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14 Famous Rappers Who Attended College

By on November 28, 2012

14 Famous US Rappers Who Attended College

It’s easy to write off today’s rappers as nothing more than self-taught entrepreneurs and moguls whose strongest skill is their ability to spit clever lines wrapped in suffocating layers of self promotion. But the current roster of hip-hop heavyweights includes a number of educated rappers who spent some time writing essays and research papers before penning radio-friendly couplets.

Though some of them attended school for just a few semesters — including the poster-child of college dropouts, Kanye West — they all prove that higher learning can play an important role in an entertainer’s path to success. Oh, and that no one, not even Yeezy himself, is immune to lugging around those dreaded textbooks.

So take a look through the slideshow below and school yourself on 14 of the most educated rappers in the game.

J. Cole – St. John’s Univeristy

Before making a successful break into the music industry that included a Grammy nomination and recording deal with his idol Jay-Z, J. Cole was just a driven student studying communications at St. John’s University in Queens, New York.

The Roc Nation rapper attended the university on an academic scholarship telling the AP that he enjoyed what he learned in college but always knew rapping was his true passion.

Lil’ Wayne – Univeristy of Phoenix

Best known for his infectious hits like “Lollipop” and “A Milli,” it seems Lil’ Wayne appreciates higher learning just as much as his zebra print skinny jeans and Vans sneakers.

Weezy first attended the University of Houston where he studied psychology.

He told the ladies of “The View” that once taking physical classes at University of Houston began to get “out of control” due to his increasing fame, he decided to switch to the online courses offered by University of Phoenix to complete his degree

David Banner – Southern University
Rapper, producer and actor David Banner obviously had the entrepreneurial spirit years before he broke into the music industry.

The “Like A Pimp” rapper graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he majored in business.

Ludacris – Georgia State University
Chris Bridges — better known as the witty, southern dipped rapper Ludacris — attended Georgia State University where he graduated with a degree in music management.

Luda put his courses to work soon after completing school, co-founding Disturbing Tha Peace Records with his manager Chaka Zulu.

MIA – Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Rapper M.I.A. is knowledgeable about a little more than catchy hooks and flipping the bird on national television.

The British rapper earned her degree from London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design where she majored in fine art, video and film.

Flavor Flav and Chuck D – Adelphi University
Hip-hop icons Chuck D and Flavor Flav formed a lifelong bond while attending Adelphi University on Long Island, New York.

Flav studied communications and business while Chuck D, known as Carlton Ridenhour during his college years, majored in graphic design.

The two creatives would go on to make hip-hop history as members of the group Public Enemy.

Paul Wall – University of Houston
“The People’s Champ” Paul Wall was hitting the books way before he topped the charts with his 2005 hit song “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”

Wall attended the University of Houston for three years where he was on his way to completing a communications degree. He left the university to pursue his rap career.

Talib Kweli – New York University
As the son of two professors, Talib Kweli most likely had no option but to follow in his parents footsteps and earn his college degree.

He stuck to his creative interests, though, attending New York University where he graduated with a degree in experimental theater.

Rick Ross – South Florida Corrections Officer Academy
He didn’t participate in the conventional university experience but Rick Ross was once a proponent for the straight and narrow, attending an academy to become a corrections officer in Florida.

He initially denied the allegations when they first surfaced in 2008. He eventually admitted to the role, though, telling Rolling Stone that he pursued the position after a close friend was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Ross said he simply wanted to “wash my hands” of his past offenses.

Plies – University of Central Florida & Miami University
Plies has been attributed to academic stints at both Miami University and the University of Central Florida.

Speaking to KBXX he said the rumors of him earning a nursing degree are untrue. He admits that he went to college and had the opportunity to play football but remains mum on what specific institutions he attended.

Rah Digga – New Jersey Institute of Technology
As a member of Busta Rhyme’s “Flipmode Squad,” Rah Digga knows something about holding her own and possibly wiring a circuit.

The scholar attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology where she studied electrical engineering — a major totally opposite of her final career choice.

Common – Florida A&M University
Emcee Common tested the university waters during a brief enrollment at Florida A&M University where he studied business administration.

The rapper has gone on to win two Grammy Awards as well as launch a successful acting career. He continues to speak at colleges around the nation telling University of Minnesota students he feels it is his duty to encourage the next generation of scholars.

Kanye West – Chicago State University
Art more than imitated life with the title of Kanye West’s debut album “The College Dropout.”

The writer, producer, Kardashian lover and all around humble guy — at least in his eyes — attended Chicago State University where he majored in English. West ended up leaving the school to pursue his career, a decision his mother Donda West told Time she wasn’t initially sold on reports People.

Diddy – Howard University
The name chameleon and creator of the “Diddy Bop” was once a student at Howard University, splitting his time between classes and an internship with Uptown Records in New York.

He ended up dropping out of the university to pursue a career that eventually made him one of the wealthiest hip hop artists with a net worth of $550 million according to Forbes.