Researching Kendrick Lamar’s work: music as part of studies in Philadelphia

Kendrick Lamar’s work will soon be a subject of study at Temple University in Philadelphia. In the fall semester, the Department of African Studies and African American Studies will add a new course called Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.d City.
Course instructor Timothy Welbeck said the course will explore not only Lamar’s music but also the broader context of his work. In particular, students will explore the history of Compton, the artist’s hometown, as well as the deep cultural roots of hip-hop, which serves as a means of expression for the African-American community.
Throughout the course, participants will examine social issues raised in Lamar’s albums, such as Section. 80 and Good Kid, m.A.A.d City. Topics include housing inequality, mass arrests, and police brutality. The curriculum involves writing creative papers and formal assessments, as well as scheduled guest lectures by people who have directly collaborated with the artist.
Courses that study the work of individual artists have recently become popular in the United States. This approach has sparked considerable discussion in academic circles, and it is worth noting that similar courses have been introduced for other famous personalities.
Drake has become more popular on Spotify, overtaking Lamar in terms of listeners on the platform. According to Chart Data, Drake has 80.65 million listeners, while Lamar has 80.62 million, which is a slight difference.