T.I. is slated to teach a course at Clark Atlanta University entitled “The Business of Trap Music.” The rapper, whose given name is Clifford Harris, is partnering with the HBCU to teach undergraduates this fall alongside renowned hip-hop scholar Dr. Melva K. Williams.
The “innovative undergraduate course will mesh the history of trap music with the economics behind its meteoric rise to becoming a staple in 21st-century hip-hop,” according to Billboard.
“HBCUs have a vital role in our community and have managed to withstand even while being some of the most under-resourced institutions,” T.I. said in a statement. “Our national HBCUs continue to underscore the fact that we have always had to do more with less. I am excited to be partnering with Clark Atlanta University in my hometown, Atlanta.”
“I applaud their innovative approach to ensuring their students are educated beyond the traditional textbook curriculum. I am honored to lend my voice and unique experiences to the betterment of today’s young people and to do my part to lift the legacy of historically black colleges and universities across the nation,” Tip added.
Dr. Williams is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and co-founder of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.). The professor also serves as a Vice Chancellor for Southern University Shreveport and New Orleans.