The class will explore Kendrick’s music, cultural legacy, and his role as a voice for social change
This fall, Temple University is breaking new ground in its Africology and African American Studies Department by introducing a course dedicated entirely to the artistry and impact of Kendrick Lamar. Titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City”, the class will examine the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper’s body of work as a lens through which to understand the evolution of Black expression, politics, and identity in America.
Professor Timothy Welbeck, the driving force behind the course and director of Temple’s Center for Anti-Racism, describes Lamar as “one of the defining voices of his generation.” In a conversation with NBC10, Welbeck shared: “Kendrick’s art and life reflect the Black experience in deeply telling ways. Studying him in an academic space allows us to explore not just his personal journey but also broader paths toward self-actualization in marginalized communities.”
Beginning August 2025, students will immerse themselves in Lamar’s discography, from good kid, m.A.A.d city to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, alongside explorations of Compton’s socio-political landscape that shaped his perspective. Guest lectures from industry collaborators and cultural critics will add insider context, and discussions will tackle themes like systemic inequality, mental health in Black communities, and hip-hop as resistance art.
Professor Welbeck has been integrating Lamar’s lyrics into his curriculum for nearly a decade but says this standalone course was a year in the making. “Hip-hop is more than music—it’s a cultural archive, a tool for storytelling, and a platform for challenging power structures,” he explains.
The course arrives in a landmark year for Lamar. 2025 has seen him dominate headlines, from his explosive lyrical feud with Drake to a historic Super Bowl Halftime Show and sweeping wins at the Grammys and BET Awards. His collaboration with SZA on the Grand National Tour has already grossed over $256 million, proving his staying power as both an artist and a cultural force.
Temple University isn’t new to hip-hop academia, having previously offered classes on Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. But Kendrick Lamar’s curriculum comes as his influence feels more urgent than ever.
For Welbeck, the goal is for students to leave the course with a profound understanding of how art intersects with identity, community, and social change. “Through Kendrick’s work, we can see how hip-hop serves as a mirror to society’s struggles and a map for imagining liberation,” he says.
The course has already sparked excitement across Temple’s campus, with students from various disciplines rushing to enroll. As one sophomore put it on social media: “Finally, a class that treats Kendrick’s albums like the masterpieces they are.”
Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City promises to be not just an academic experience but a journey into the heart of hip-hop’s cultural revolution.
