Temple University Launches Kendrick Lamar Course Exploring Hip-Hop, Identity, and Social Change

Temple University is launching a new course this fall that will dive into the work and impact of Kendrick Lamar.

The class is called “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City,” and it will be taught by Professor Timothy Welbeck, who heads the Center for Anti-Racism and teaches in Africology and African American Studies.

Welbeck has been part of Temple’s faculty for 14 years, frequently using hip-hop and Black cultural themes in his lessons. His past courses have included studies on artists like 2Pac and discussions on urban Black politics and identity.

While Temple already offers classes about Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Pac, Welbeck points out that Kendrick Lamar stands out because of his powerful social and political relevance.

He told NBC10 that “Kendrick Lamar’s voice is one of the most important of his generation. His music and life reflect many layers of the Black experience.” Welbeck said the course aims to explore how Kendrick’s art connects to his personal growth and broader themes of self-realization within the Black community.

Though the new class is a fresh addition, Welbeck has been incorporating Kendrick’s work into other courses for nearly ten years, supported by Temple’s openness to hip-hop as a serious subject in academic settings.

Students will study three to four of Kendrick’s albums, analyzing how hip-hop has evolved as a form of storytelling and cultural expression. The course will also examine the history and policies that shaped Compton, Kendrick’s hometown, to better understand the environment that influenced his work.

The class will feature guest speakers, including music industry professionals who have collaborated with Kendrick. Enrollment is open now for the fall semester, but space is limited.

This course offers a unique opportunity for students to engage deeply with Kendrick’s contributions to music and culture, framing his work as a vital part of the ongoing conversation about Black identity and social change.