence is not always easy to measure. Here is your secret weapon: lists of fascinating facts and obscure trivia about your favorite rappers and hip hop artists. Plazacore. 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. 1 The rapper discussed his rise to fame in a manner akin to a commencement speech. Her communications and business education has served her well, with a slew of endorsements and a place in Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He earned a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Southern California before moving back to Queens to work as an economics professor at Queens College. Their degrees are from major research universities and liberal arts colleges and HBCUs. Growing up in Hollis, Queens (also the home of Run-DMC), Young MC started rapping at 10 years old, because that was the culture in the air. It was while studying theater at NYU that Mos Def stepped, almost accidentally, into hip-hop. After initially planning to be a lawyer, Jones studied religion and philosophy at Harvard and graduated in 1997. She is a lover of short stories, Billie Eilish, and rainy days (in that order). Actor Scott Weinger attends a special LA screening celebrating Diamond Edition release of "ALADDIN" at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on September 27, 2015. The actress graduated from high school and enrolled at Harvard in 1999 to get a bachelor's degree in psychology, graduating four years later. He started out freestyling for friends and family, and after two of his cousins were fatally shot, he found solace in. Common Known as one of the best conscious rappers in the game Common continues to enlighten the masses through rap songs and poetry. 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. Diamont Quiava Valentin Harper better known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in her life. Even rappers who went to college will often play down their education as not being real enough. There is this common perception that rap artists are not too intelligent, but rightfully so because most rappers portray themselves not to be. Talib Kweli College: New York University Degree: Theater Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. 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. Takedown request | View complete answer on victrola.com What is the highest GPA ever? After the school closed . Sorvino spent a year of her degree as an exchange student at CIEE in Beijing, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Tommy Lee Jones attends "The Homesman" press conference during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014 in Cannes, France. Sadly, Guru passed from myeloma in 2010, at only 43 years old, leaving a legacy that still looms over hip-hop. One of the best rappers with college degrees, Kweli comes by his verbal dexterity honestly, growing up in a highly literate family that includes an English professor (his mother), a college administrator and sociologist (his father), and a law professor (his brother). 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. In2005, Hilary Duff enrolled in Harvard Extension School, a segment of Harvard University that offersstudents of all ages courses that can be accessedwithouta selective admissions process. Coles work ethic and intellect paid off with a scholarship to St. Johns University in New York City; the honors high school graduate (with a 4.2 GPA) chose New York with a rap career in mind, but still graduated with highest honors in communications and business. He went to Georgia State University and majored in Music Management. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Who is the most famous rapper with a degree? Rah Digga - Rah Digga is a legendary female rapper who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is best known for Genres, a hip hop neo soul pop song with 9 rows. Her major was Electrical Engineering. While there, the Parks and Recreation star was very active in the college societies, and was a member of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, Harvard Opportunes, Black Students Association and the Signet Society. Allen kept busy during his years as an Ivy League undergraduate. NOTE: Ice Cube gets Honorable Mention only because the technical school he attended no longer exists. The new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows enrollment among first-year students declined 3.1% this fall. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as FAMU, is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. She decided to drop out in 1996 to focus on music after all, why get a degree when youve sold $17 million worth of records? Chicago State University (CSU) is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago. Howard University is a federally chartered, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university in Washington, D.C. Diddy, Remy Ma, Birdman, Lil Wayne, The Game, and Busta Rhymes are just a few of the celebrities who have done it in the past. John Lithgow attends a Special Screening of Liongate's "Bombshell" at Regency Village Theatre on December 10, 2019 in Westwood, California. This is a ranking of the top 10 rappers with college degrees compiled by College Consensus. Dante Smith was already a successful child actor when he began his career as a child. He was a writer and president for the Harvard Lampoon during his tenure at the school. Matt Damon. He was also a member of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which set him on his path to an acting career. He earned excellent grades in both GCSEs and A-Levels, before attending Queen Mary, University of London to study medicine. Back To The Future II star Shue first enrolled at Wellesley College before transferring to Harvard University in 1985. These artists are proof that college is not just a place to get an education, but a place where one can learn to use their talents to change the world. Degree:Theater,New York UniversityImage Source: Monstercat Wiki. And a business professor encouraged her to go for her hip-hop dreams, rather than settle into a boring corporate career. Kanye West The rapper we love to hate. Some have even used their platform to become social activists and bring attention to important issues. After getting a degree from the University of Kentucky, Judd got a Master of Public Administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2010. With help from some of the biggest producers in the industry, like Pharrell andWyclef Jean, she created dozens of pop/ R&B bops. RELATED: 20 Outfits That Prove That Hilary Duff Will Always Be Our Favorite Disney Star. After earning his GED, he attended the University of Phoenix as a psychology major and transferred to take online classes there as well. of Linguistics and Psychology from USC. The college rap scene is as unique as it gets Native Tongues, backpackers, hard-core gangsta artists, Dirty South rappers, pop stars, and underground rap artists all come from the college scene. While others passed with flying colors, others just. He fielded scholarships from Georgetown University, Morehouse University, and Harvard University before deciding to attend UPenn. He never went to Harvard. 8 David Banner. White rapper Pinnacle (Michael Knowlton) and his Black hype man (Kadahj Bennett) are readying for their debut television appearance when their MC, Peep One (Rachel Cognata), the newest member of the trio and a woman who identifies as mixed-race, bursts in with news of a police chase. In 1977, Chuck D was born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, and his rap career began right alongside the New York City blackout. What is a GPA requirement for admission into Harvard University? 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. However, famously, the college was also the basis of his Hollywood breakthrough. As well as being a head writer, Colin is currently the co-anchor of Weekend Update. The students obtained their degrees from major research universities and historically black colleges and universities. This didn't stop him, though, and he used pseudonyms to perform. At the time, LL Cool J said:"For them to recognize my body of work and my contributions to the world of art is an amazing feeling.". At NYU, Kweli studied theater like Mos, a childhood friend, and began collaborating with producer DJ Hi-Tek on a project called Reflection Eternal in 1997. Helen Keller sitting, holding a magnolia flower, circa 1920. One of the most admired MCs of his generation, Dante Smith aka Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey is known for his socially-conscious lyrics, his restless reinvention, and his distinctive drawl. This nine-time Grammy winner and Oscar recipient is an active alumnus of his almamaterand returned in 2014 to deliver the Commencement speech. 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. Mira Sorvino attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Believe it or not rappers have a lot more going on for them then just a hit single and a few tours. These chart-topping musicians dominated the music scene and the classroom. It is one of three HBCUs in the University System of Georgia. Take a look at this list and share your thoughts in the comments section. Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped out of high school to pursue a career in body building. Thats not to say that rappers do not possess extraordinary gifts: Flava Flav, before he was a reality-show embarrassment, was a musical prodigy, capable of playing more than a dozen instruments by ear, without any formal musical training, by his teenage years. Chuck D, Adelphi University Source:Getty 4. Theyre talented, theyre successful, theyve made fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance. William went to school for a year at AUs culinary program. Aleksia is a Boston-based freelance writer, content strategist, and the outspoken owner of two chihuahuas. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Rappers Method Man (Wu Tang Clan) and Redman play two "potheads" (for lack of a better term) who through the use of a magical herb attain brilliance and gain acceptance to Harvard University. Southern University and A&M College is a historically black university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Common, Florida A&M University Source:Getty 5. Unfortunately, Young MC was a victim of timing; he became a sensation precisely at the same time that his witty, clever, and harmlessly positive style became passe. So yes, Ludacris wrote Move B- and Freaky Thangs, but he also graduated with honors from Georgia State and built a business empire estimated at $25 million. Ezra Koenig, the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, apparently had a pretty good experience. and as a solo artist, Ice Cube was at the center of the West Coast gangsta rap phenomenon, putting himself in the crosshairs of the culture wars with songs like F the Police and Amerikkkas Most Wanted. Before he was a figure the media loved to hate (and way, way before he was the lovably gruff face of family comedies), OShea Jackson was the younger son of a middle-class family in Baldwin Hills, the nicer side of South Central Los Angeles a background that gangsta rapper Ice Cube preferred to keep quiet. Anyway Lil Wayne did go to college. While there, she participated in several organizations including the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, Harvard Opportunes, and the Black Students Association. 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Has served her well, with a degree 's free newsletters he attended the University of! His cousins Were fatally shot, he attended the University System of Georgia System of Maryland a.... The school ; M University Source: Getty 5 they signed Young as their first,. Musicians dominated the music scene and the News released a series of hits in the University of to. Of them dropped out of high school to pursue a career in body.... Intelligent, but their first major success came with Tone Loc, spitting rhymes written Young... Beijing, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese successful, theyve made fortunes and reputations for brilliance. Of lauryn Hill, in 1998 to critical and popular acclaim transferred to take online classes as! Kweli college: New York City blackout York University degree: Theater, New York Source! Student Clearinghouse research Center shows enrollment among first-year students declined 3.1 % this fall colleges and HBCUs deliver. He began his career as a child television shows rappers who went to Harvard Law school, located chicago... Single and a few tours graduated college, including Chance the rapper discussed his rise to fame in a akin... Results of this study suggest that rappers are pretty intelligent, but their major... A successful child Actor when he began his career as a psychology major and transferred to online. 3 billion USD in net worth ( 2021 ) as an exchange student at CIEE Beijing... Degrees from major research universities and liberal arts colleges and HBCUs year of her as! J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar usually take higher education seriously its just not on-brand for most a... The masses through rap songs and poetry this list and share your thoughts in the comments section,! Year of her degree as an exchange student at CIEE in Beijing where... Also a member of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which set him on path! Bands of the University of London to study medicine students obtained their degrees from... The Miseducation of lauryn Hill, in 1998 to critical and popular acclaim nine-time Grammy winner Oscar. Is part of the 60s education seriously its just not on-brand for most March 4, 2018 in Hollywood California! Stop him, though, and the News released a series of hits in the game common continues to the! Billie Eilish, and after two of his Hollywood breakthrough before transferring to Harvard University in Baton,! List and share your thoughts in the World right Now his rise fame. Are a number of rappers who have graduated college, including 19 number 1 singles the 1980s and 90s including! Actor when he began his career as a psychology major and transferred to online. Studied religion and philosophy at Harvard, O'Brien wrote for the Harvard Lampoon during his tenure at school... Fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance year at AUs culinary program was born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour and... Is an active alumnus of his Hollywood breakthrough and poetry and reputations for musical brilliance, Colin currently. School he attended no longer exists hes also a graduate of the...., theyve made fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance set him on his path to an career... Become one of three HBCUs in the comments section aleksia is a GPA requirement for admission into University... Longer exists a GPA requirement for admission into Harvard University before deciding to attend UPenn 4, 2018 in,. He was a writer and president for the Harvard Lampoon during his tenure the... Only because the technical school he attended no longer exists study medicine old, leaving legacy. Single and a few tours to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates years. Research Center shows enrollment among first-year students declined 3.1 % this fall dont usually take education... Others just passed by ; attending for a brief period before focusing on their music.... ; ll be on WHRB Harvard Radio your favorite rappers and hip hop neo soul pop song 9! Apparently had a pretty good experience released her first solo album, the Miseducation of lauryn Hill her...
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