Kendrick Lamar Heads to the Classroom as Temple University Introduces Course on His Work
American rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to make academic history as Temple University prepares to offer a full university course exploring his music and influence.
The course, titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City,” is scheduled to launch in Fall 2025 and will be open to all students. It is named after Lamar’s critically acclaimed albums Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
The class will be taught by Professor Timothy Welbeck, head of the university’s Centre for Anti-Racism and lecturer in Africology and African American Studies. Welbeck has previously offered courses analysing the works of Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé.
“Kendrick Lamar is one of the defining voices of his generation. His journey toward self-actualisation mirrors the broader Black experience in deeply resonant ways,” said Prof. Welbeck.
The new course places Lamar alongside a growing list of major artists whose work has become the subject of university-level study. Other U.S. colleges have introduced courses on Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Beyoncé.
In Europe, the trend is also taking root. France’s École Normale Supérieure offered a seminar titled “Beyoncé: Nuances of a Cultural Icon”, while the University of Ghent in Belgium launched a literature course focused on Taylor Swift in 2023. In Scotland, Glasgow Clyde College created a Swift-themed course to help parents better connect with their children.
Kendrick Lamar is currently on the Grand National Tour alongside SZA, with performances lined up across Paris, the UK, Spain, Italy, and Poland, before wrapping up in Australia in December.
His latest album, GNX, released in 2024, has been widely acclaimed for blending cinematic storytelling with lyrical sharpness, signalling a return to his signature style while maintaining broad accessibility.
As Lamar continues to influence global music and culture, Temple University’s course highlights his evolution from rap icon to a respected figure in scholarly and social circles.
