Professor Michael Eric Dyson Calls Jay-Z 'An Icon Of American Excellence'

Professor Eric Michael Dyson may be academia's biggest Jay-Z fan.

His course at Georgetown University, “Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z," has been both looked down upon and praised by his peers. He recently spoke to the Sun Times in Chicago on what Jay-Z represents to American culture.

“It just happens to have an interesting object of engagement in Jay-Z — and what better way to meet people where they are?” Dyson said. “It’s like Jesus talking to the woman at the well. You ask for a drink of water, then you get into some theological discussions. I think he’s an icon of American excellence,” Dyson said. “You’re doing the class there,” Dyson says Jay-Z told him. “I’m doing kind of the master class while I’m in concert.”

“I think he’s an icon of American excellence,” Dyson said.

Dyson previously taught classes on Tupac Shakur and Marvin Gaye at the University of Pennsylvania.