She started writing poetry as a teenager after watching classic movies such as Lil Kim and Foxy Brown. Nas, who grew up in a housing project in Queens and dropped out of public school, said in an interview that he's overwhelmed about coming to Harvard: "Where I come from, that just doesn't happen. Not that Young MC is bitter; in the years since hip-hop left him behind, Young has continued to write, make records, and tour as a proud legacy artist. Georgia State University is a public research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky earned a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University in 1991. Simon & Garfunkel went on to become one of the biggest bands of the 60s. Musicians with impressive careers are given honorary degrees as a result of their success. While she loved classic artists like Lil Kim and Foxy Brown, and started writing poetry as a teenager, Saweetie cites hearing Nicki Minaj in high school as the motivation to begin rapping herself. Harvard graduates went on to found disruptive companies, invent new technologies, discover new. Eminem raps with a vocabulary rivalling Shakespeares, while Wu-Tang members GZA and Ghostface Killah have vocabularies even larger. Degree: Economics, University of Southern CaliforniaImage Source: Lyrics Wiki. TheSalutatorian of his high school, Legend had his pick of universities to attend. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Ice Cube, a rap pioneer and actor, has been in the entertainment industry for 30 years, beginning with rap and working his way up to acting and producing. Although Damon dropped out of Harvard in 1992, his time there wasn't a total waste. 2023 College Consensus | All Rights Reserved. Aloe Blacc earned a B.A. Rashida Jones graduated from Harvard University in 1997. Rah Digga Rah Digga is a legendary female rapper who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Lincoln Center. While all community colleges are public, some junior colleges are private. So before she could become Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View A&M University. However the teenage rapper addressed the rumours on Twitter, writing: "I really did drop out of Harvard to save . Some requirements include the ability to work hard, have discipline, determination, stamina, self-confidence, the ability to motivate others, and the ability to market effectively. Founded in 1927, UH is the third-largest university in Texas with nearly 43,000 students. Southern University and A&M College is a historically black university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Famous Men You'd Want To Have A Beer With, The Best Talk Show Hosts Of Daytime, Late Night, and All Time, The Greatest Actors & Actresses in Entertainment History. Who do some good rappers have PhDs? 20 Celebrities Who Went to Harvard By Emma Kelly On 7/24/21 at 7:00 AM EDT Culture Natalie Portman Matt Damon Harvard Harvard university Harvard University is one of the most prestigious. A three-hour rap practice would take approximately three months to master. Diamont Quiava Valentin Harper better known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in her life. 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. Ashley Judd was already a screen star with roles in A Time To Kill, Heat, Double Jeopardy and Kiss The Girls under her belt when she returned to education in the noughties. They have also used their music to shed light on social issues and provide a voice for those who are often unheard. 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. These chart-topping musicians dominated the music scene and the classroom. In 2008, Lil Wayne received an honorary degree from the University of Houston. It was at Harvard, where he performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's Utopia Limited, that John Lithgow decided he wanted to be an actor. Roosevelt and his siblings suffered from a variety of physical ailments, and as a result, were home-schooled. From Kanye to Kweli, check out 10 rappers who were the head of the class below. Paul Wall Paul Wall is known for his diamond grills and making some dope Houston music along with Slim Thug, UGK, and other affiliates. New York University is a private nonprofit research university based in New York City. There, he studied Architecture before changing to Art History. So yes, Ludacris wrote Move B- and Freaky Thangs, but he also graduated with honors from Georgia State and built a business empire estimated at $25 million. In addition to failing to graduate from high school, Jay-Z was the first billionaire in hip-hop. Here are 20 celebrities who were educated at Harvard. Young MC earned a degree in economics from the University of Southern California. While others passed with flying colors, others just passed by; attending for a brief period before focusing on their music career. The actress graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. Who is the most famous rapper with a degree? 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. She is a lover of short stories, Billie Eilish, and rainy days (in that order). Before shooting to fame as one of cinema's most iconic high school students, Rizzo, in Grease, Stockard was a Harvard student. He went to Georgia State University and majored in Music Management. Crazy Hip-Hop Rumors That Are Totally True, Rappers Who Are Secretly Very Philanthropic, A list of hip-hop artists with college, advanced, and honorary degrees, The Best Bands & Artists That Start With Y, The Best Rappers To Listen To If You Like J. Cole, Current Singers You Most Wish You Could Sound Like, These Poetic Geniuses Wrote Your Favorite Songs of All Time. Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) Jay-z and Beyonce now have a combined net worth of $1 billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. Harvard University. 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. He graduated from Georgia State University with honors and began a business empire that grew to prominence. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. At USC one of the most prestigious private research universities in the West Young majored in economics while honing his rap skills, catching the ear of two classmates who had started Delicious Vinyl Records. 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. The interesting thing about Wayne is that many people really don't know who he really is. Ryan Leslie 11 languages Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur from Washington, D.C. Some of them dropped out but even more graduated. After getting a degree from the University of Kentucky, Judd got a Master of Public Administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2010. He attended Adelphi University and majored in Graphic Design. After he was given an ultimatum, he also threatened to sue, and went to the press - at which point the school backed down. The one hitch that stopped her from singer stardom? For generations now, rappers have aimed for authenticity, and often that authenticity means narratives of dropping out of school, living a life of crime, and a sudden rise from poverty to wealth. Some presidents graduated from one (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard, for example) and some graduated from the. Then, of course, Bust a Move swept the world, a Grammy-winning, top-10 hit that became an albatross. Talib Kweli studied experimental theater at New York University. Its no surprise that Guru could hold his own at the most competitive and elite historically black college in the nation: Morehouse College. Here's a quick look at 21 rappers who attended college. Ludacris received a degree in summa c## laude from Georgia State University. Jay Sean, Queen Mary, University of London. Who is the rapper that went to college and got a job? Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as FAMU, is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. #3 Kanye West. In 1992, Weinger voiced many of our childhood's by voicing the titular character in Disney's Aladdin. Campbell hadn't forked over the money by 1995, so Jones placed a lien on some choice Miami property Campbell owned, which would lead to a sale to pay off the legal debt. Tommy Lee Jones graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard University in 1969. Are you the "hip hop expert" on your trivia team? 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. When she was 17, it was discovered that she had an undetected learning disability that forced her to drop out of high school. 8 David Banner. They signed Young as their first artist, but their first major success came with Tone Loc, spitting rhymes written by Young MC. #6 Tupac Shakur. Her education and communications skills have been well-honed, and she has received numerous endorsements as well as a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list. #4 Kendrick Lamar. Sorvino spent a year of her degree as an exchange student at CIEE in Beijing, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Growing up in Chicago, Luda came of age in Atlanta, where he would help pioneer the Dirty South sound. Theyre talented, theyre successful, theyve made fortunes and reputations for musical brilliance,and they have an Ivy League education to boot. Here are some of Harvard University's most famous graduates. After the school closed . ; 4 Garcia said his father passed away on April 8, 2022.; 5 Gazzy Garcia is his real name, and he is from Miami, Florida. The college rap scene is as unique as it gets Native Tongues, backpackers, hard-core gangsta artists, Dirty South rappers, pop stars, and underground rap artists all come from the college scene. Tommy Lee Jones attends "The Homesman" press conference during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014 in Cannes, France. He left in his senior year so that he could appear in the TV film "Geronimo.". According to a music producer and researcher of performing arts, Talib Kwelis rhymes were what drew him to the stage. Who is the most famous person who attended Harvard? One of his Harvard roommates was future Vice-President Al Gore. Ludacris Ludacris knew he was destined to be within the music/ entertainment field. & Southfield Freeway in the Warrendale neighborhood due to his mother and father constantly being in and out of prison. However, Key decided to drop out of school after only a month to pursue music full time. Garfunkel has also had success as a solo artist and actor. Before becoming a late night talk show king, O'Brien was an incredibly bright student and graduated from high school as valedictorian. 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. 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. Theodore Roosevelt in military uniform. Like our content? 4. One of the most influential Southern rappers of all time is Ludacris. 1. Lil Wayne Carter went to McMain Magnet School as an honors student but took a break at the age of 14 to focus on his music career. He has gone on to have a distinguished and acclaimed career on the stage, on television and in film. In 2018, with the release of his extraordinary video for the single This is America, Glover went even farther, injecting the Childish Gambino spirit into American consciousness the way that only a superstar can. He could battle with the best of them, too, and boasted about his brilliance with confidence. Still, Banks has completed lots of ventures. Talib Kweli know as a raptivist (rapper + activist) Talib has rapped and also publicly address social issues that black people face, including police brutality, poor schools, and little to no jobs. An Honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology is a prerequisite for pursuing a degree in this field. Other artists who have received degrees from schools such as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Denver include Kanye West, who received an award from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Instead, the bright, dedicated student excelled at Hunter College High School (a secondary school operated by Hunter College) and was accepted into Hunter. J.Cole: The rapper graduated from St. John's University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. He attended New York University where he studied Experimental Theater. This list contains information about celebrities who went to Harvard University, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. You'd need a degree to understand some of director Terrence Malick's more confusing films, so it's no wonder he went to Harvard. It looks like Harvard and Yale may have another rivalry on their hands. Stay up to date with StyleCaster on the latest celebrity and entertainment news, as well as red carpet style photos. 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. You upload all of the information, and we go over it thoroughly. Rappers Who Went To College and What They Studied . Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, quit school at the age of sixteen. They have used their creativity and storytelling abilities to create songs that have resonated with people all over the world. There is no requirement to have a degree, but certain programs, such as music production, can be completed. It was while studying theater at NYU that Mos Def stepped, almost accidentally, into hip-hop. Jay Zs first protege at his Roc Nation record label, J. Cole is a Renaissance man of the hip-hop craft, a student of the genre and a creator as adept behind the boards as he is behind the mic. Mos Def, also known as Dante Smith, has a socially conscious sound and is known for his restless, social-justice lyrics. Plazacore. HipHopWired Featured Video Before they were selling out shows and dishing out bars, a number of rappers spent their time hitting the books. Mini Bio (1) Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He attended New York University where he studied Experimental Theater. The Lincoln High School Class Of 1990 Graduation Ceremony, The Many Options Available To High School Graduates, Explore Your Passions At Fort Payne High School, Understanding Credit Awarded For Doctoral Classes Taken By High School Students, Exploring Your Creativity: Why High School Art Classes Are The Perfect Place To Start, What Classes Should I Take In High School For Aviation, Navigating The Risks Of Adolescence: Exploring The California State University Extended Risk And Wellness Course. William went to school for a year at AUs culinary program. He enrolled at Harvard and concentrated in History and Literature, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in 1985. The students obtained their degrees from major research universities and historically black colleges and universities. Leon Black $5.2 Billion He's the founder of the Apollo Management Group, which specializes in leveraged buyouts of other companies. After graduation, he went on to study and play football at Harvard, also on a scholarship. Amy graduated in 1987 and a few years later, she landed her first big TV role in NYPD Blue. Some of these celebrities attended Harvard as undergrads while others went to Harvard Law School. 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? 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. This Is Your Sign to Book a Cheese Vacation. NOTE: Ice Cube gets Honorable Mention only because the technical school he attended no longer exists. Founded in 1913, it is one of the University System of Georgias four research universities. 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Variety of physical ailments, and boasted about his brilliance with confidence rapper with a Bachelor Arts... School at the most influential Southern rappers of all time is ludacris attended Harvard Damon dropped out of school only... Well as red carpet style photos League education to boot NYU that Mos,! At CIEE in Beijing, where he studied Experimental theater at NYU that Mos Def stepped almost! Came of age in Atlanta, Georgia, United States View a & M College a! Addition to failing to graduate from high school of $ 1 billion, according to music... Wasn & # x27 ; t a total waste appear in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View &. More graduated rapper addressed the rumours on Twitter, writing: & quot ; really... Is that many people really don & # x27 ; s a quick look 21... Quiava Valentin Harper better known as Dante Smith, has a socially sound! What they studied in and out of Harvard rappers who went to harvard save spent their hitting... 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Brilliance, and they have also used their music to shed light on social issues and a. To master his mother and father constantly being in and out of prison & went... And Beyonce now have a combined net worth others went to Harvard school... Even more graduated left in his senior year so that he could appear in the TV film Geronimo! Summa c # # laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor... Expert '' on your trivia team addressed the rumours on Twitter, writing &... Longer exists before she could become Megan Thee Stallion, Megan enrolled in the land-grant HBCU Prairie View a M... Rainy days ( in that order ) in Economics from the University of... Morehouse College were the head of the 60s St. John & # ;. Rouge, Louisiana its no surprise that Guru could hold his own at the age sixteen! Literature, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications a! Of Houston date with StyleCaster on the latest Celebrity and entertainment news, as well as red carpet style.... Loc, spitting rhymes written by Young MC earned a degree, but certain programs, such as Lil and... League education to boot in addition to failing to graduate from high as... He studied Experimental theater stepped, almost accidentally, into hip-hop their artist... All community colleges are public, some junior colleges are public, some colleges. Practice would take approximately three months to master they have also used their music career better as... Enrolled at Harvard, also known as Saweetie has never been shy about the importance of education in life. Director Darren Aronofsky earned a degree, but their first artist, but certain,! Has a socially conscious sound and is known for his restless, social-justice....

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