A: Columbia University
(Q: What do Lauryn Hill and Original White Rapper Prime Minister Pete Nice have in common?)
Once upon a time not long ago, school was cool in rap.
Plenty of hip-hop stars went to college and didn’t hide it. Chubb Rock, EPMD, Souls of Mischief, Chuck D, and Young MC were just some of them.
Rappers back then like Intelligent Hoodlum (aka Tragedy Khadafi) and UTFO’s Educated Rapper, wanted to be seen as smart even if they were thuggin’ after class. And before the money in hip-hop got so big, it actually made sense for artists to have an education to fall back on.
Pete Nice was a several years ahead of Lauryn Hill at Columbia University; by the time Lauryn Hill got to Morningside Heights, hip hop had graduated from part-time hobby to big business.
While Pete got his degree first and then released his first album with rhyme partner MC Serch (as 3rd Bass), Lauryn and The Fugees were already on the verge of global stardom in her sophomore year.
For Lauryn, sticking around for commencement just wasn’t a good look anymore.
Fugees: Nappy Heads
3rd Bass: Gas Face
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great post…i was wondering the same thing. there was a time when you got picked on for being too smart. except with rap, i dont see any bullies…so what gives? who’s making rappers feel like they cant be smart (i mean, i know who’s doing it, but just saying)
“educated rapper” was from UTFO, not WHODINI, but they were one of if not the 1st rap groups to record overseas.
interesting share!!