Higher Education! 8 Smart Rappers Who Went To College
The North Carolina native’s ability to translate his work into gold stems from his days as an undergrad on academic scholarship at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens. The 2007 graduate got his degree in business, sacrificing the 9-to-5 for studio time whenever he wasn’t hitting the books. Choosing the city streets of New York over the his hometown Fayetteville, North Carolina, for the music scene, Cole always knew he would make it big in rap even in the classroom. He eventually headlined the University’s spring concert just four years after graduating his alma mater.
J.Cole Went To College
Diddy Went To College
Before he was making the bands and producing for Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs was getting his education on at Howard University. A major in business administration, the Harlem-born entrepreneur already had the drive to lead others, especially as the head of HU demonstrations against the lack of financial aid available. The former talent director at Uptown Records proceeded to launch Bad Boys Entertainment in 1993 and create some of rap’s most memorable tunes (“It’s All About the Benjamins,” “Bad Boy For Life”). Nowadays, he’s got his hands in dirty money, leading the crew of the same name comprised of Dawn Richards and Kalenna. This year, Forbes listed Diddy as one of hip-hop’s potential billionaires alongside Jay-Z and 50 Cent.
Lil Wayne Went To College
Before Weezy earned his young money, the Cash Money rapper majored in political science at the University of Houston in 2005. The former Hot Boy went to UH taking psychology classes and may have even sought financial aid. He eventually opted for online courses at the University of Phoenix due to his hectic schedule but it’s humbling to know the Young Money-CEO-to-be took an interest in getting schooled.
David Banner Went To College
A man of many talents, rap artist David Banner graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a business major. He dabbled in extracurricular activities and ran the student government association as president. Taking his stage name from The Incredible Hulk, David smashed his musical competition as a member of the rap duo Crooked Lettaz with Kamikaze. His first solo debut Mississippi: The Album that pays homage to his hometown included the hit single “Like A Pimp.”
Ludacris Went To College
Despite his name’s intentional misspelling, Luda, real name Christopher, had a gigawatt-bright college career, graduating summa cum laude at Georgia State University. The “Stand Up” rapper studied music management which allowed him to become the co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace Records with his manager. His daughter Karma has also inherited his love of learning by launching the site, Karma’s World, that merits an A in educational hip-hop for children.
M.I.A. Went To College
She may be known as M.I.A. from the rap scene but she was present in class, earning her degree in fine art, video and film at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. M.I.A. and her mother left her birthplace Sri Lanka as refugees to London during a period of Tamil turmoil, where she began her artistic career as a visual artist, filmmaker and designer before launching her career as a recording star in 2002. M.I.A.’s alma mater also boasts graduates Pierce Brosnan, Alexander McQueen and Sade.
Public Enemy Went To College
The rap group Public Enemy consisting of Chuck D and Flava Flav both have diplomas from Adelphi University in Long Island, New York. With a degree in graphic design. Chuck D (real name is Carlton Douglas Ridenhour) met fellow DJ Hank Shocklee at the student radio station WBAU. After Chuck spitt a few bars on Shocklee’s “Public Enemy No. 1,” the hip-hop unit was born and eventually signed by producer Rick Rubin of the upstart label at the time, Def Jam. The two mixed a collection of tracks together called the Super Spectrum Mix Show. Hosting his own show and putting his mixtapes on-air, Chuck D began hanging out with William Drayton, better known as Flava Flav, who became his comical counterpoint. Although both made their minimum wages as truck drivers while attending school, it was their musical connection on-campus that gave Public Enemy its start.
Ryan Leslie Went To College
Few can say they were a Harvard graduate at the age of 19 besides hit producer/rapper Ryan Leslie. (Not to mention accepted into Stanford and applied to Yale at the same age.) Juggling degrees of government and political science, R.Les also placed his intelligence into music, devoting hours to production in an on-campus studio. He was also part of the University’s male a capella group, the Krokodiloes, in 1996. (Peep picture here: http://www.kroks.com/alumni/alumsbyera/1990s). A money-maker since his undergrad career, Leslie would make money selling instruments to Boston locals. Despite being put on academic probation several times and getting close to 2 to 3 hours of sleep each night, the Next Selection hitmaker went on to produce beats for some of the biggest names in music including Kanye West and Britney Spears.
