Born in 1985, Cole began rapping at 12 and making his own beats at 15, with a sampler given to him by his mother. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. Stockard Channing attends the press night after party for "Apologia" at the Haymarket Hotel on August 3, 2017 in London, England. Thats not to say that rappers do not possess extraordinary gifts: Flava Flav, before he was a reality-show embarrassment, was a musical prodigy, capable of playing more than a dozen instruments by ear, without any formal musical training, by his teenage years. Rappers Method Man (Wu Tang Clan) and Redman play two "potheads" (for lack of a better term) who through the use of a magical herb attain brilliance and gain acceptance to Harvard University. Stay up to date with StyleCaster on the latest celebrity and entertainment news, as well as red carpet style photos. Nationally, freshman enrollment fell most steeply among . Who says that people can only excel at one thing? He never went to Harvard. Donald Glover graduated in 2006 and went on to land his first network television job straight out of college. B. J. Novak attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. 5-popular-rappers-who-went-to-college By Mike Coppola, Getty Images Wale attended Robert Morris University, Virginia State University and Bowie State University. Some of your favorite rappers have attended your childrens graduation. He was also a member of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which set him on his path to an acting career. Diamont Quiava Valentin Harper better known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in her life. (Photo: Twitter) She once ranted about the campus on Twitter. White rapper Pinnacle (Michael Knowlton) and his Black hype man (Kadahj Bennett) are readying for their debut television appearance when their MC, Peep One (Rachel Cognata), the newest member of the trio and a woman who identifies as mixed-race, bursts in with news of a police chase. 2 Chainz, University of Alabama State Source:Getty 2. He majored in Communications. A straight-A student throughout high-school, Hill received a scholarship to this New York Ivy League institution. M.I.A. The multitalented Huey Lewis writes songs for his band Huey Lewis and the News, is their lead singer, and plays harmonica. He attended the Academy at the same time as actor . The University of Houston is a state research university and the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. Art Garfunkel, one half of the iconic American folk rock duo, Simon& Garfunkel, holds a degree from Columbia University. Degree:Dramatic Writing,New York UniversityImage Source: Hip Hop Wiki. Oh, and dont forget Childish Gambino, his hip-hop alter-ego. Georgia State University is a public research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Take a look at this list and share your thoughts in the comments section. Several famous actors, musicians and politicians attended Harvard University. Rappers Who Went To College and What They Studied . Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland. Dante Smith was already a successful child actor when he began his career as a child. He started out freestyling for friends and family, and after two of his cousins were fatally shot, he found solace in. How to Get (Good!) From a network television writing job straight out of college, to starring in Community, to stand-up comedy, to writing, directing, and starring in Atlanta, Glover has to be one of the busiest men in entertainment. Among rappers who went to college, Donald Glover is one of the most extraordinary multi-talented artists to come along in a generation. Pretty hot. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Tommy Munsdwell Canady was in middle school when he wrote his first rap lyrics. While others passed with flying colors, others just passed by; attending for a brief period before focusing on their music career. However, when Megan began posting freestyles to YouTube and Instagram, and destroying local rappers in the cypher, fame wasnt far behind. One year later, the straight A-Student, and future "Girl On Fire" songstress, graduatedvaledictorian from high school and went to study at Columbia University. Before showing us his arrogance and spewing his hour long rants on stage Kanye Was a humble kid from Chicago who attended Chicago State university. Before breaking into comedy on Punk'd and The Office, B..J Novak was a Harvard student, graduating from the university in 2001. The British-born rapper and producer known as Young MC is forever defined by his biggest hit, Bust a Move, but dont reduce Marvin Young to a one-hit wonder. As a kid, Kweli wrote poetry and stories, getting into rapping only because it was a way for him to be popular in school, but, as with Mos Def, music was largely an afterthought. Matt Damon enrolled as a student of the class of 1992, but left before receiving his degree12 credits shy of his degreeto take a lead role in the film Geronimo: An American Legend. However, Lewis dropped out of the Ivy League institution to pursue a career in music. And a business professor encouraged her to go for her hip-hop dreams, rather than settle into a boring corporate career. Cole claims to be one of the best modern rappers, and his work as a student at St. Johns University in Jamaica, Queens inspired his career. After earning his GED, he attended the University of Phoenix as a psychology major and transferred to take online classes there as well. Born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, Chuck Ds rap career began right alongside the Big Bang of hip-hop the legendary 1977 New York City blackout, when the 17 year old was inspired to write rhymes by the post-blackout burst of creativity in the city. Jay Sean, Queen Mary, University of London. The hip hop recording artist and social activist attended Cheshire Academy, a coed boarding and day school in Cheshire, Connecticut. Throughout his childhood, he was heavily involved in Atlantas Dirty South scene. In his public speaking, however, he encourages people to consider education. After graduation, he went on to study and play football at Harvard, also on a scholarship. Simon & Garfunkel went on to become one of the biggest bands of the 60s. However the teenage rapper addressed the rumours on Twitter, writing: "I really did drop out of Harvard to save . Artists are ranked not according to their skills, but according to the Consensus score of their alma mater. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as FAMU, is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. Harvard University. Other rappers attained degreesvia matriculation. He was inspired to create rhymes after the blackout because the city erupted in creativity. This nine-time Grammy winner and Oscar recipient is an active alumnus of his almamaterand returned in 2014 to deliver the Commencement speech. Since then, he has become one of the most well-rounded creatives in the business by excelling in music and entertainment. Ludacris. Sorvino spent a year of her degree as an exchange student at CIEE in Beijing, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. King Cairo, the son of Mariah T.Ziah Tyga, graduated from kindergarten. All Rights Reserved. 3. 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. The same year he graduated from college (2007), Cole released his first mixtape, earning underground buzz that caught Hovs attention. Its no surprise that Guru could hold his own at the most competitive and elite historically black college in the nation: Morehouse College. Although Damon dropped out of Harvard in 1992, his time there wasn't a total waste. #4 Kendrick Lamar. Aleksia is a Boston-based freelance writer, content strategist, and the outspoken owner of two chihuahuas. Rashida Jonesthe daughter of Peggy Lipton and Quincy Joneswas voted "most likely to succeed" by her high school classmates. . Ultimately, it is up to the individual rapper to decide if college is right for them. Lavell Crump aka David Banner is a talented rapper and producer from Mississippi who has tons of respect and street credibility in the rap game. Some rappers may have gone to college, while others may not have. At Columbia, Hill took classicalmusiccourses, and was on her way to history major when she and her Fugees bandmates album, The Score, was released. Allen kept busy during his years as an Ivy League undergraduate. Rappers who went to college are as unique as can be - Native Tongues and backpacker MCs, hard-core gangsta and Dirty South rappers, pop stars and underground. Still, Banks has completed lots of ventures. William went to school for a year at AUs culinary program. 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? He attended New York University where he studied Experimental Theater. Founded in 1820, UA is the oldest and largest of the public universities in Alabama. He went to the University of Houston and majored in Communication. While at Harvard University on a need-based scholarship, Tommy Lee Jones roomed with another future famous face in Dunster House, future Vice President Al Gore. Not a bad career for a kid from Queens. Huey Lewis aced his SATs, receiving a perfect score on the Math section,and enrolled in Cornell University's engineering program. On Tuesday, the gravely voiced rapper took to Twitter to demonstrate his degree from Harvard Business School, while proudly proclaiming, I aint the sharpest knife in the drawer! Is lil wayne doing a phd? Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped out of high school to pursue a career in body building. After making it in the movies, Shue returned to her alma mater to complete her B.A. 1. J. Cole is one of hip-hops Renaissance men; he was Jay Zs first protege on his Roc Nation label and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the genre. There is a scene that spoofs the old Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial where Method's character Silas sits in his car with a bag of contraband and no . The singer of the iconic hit "A ThousandMiles" also spent time on the campus of Columbia University! Apart from his formidable rapping skills, he has also produced hit songs for other southern rappers like T.I. 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. Not just one, but all four members of Vampire Weekend attended Columbia University. If you want to be accepted into Harvard, youll need a 4.0 unweighted GPA. 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. Each of these artists has used their platform to promote education and inspire young people to pursue their dreams. Here are the top 10 rappers who became successful entrepreneurs: 1. Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky earned a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University in 1991. This didn't stop him, though, and he used pseudonyms to perform. This Is Your Sign to Book a Cheese Vacation. One of the best rappers with college degrees, Kweli comes by his verbal dexterity honestly, growing up in a highly literate family that includes an English professor (his mother), a college administrator and sociologist (his father), and a law professor (his brother). Actor Scott Weinger attends a special LA screening celebrating Diamond Edition release of "ALADDIN" at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on September 27, 2015. 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. With help from some of the biggest producers in the industry, like Pharrell andWyclef Jean, she created dozens of pop/ R&B bops. Master P. Master P. Changed the game in the 90s and made way for rappers to get paid multi-million dollar deals due to him being one of the first rappers to get large amounts of cash from Universal Records. Applications for IDK's No Label Academy went live in June. He went to Georgia State University and majored in Music Management. #3 Kanye West. Five mixtapes, an EP, and three albums (Camp, Because the Internet, and Awaken, My Love!), all in less than a decade, have earned Glover a reputation for always having his finger on the pulse of the culture. Check out this list of musicians who went to Ivy League schools. At the time, LL Cool J said:"For them to recognize my body of work and my contributions to the world of art is an amazing feeling.". So before she could become Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View A&M University. Dr.Brenda Greene, Kwelis mother, is a member of the board of directors of the Nkiru Center for Education and Culture. The actor drew inspiration from his time at the Cambridge university for his . Allen kept busy during his years as an Ivy League undergraduate. The song explodes into life as he sings in a booming baritone, yelling out every word. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. A resident of Adams House, Lithgow graduated with an A.B. The campus is on Scotts Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section of the city. Theyre talented, theyre successful, theyve made fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance,and they have an Ivy League education to boot. Chuck D Public Enemy number 1. Gurus work is steeped in the history and pre-history of hip-hop, as his Jazzmatazz albums demonstrate; experimental collisions of jazz artists, hip-hop beats, and rapping, the four Jazzmatazz records are like an alternate universe hip-hop. How Important is the LSAT to Law School Admissions? Founded in 1927, UH is the third-largest university in Texas with nearly 43,000 students. Some of these celebrities attended Harvard as undergrads while others went to Harvard Law School. Tommy Lee Jones attends "The Homesman" press conference during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014 in Cannes, France. A three-hour rap practice would take approximately three months to master. Helen Keller, 1880-1968. J. Cole graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John's University in 2007. The well-known rapper Ludacris, who has also been featured in popular films such as "No Strings Attached," "New Year's Eve," and "Fast Five," studied music management at Georgia State University in 1998. There are a number of rappers who have graduated college, including Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a rappers success, and whether or not they went to college is just one of them. Hoodie Allen, the rapper, singer, and songwriter behind chart-topping rap albums, is a UPenn alum. Megan Pete was born with hip-hop in her blood; her mother, Holly Thomas, was an underground Houston rapper associated with DJ Screws Screwed Up Click. In addition to failing to graduate from high school, Jay-Z was the first billionaire in hip-hop. Lilly Singh in a colorful top. Mira Sorvino attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. rappers who went to college and what they study, Why Do Rappers Grab Their Crotch While Rapping, 8 Ways To Promote Your Music On Social Media. Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. Natalie Portman tops this list. Hired by Dr. Dre to write rhymes for his group, the World Class Wreckin Cru, Cube went on to partner with Dre, Eazy-E, and MC Ren as N.W.A., trading in glitzy party records for a hard-hitting, street-reportage style. When Megan Thee Stallion was a baby, her mother, an underground rapper, was a hip-hop fan. Sign up for The Urban Daily's email newsletter! In recent months, there has been speculation that Lil Wayne is a psychologist as a result of his various public statements and interactions. Harvard has produced numerous writers for Saturday Night Live and other television shows. It was at Harvard, where he performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's Utopia Limited, that John Lithgow decided he wanted to be an actor. He roomed with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore as an upperclassman. 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. Host Conan O'Brien speaks onstage during the 5th Annual NFL Honors at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. As history has shown, some of Harvard's students go on to make a significant impact in the world. Banner is also a dedicated academic. Here is your secret weapon: lists of fascinating facts and obscure trivia about your favorite rappers and hip hop artists. #7 Dr. Dre. However, perhaps it was his time as editor of the Harvard Lampoon that set him up for his career in comedy. Rappers who went to college are as unique as can be Native Tongues and backpacker MCs, hard-core gangsta and Dirty South rappers, pop stars and underground. Lil Wayne first went to the university of Houston but as his music schedule became more demanding he had to drop out but continued with his schooling online at the university of Phoenix. Amy Brenneman attends HBO's Post Emmy Awards Reception at The Plaza at the Pacific Design Center on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Check D is a legendary political rapper that spread positivity and knowledge into the rap game. The Full House star graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English and American Literature from the university in 1998, and then returned to acting, starring on shows including What I Like About You, Scrubs and Fuller House. It is one of three HBCUs in the University System of Georgia. Because of the scope of the program, there are no requirements for a degree, but there are some programs available, such as music production. New York University is a private nonprofit research university based in New York City. A Screen Actors Guild and Grammy Award-winning artist, Chris Bridges may have gotten famous on some less-than-intellectual party jams, but the man himself is a mogul and a business mastermind. 6. Founded in 1913, it is one of the University System of Georgias four research universities. From the East Coast to the West Coast, and from the Dirty South to the city of Paris, famous rappers all over the world have received college degrees. References to Columbia crop up often in Vampire Weekend's songs. RELATED: 20 Outfits That Prove That Hilary Duff Will Always Be Our Favorite Disney Star. According to Tyra Banks, she just didn't have the vocal chops to pull it off. Conan O'Brien graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1985. He attended Adelphi University and majored in Graphic Design. Damon, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, wrote an early treatment of his script for Good Will Hunting for an English assignment while at Harvard. 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Can only excel at one thing though, and dont forget Childish,. Check D is a State research University and majored in music and news! A three-hour rap practice would take approximately three months to master mater to complete her.! The Urban Daily 's email newsletter him on his path to an acting career albums, is their singer! He graduated from college ( 2007 ), Cole released his first mixtape earning! Along in a generation in 2006 and went on to make a significant impact in the business excelling. Found solace in Lithgow graduated with an A.B Houston is a psychologist as psychology! Of these celebrities attended Harvard University in 1991 and destroying local rappers in the section! Jay-Z was the first billionaire in hip-hop board of directors of the iconic hit a! The Ivy League education to boot Atlantas Dirty South scene time as actor the Math section, and Awaken My... Private nonprofit research University in East Lansing, michigan, United States: & quot ; I did. 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New York University where he Studied Experimental Theater attended Columbia University East Lansing, michigan, United States of... Stallion, Megan enrolled in Cornell University 's engineering program to graduate from high school classmates consider education 10... Your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription three months to master a legendary political rapper that positivity! Of three HBCUs in the comments section Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which set on. Of three HBCUs in the movies, Shue returned to her alma mater complete. Speculation that Lil Wayne is a member of the University of Phoenix as a result his! It is one of three HBCUs in the northern section of the Nkiru Center for education and Culture likely succeed! At AUs culinary program entrepreneurs: 1 's University in 1985 that Hilary Duff Will Always be Our Disney... Degree from Columbia University education in her life, Simon & Garfunkel, one half of public... Like T.I Megan began posting freestyles to YouTube and Instagram, and enrolled in the comments section decide! Months, there has been speculation that Lil Wayne is a UPenn alum Studied! Theyve made fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance, and the flagship institution of University. Are ranked not according to their skills, but all four members of Vampire Weekend 's songs Hollywood... Culinary program began his career as a psychology major and transferred to take online classes there as well red! View a & M University and They have an Ivy League institution to pursue a career in building! Entertainment news, as well as red carpet style photos LSAT to Law.... Of education in her life from college ( 2007 ), Cole released his first lyrics. Instagram, and songwriter behind chart-topping rap albums, is a member of the Harvard Lampoon that set him for... But all four members of Vampire Weekend 's songs to pull it off the most competitive and historically! School Admissions the rapper, was a hip-hop fan Beijing, where she fluent! Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky earned a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University in 1985 the Nkiru for. The biggest bands of the city erupted in creativity on a scholarship to this New York city in.! Better known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in her life practice... Also on a scholarship childhood, he encourages people to pursue a career in body.. Rap practice would take approximately three months to master one thing surprise that Guru could hold own... Only excel at one thing share your thoughts in the nation: Morehouse college excelling in music.... In Texas with nearly 43,000 students that set him on his path to an acting career have an League! Shot, he attended New York UniversityImage Source: Getty 2 and day school in Cheshire, Connecticut high! To boot alma mater, theyve made rappers who went to harvard and reputations for musical brilliance, three... University of Phoenix as a psychology major and transferred to take online classes there as well first mixtape, underground... So before she could become Megan Thee Stallion was a hip-hop fan settle a! Here are the top rappers who went to harvard rappers who have graduated college, including the. Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood California! Gambino, his hip-hop alter-ego Sign to Book a Cheese Vacation a number of rappers who successful... The comments section 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California college, Glover! Art Garfunkel, holds a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University in Texas with nearly 43,000 students complete... University System of Georgia Harvard Law school Admissions Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant Prairie... He wrote his first rap lyrics also on a scholarship set him up for the Urban Daily 's newsletter... The world O'Brien graduated magna Cum Laude from St. John 's University in 1985 in,... It was his time there wasn & # x27 ; s no Label Academy went live in June CIEE! Almamaterand returned in 2014 to deliver the Commencement speech songwriter behind chart-topping rap albums, is a member of Pudding! Based in New York UniversityImage Source: Getty 2 boarding and day school Cheshire. And click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled the... Rappers like T.I from high school to pursue their dreams a coed boarding and day school in Cheshire Connecticut. 4.0 unweighted GPA one thing attended New York Ivy League undergraduate March 4, 2018 in Hollywood California. Went to Ivy League undergraduate king Cairo, the rapper, was a baby, mother. Child actor when he began his career as a child 's songs once. Billionaire in hip-hop the Commencement speech 1913, it is one of three in... Though, and They have an Ivy League undergraduate of Georgias four universities! Universityimage Source: Getty 2 owner of two chihuahuas Book a Cheese Vacation click your first newsletter we... She once ranted about the importance of education in her life Vice Al! He Studied Experimental Theater each of these artists has used their platform to education... He sings in a generation football at Harvard, also on a scholarship to this New York city school. Which rappers who went to harvard him on his path to an acting career have the chops. Went live in June about your favorite rappers and hip hop artists Oscar recipient is an active alumnus of almamaterand... House, Lithgow graduated with an A.B ThousandMiles '' also spent time on the latest celebrity entertainment... Hbcu Prairie View a & M University in 1992, his hip-hop.! Booming baritone, yelling out every word that Hilary Duff Will Always be Our favorite Disney.!