Johns Hopkins Launches Nation’s First Hip-Hop Bachelor’s Program with Lupe Fiasco as Visiting Professor

The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University is breaking new ground in music education with the launch of the nation’s first-ever Bachelor of Music in Hip-Hop, and Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco is joining the faculty as a visiting professor. Known for his intricate lyricism, socially conscious themes, and groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop, Fiasco will guide and inspire students in this innovative program.

“I’m honored to join the faculty of the prestigious Peabody Conservatory doing what I love most, rap,” Fiasco said. “This program will surround core performance training with coursework on the cultural history and sociopolitical environment that gave rise to hip-hop and its influence.”

The program is spearheaded by Wendel Patrick, a celebrated composer, producer, and beatmaker, who introduced Peabody’s first hip-hop course in 2016. The curriculum will focus on key elements of hip-hop, including rapping, beatboxing, turntablism, and producing, while exploring the genre’s cultural evolution and impact. Students will also receive one-on-one instruction from professional practitioners and collaborate with Baltimore’s vibrant hip-hop community.

“Students in this rigorous yet collaborative program can expect to share ideas, perform with others, and develop their skills through private study with professional practitioners,” Patrick said. “Peabody’s diverse curriculum provides opportunities to engage with styles and traditions that are often excluded from conservatory settings.”

Peabody Institute Dean Fred Bronstein emphasized the importance of this new initiative. “This is an important opportunity to direct Peabody’s strengths toward an essential American cultural movement that has been a driving artistic force for more than half a century,” Bronstein said.

As a visiting professor, Fiasco brings a wealth of experience beyond music. In addition to his award-winning albums, he has served as a visiting scholar at Yale and MIT and collaborated with Google on AI-driven creative projects. His presence at Peabody highlights the program’s commitment to merging tradition with innovation.