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Temple University will be launching a new college class in Fall 2025 titled "Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City." It will be instructed by Timothy Welbeck, professor in the Department of Africology and African American Studies. He is also the director of the university's Center for Anti-Racism.
This course explores the life and music of rapper Kendrick Lamar in relation to real-world issues. His lyrics, albums, and the cultural context of his hometown, Compton, California, will be studied. They will examine how Lamar's music represents social, economic, and political issues in the U.S.
This course is part of a growing trend in colleges that utilizes pop culture and music to educate students about history, race, and identity. It seeks to connect students' interests and lives to subjects traditionally taught through books and lectures.
Why is Kendrick Lamar being studied at a university?
Kendrick Lamar is more than just a rapper. Most view him as a narrator and voice of his generation. His work has earned prestigious awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for Music. He takes his platform to talk about real-life woes and aspirations. Reading his work will help students comprehend the intersection of race, class, and power in America.
It also demonstrates how teenagers use music to convey their opinions. For students from communities such as Lamar's, the course can be more personal. They relate what they do in class to their lives.
Temple University is trying to demonstrate that contemporary music can be as meaningful as old books or history class. By having Lamar's work taught in school, the university is stating that his voice and his music are deserving of serious study.
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What will students learn in this course?
The class will be centered on Kendrick Lamar's music and the meaning behind his songs. His lyrics will be read by the students just as they would read novels or poems in English class. They will learn how Lamar discusses poverty, violence, family, and hope.
His albums, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, will be instrumental in the class. Students will also examine how Lamar's music relates to broader issues in Black life and American society. For instance, they will analyze how his songs express urban life in Compton, where he was raised.
They will examine how city policies and economic systems impact individuals who reside in cities like Compton. The course teaches students how to think critically about music and culture.
It brings together multiple ideas from music theory, politics, sociology, and psychology. The idea is that students will be better equipped to understand how music addresses problems and solutions in the real world.
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"Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City" is more than a book about hip-hop. It represents an innovative approach to researching key issues, including race, identity, and community. Temple University is utilizing Kendrick Lamar's music to enable students to learn about their world.
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