Howard University is bringing hip-hop culture into the classroom in a new way.
The HBCU will introduce a three-credit elective course centered on rapper Cardi B, examining her music, brand, and cultural impact as part of a broader study of the music industry.
Course Built Around Cardi B’s Latest Album
The course, titled “The Cardi B: Am I The Drama? The Art, Production, Marketing, and Cultural Impact of Hip-Hop,” will focus on Cardi B’s second album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
According to Billboard, the project earned more than 200,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
The class will explore the album through multiple lenses, including:
- Music production
- Marketing and branding
- Media and business strategy
- Gender studies and cultural theory
Why Cardi B?
Professor Jasmine Young, director of Howard University’s Warner Music/Blavatnik Music Business Center, said Cardi B represents more than just a popular artist.
“Cardi B — she’s not just the moment. She’s definitely the movement,” Young said in an interview with WUSA-9.
Young described the artist as a powerful case study in both culture and business.
“She’s business, she’s everything,” Young said, emphasizing the relevance of studying a global music figure in an academic setting.
A New Approach to HBCU Hip-Hop Education
The course will be taught in collaboration with:
- Dr. Msia Kibona Clark, associate professor in African Studies
- Professor Pat Parks, Department of Theatre Arts
It will also be supported through Howard University’s partnership with the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center, which focuses on preparing students for careers in the music industry.
The class is designed for students minoring in hip-hop studies and will provide insight into how artists build brands and navigate the business side of entertainment.
More Than Music: Culture, Business and Representation
In addition to analyzing Cardi B’s music, the course will examine broader topics, including:
- Representation of Black women in the music industry
- The global influence of hip-hop culture
- The business strategies behind major artists
Young said the goal is to connect classroom learning with real-world industry practices.
Course Details and Enrollment
The course is scheduled to debut in Fall 2026 and will be held twice a week. Enrollment will be limited to 24 students, making it one of the more selective offerings in the program.
Growing Influence of HBCUs in Hip-Hop Studies
Howard University has been at the forefront of integrating hip-hop into academic study, and this course continues that trend.
By focusing on a current artist like Cardi B, the university is expanding how music, culture, and business are taught at the collegiate level.