Temple University Plans Kendrick Lamar Course on Black Experience

Temple University in Philadelphia will launch a new course titled “Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City” in the Fall 2025 semester, focusing on the cultural and social impact of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper. The course, led by Professor Timothy Welbeck from the Department of Africology and African American Studies and Director of the Center for Anti-Racism, will explore themes such as racial identity, masculinity, societal structures, and self-actualization through the lens of Lamar’s albums, including Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Welbeck emphasized Lamar's significance as a defining voice of his generation and how his work reflects the Black experience in America. This academic offering joins a trend of universities incorporating hip-hop and music culture into their curricula to examine broader cultural, social, and political issues. Temple University has previously offered courses on artists like Tupac Shakur, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z, reflecting the institution’s growing embrace of hip-hop studies. Lamar’s cultural influence is further highlighted by his ongoing Grand National tour with SZA and recent high-profile performances like the Super Bowl Halftime Show.