Waka Flocka has just been given an honorary doctorate degree in philanthropy and humanitarianism. After watching bad comedians perform in New York he would think to himself I could do better than that, and he did. Kennedy, often called JFK for short, graduated from Harvard in 1940, and went on to become the 35 th President of the United States. After appearing in eight movies, writing three books, and producing his own TV show, it seems Martin can rest easy about his decision to drop out of law school. While Kweli may not talk a lot about his theater degree, his career as an activist has been devoted to literacy and social justice. Who are the rappers that went to Harvard? Oh, and dont forget Childish Gambino, his hip-hop alter-ego. Conans career spans the entire entertainmentindustry, and some of the funniest shows of the 20th century, but it all started writing wacky magazine articles in college. The rapper, now holding a Dr. to his name, has joined a list of other artists who have also received doctorates Kanye West, who received his from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; P. Phoenix Institute of Technology He described his experience at Harvard as "life-altering . J. Cole graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John's University in 2007. He never went to Harvard. After school, she moved to New York to focus on her comedy and acting career. In the process, she alsodrew some ire andcondescensionfrom members of Harvard College. Degree: Radio Communications and Business. Not a smooth-talking comic we all look up to, but a tortured clown trying to get through the day. Ludacris Ludacris knew he was destined to be within the music/ entertainment field. He began his career working as a playwright and anassociate artistic director of Steve Olsens West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar in Hells Kitchen in New York City. Chuck has made education and activism the center of his career, from speaking to college students to producing documentaries about hip-hop and political issues. 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. Cam'ron, Texas JUCO Source:Getty 3. Shortly after becoming a regular at To Catch A Rising Star Bill started getting spots on the Tonight Show. 81 on a full scholarship. M.I.A. Our favorite conscious rapper attended Florida A&M University where he majored in Business Administration. 47Image Source: Wikipedia. She then went on to attend the University of Oxford, where she studied at Worcester college towardsa graduate degree in English. And a business professor encouraged her to go for her hip-hop dreams, rather than settle into a boring corporate career. This column called Each One, Teach One aims to do exactly that. Any ranking of the greatest hip-hop lyricists that doesnt include Talib Kweli near the top is automatically wrong. 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. Here is your secret weapon: lists of fascinating facts and obscure trivia about your favorite rappers and hip hop artists. Taft High SchoolWashington Preparatory High School Hes a perfect example of what rappers with college degrees can do. After receiving the recognition, she shared her excitement on social media and encouraged her fans to create their own lanes. Starting at San Diego State University, Saweetie went out on a limb and gave herself a choice: jump into music full-time, or transfer to the University of Southern California. Government & Economics degree from Harvard University. 81Image Source: Hip Hop Wiki. One famous actor lived with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore while he attended Harvard. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as writers, intellectuals & academics, miscellaneous, media personalities and film & theater personalities etc. Huey Lewis and the News released a series of hits in the 1980s and 90s, including 19 number 1 singles. Tommy Munsdwell Canady was in middle school when he wrote his first rap lyrics. While Bun B has been providing wisdom at Rice Universitys School of the Humanities with Hip-Hop and Religion lessons since 2013, artists such as Beyonc, the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Kanye West and Master P have all found themselves at the center of courses that students can take at the collegiate level. Most people wouldnt have guessed that John would become a comedian. Despite the misspelled title of his new album, Lil Pump did not drop out of Harvard. That was Year Zero for Glovers career, when a spec script for The Simpsons got him a job in the writers room of 30 Rock. In 1992 Johnny Carson announced he would retire from late night television, leaving some huge shoes to fill. And it all started at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts, where Glover studied Dramatic Writing, graduating in 2006. 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. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as writers, singers, musicians, intellectuals & academics and film . Alicia Keys was signedby Columbia Records at only 15 years old. Comedian Jeff Ross described Gregs brain as a machine thats always producing good ideas. His presence in the comedy world even validated the idea of being a comedian to other comedians according to Jeff Ross who said, if this Harvard lawyer wants to be one of us maybe were doing something right!. 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. The University of Alabama is a public research university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States, and the flagship of the University of Alabama System. Now the multitalented and super-smart Alicia Keys is a 15-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, an accomplished actress, a NY Times best-selling author, and an entrepreneur. 5. As a member of N.W.A. Unrivaled Mac notes apps for fuss-free note-taking, 6 Actionable Tips for Improving Your Websites SEO, Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. When NBC chose Jay Leno over David Letterman, a spot was open for a host of late night talk show that would compete with Leno. tried their hand at arts-focused schools. Helen Keller, 1880-1968. He started out freestyling for friends and family, and after two of his cousins were fatally shot, he found solace in. New York University is a private nonprofit research university based in New York City. Before that, though, Ludacris was studying music management at Atlantas Georgia State University, getting his foot in the door as an intern at Hot 97.5, and even DJing at Freaknik. College: Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Rick Ross attended school at Albany university where he majored in Criminal Justice. 2 Chainz attended Alabama State University on a basketball scholarship and played on their team from 1995 to 1997. Lauryn Hill released her first solo album, At Columbia, Hill took classicalmusiccourses, and was on her way to, TheSalutatorian of his high school, Legend had his pick of universities to attend. Simon & Garfunkel went on to become one of the biggest bands of the 60s. John represents a new wave of comedic talent from Yale University He attended the Academy at the same time as actor . Eventually Lisa grew tired of reporting on celebrities and chose to become one instead. It's not cool to be smart in today's FAWK SKOOL society but many of your favorite rappers were college students before dropping out like Kanye to chase their dreams. Donald Glover graduated in 2006 and went on to land his first network television job straight out of college. 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. His comedy put more attention on the trivial nuances of our day to day plight. 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Twelve years later he ended up writing and starring in the most popular sitcom of all the time and would go on to be number one on Forbess list of the worldshighest paid comedians. Whitneys mother was an alcoholic who wasnt very involved in her life and she often found herself walking long distances from school because her mother was too drunk to pick her up. Kanye West The rapper we love to hate. Her major was Electrical Engineering. John has even performed at a TED conference, as well as for the president of the United States. 2 Chainz, University of Alabama State Source:Getty 2. 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. In interviews, Ice Cube has attributed his systematic planning to his architectural training, and it has served him well as he has built a three-decade career that has spanned from rap to acting to movie producing. It was in college that Jerry started using his communications skills to put together iconic routines at open mic nights at a New York comedy club called To Catch A Rising Star. He is now a successful Grime artist as part of rap group. " He even posted a picture of himself with his classmates and his Professor, Clay Christensen. in international affairs from Harvard University. (got a business AA/dropped out during radio communication) Ice Cube, Phoenix Institute of Technology (architecture degree) Ludacris, Georgia State University (radio communications degree) Stat Quo, University of Florida (business degree) David Banner, Southern University (poly sci/journalism degrees) Conan used his tall, lanky, awkward presence to his advantage, regularly making self-depreciating jokes at his own expense. He graduated and got a job as a Correctional Officer. J. Cole Before he became on of Roc Nations leading rappers he attended and graduated graduating Queens St. Johns University with honors. NOTE: Ice Cube gets Honorable Mention only because the technical school he attended no longer exists. 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. Are you the "hip hop expert" on your trivia team? Howard University is a federally chartered, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university in Washington, D.C. Daveywavey Daveywavey went to Seton Hall University in New Jersey, a Roman Catholic university - as an openly gay man. After years of grinding it out in New York City, he was featured on the Comedy Central showcase Premium Blend. Answer (1 of 20): Offering a few lesser known but cool artists that attended or graduated from Ivies. Giraldos style consisted of bringing a lot of surreal and intelligent observations to the stage. RELATED: 20 Times Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Were Stunningly Beautiful Fashion Icons. From Natalie Portman to Tommy Lee Jones keep on scrolling to find out which celebrities went to Harvard. Lauryn Hill released her first solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, in 1998 to critical and popular acclaim. He attended New York University where he studied Experimental Theater. It was not by chance: Chuck famously called hip-hop CNN for black people, and nothing was more important than the message. Unlike most comedians, Martin didnt have a secret burning desire to be a comic from a young age. Few can say they were a Harvard graduate at the age of 19 besides hit producer/rapper Ryan Leslie. Who is the most famous rapper with a degree? Jerry Seinfeld is most likely the most successful communications major in this country. Young MC earned a degree in economics from the University of Southern California. John Hodgman graduated from Yale University The Harvard Lampoon is a resume marker for many male comedians and writers, including B.J. Forming a duo with fellow theater student Talib Kweli, Mos Def released one game-changing record as Black Star before starting a solo career defined by lyrical excellence, political activism, and a fearless commitment to his art whether its rap, acting, or whatever Yasiin Bey decides to do next. He majored in psychology. Rah Digga Rah Digga is a legendary female rapper who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. Jay-Z went on to become hip-hop's first billionaire in June 2019; per Forbes, he's currently worth about $1 billion. Shonda Rhimes- Dartmouth Source:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP 7. Yes, some rappers have attended Harvard. Here are some of Harvard University's most famous graduates. Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland. has a degree in fine art, film, and video from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Harvard University Although Damon dropped out of Harvard in 1992, his time there wasn't a total waste. How do you list leadership positions on a resume? Stardom took a while, though, and while he was perfecting his craft, Chuck earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Adelphi University, where he met fellow student William Drayton. He was known for pioneering "post-emo revival" music, combining rock and hip-hop, which quickly earned him a loyal following after his career started on SoundCloud. He attended Alabama State university where he ended up playing a full season of Division I basketball. With smart business sense, Luda also broke numerous younger Southern rappers, such as 2 Chainz, using his Disturbing tha Peace record label as a major front for the genre. Albany State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Albany, Georgia, United States. The one hitch that stopped her from singer stardom? Jerry Seinfeld, besides being one of the most successful comedians of all time, is also one of the most influential in the world of stand up. From Kanye to Kweli, check out 10 rappers who were the head of the class below. He later went on to pursue a masters in education, but went on to shift his focus to his music career. Melissa Ordway. Natalie Portman tops this list. Even cooler? Education: Bachelor's in Government (concentration in Political Science and Macroeconomics) from Harvard College. As his music was blowing up he quit his job to pursue rap full-time. Born to a Filipina-Chinese mother and an African-American father, Saweetie grew up in Sacramento, CA, surrounded by the sounds of West Coast hip-hop. 81Image Source: Monstercat Wiki. Since then, he has become one of the most well-rounded creatives in the business by excelling in music and entertainment. Applications for IDK's No Label Academy went live in June. His dedication to the arts remains intact, even raising speculation on Twitter after a series of tweets alluded to him wanting to try his hand at teaching in the near future. Talib Kweli grew up in a family that includes an English professor (his mom), a college administrator and sociologist (his dad) and a law professor (his brother), which helped inspire him to explore his own talents early on. The hip hop recording artist and social activist attended Cheshire Academy, a coed boarding and day school in Cheshire, Connecticut. Flavor Flav, Adelphi University Source:Getty 7. of Linguistics and Psychology from USC. His sitcom didnt have any heartwarming moments or life lessons, it just provided people an outlet to laugh at the awkward scenarios that we encounter on a day to day basis. Meanwhile, hip-hop has become a serious field of academic study consider producer 9th Wonders residency atNorth Carolina Central University, or theHarvard University As Childish (from an online Wu-Tang name generator), Glover has been one of the most prolific hip-hop artists in the business, and thats on something that is essentially a side project. Place of Birth: Washington D.C., United States. Ice Cube, byname of OShea Jackson, Sr., (born June 15, 1969, Los Angeles, California, U.S.), American rapper and actor whose membership in the seminal gangsta rap group N.W.A gained him acclaim and launched his controversial but successful solo career. Demetri Martin graduated from Yale University Several famous actors, musicians and politicians attended Harvard University. Her communications and business education has served her well, with a slew of endorsements and a place in Forbes 30 Under 30 list. This list contains information about celebrities who went to Harvard University, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Real Name: Anthony Ryan Leslie. What is the name of Harvard's Hip Hop fellowship? And what was Gurus major? John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected President and the youngest to die. For those who do embrace earning a degree, the road is not an easy one, but getting to the other side can be a feeling of accomplishment unlike any other. She went on to do a graduate program at Harvard University He roomed with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore as an upperclassman. He was a writer and president for the Harvard Lampoon during his tenure at the school. Like his mother he majored in English. However the teenage rapper addressed the rumours on Twitter, writing: "I really did drop out of Harvard to save the rap game". According to Tyra Banks, she just didn't have the vocal chops to pull it off. Van Jones Cooked On Twitter For Caping For Sad Defendant Donald Trump, Again, Famous Women Caught With Busted Up Feet [Photos]. Before the songstress and rapper was making hits and setting industry standards, Hill was a Columbia undergraduate. One of the most politically outspoken hip-hop MCs of all time, Chuck D has spent more than three decades courting controversy and demanding justice as the leader of Public Enemy. For some, that gusto was found within the walls of a classroom, helping propel one path, purpose, and of course, education to the next level. In this . There is this common perception that rap artists are not too intelligent, but rightfully so because most rappers portray themselves not to be. He attended the University of Houston and majored in Business. Next steps: Read the manual Whitneys mark on show business definitely earns her a rightful place at the famous alumni table. Duff took onlineclassesfromdepartmentssuch as environmental science, government, and sociology. In 2003, Demetri began writing for Late Night with Conan OBrien, and a year later got his own Comedy Central Presents special. 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. Here's a quick look at 21 rappers who attended college. 55 with a bachelors degree in communicationsand drama. Talib Kweli studied experimental theater at New York University. February 27, 2019 | 12:36am ET. Jerry Seinfeld graduated from Queens College, CUNY David Banner, Southern University Source:Getty 6. Rah Digga - Rah Digga is a legendary female rapper who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. Hell, the 18-year-old never even went to any college, since he never finished high school. Here are ten rappers who graduated from college. Aleksia is a Boston-based freelance writer, content strategist, and the outspoken owner of two chihuahuas. The young rapper's new self-titled album, Lil Pump, is ready for streaming on iTunes and features rappers Smokepurpp, Rick Ross, Chief Keef, 2 Chainz, and Gucci Mane. 83 and Syracuse University Whether you agree or disagree with his views, you have to admit that Bill Maher is a hardworking, talented man who worked hard to secure his place in the collective media psyche as one the most influential talk show hosts of all time. 1. Ryan Leslie, also known asCastor Troy, was born on September 25, 1978 in Washington D.C., and is a Harvard University (BS) graduate. Diamont Quiava Valentin Harper better known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in her life. God knows what rappers have college degrees are capable of! Even rappers who went to college will often play down their education as not being real enough. As he saw more of his friends get killed or go to jail, Cube became determined to create a better life for himself. His first stand up performances were done at the theater to warm up crowds before plays. And 2022 will find her back at USC, this time as a guest lecturer in the entrepreneurship department! Lisa Lampanelli studied journalism at both Boston College 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? Her work ethic continued to show in 2011 when she got two sitcoms picked up by broadcast networks and was an executive producer on both shows. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991. Donald Glover, AKA Childish Gambino, graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2006. Some of these celebrities attended Harvard as undergrads while others went to Harvard Law School. As exemplified in his first three albums, he famously dropped out of Chicago State University and went on to explore an education of his own making. Some social media users criticized and attacked Jazz for getting into Harvard because they think that she's not competent enough to be . Heres a list of comedians who could have been anything they wanted but realized making people laugh was all they wanted. 93 in 2002 with a bachelors degree in English. She started performing stand up in the 1990s. The list includes people like Taraji P. Henson, Sean Combs, Chadwick Boseman, Thurgood Marshall & Phylicia Rashad. Your email address will not be published. In 2018, Chance the Rapper was awarded with an honorary doctorate from Dillard University. Ezra Koenig, the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, apparently had a pretty good experience. 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. Image from the Los Angeles Times. Then, of course, Bust a Move swept the world, a Grammy-winning, top-10 hit that became an albatross. Ludacris had a music management degree from Georgia Tech and graduated Summa Cum Laude Hub (from The Roots) has a music degree from Carnegie Mellon How's that for school spirit? 91 with a double major in English and History. More J. Cole The Best Rappers To Listen To If You Like J. Cole #148 of 185 on Two years later, the fresh-faced graduateswere named"The Year's Best Band" by Spin magazine and were gracing covers all over the United States. Degree:Architectural Drafting, Phoenix Institute of TechnologyImage Source: Rap Wiki, Most Affordable Technical and Trade Schools. As her multifaceted career shows, she definitely applied what she learned in school into her art, but in her own individual, unapologetic way. His comedy was definitelyinfluenced by his education. 75. In 2015, Kanye West was awarded an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. The actress graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. Angela Bassett- Yale University Source:Arnold Turner/Invision/AP 6. However, like many other musicians on this list, Carlton didn't wind up with a Columbia degree. The show has the same format as Politically Incorrect and it attracts the same level ofcontroversy. Alicia Keys was signedby Columbia Records at only 15 years old. With Drayton who called himself Flava Flav, and worked moving furniture for Chucks fathers business Chuck recorded a single called Public Enemy Number One. The rest is history. But there are no details about potential subjects, courses or .