Rap Lyrics For Class is a podcast discussion between rapper/teacher Kameelah Waheed and a special guest who will analyze one song per episode. Guests include artists and educators who love hip hop and have insightful commentary on how to interpret the lyrics of rap music.
The goal of Rap Lyrics For Class is to provide excellent thought-provoking lyrics for students and teachers who want to liven up the class with music that can inspire a spirited discussion and lead to analysis of various topics of interest. The podcast is also meant for aspiring young rappers to study and gain inspiration from great lyricists who came before them.
Rap Lyrics For Class covers topics that include social issues, politics, protest, relationships, self-perseverance, etc. The podcast is geared towards schools, particularly students interested in music, yet it can also be used in classrooms for other subjects across the board, and ultimately open to anyone who wants to utilize the program.
The idea for Rap Lyrics For Class as a podcast was conceived by Executive Producer, Joe Malachi, who was a social studies teacher for two decades, and managed after-school programs for a dozen years. He explains, “I always saw how music connected with students in the classroom and would heighten their interest in the topic of the lesson, leading to amazing engagement and discussions. In the after school music programs, young enthusiastic rappers would come out, yet often they seemed to be missing the influence of the great lyricists who established the craft, and instead they would just try to emulate what seemed popular at the time. So we wanted to create a podcast appropriate for teachers to use with their students in class, and one that would also inspire up and coming rappers to take their lyrical creativity to another level. Kameelah is a respected artist and educator, and I was fortunate that she accepted the invitation to collaborate with me in creating this program. She has been an invaluable producer and host.”
Rap Lyrics For Class serves as a model for discussions that teachers can facilitate on songs which can be found on the playlists we curate.
Complex - Word is Life discussion with Jermaine Simpson and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee Complex aka Jermaine Simpson analyzes his song Word is Life with Kameelah Waheed, host of the Rap Lyrics For Class podcast. The song looks at the therapeutic value of writing along with the discussion that reveals the inspiration and influences for the song lyrics.
Complex website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
De La Soul - Stakes Is High discussion with Complex and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee and therapist Jermaine Simpson aka Complex and host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song Stakes Is High by the legendary hip hop group De La Soul. The lyrics examine life of the urban struggle along with frustrations of how it is being depicted in music.
De La Soul website
Complex website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
Substance Abuse - Rear View ft KRS One with Subz, EsoTre, Kameelah Waheed
West Coast hip hop duo Substance Abuse analyze their song Rear View featuring KRS-One and tell their story in a discussion with host Kameelah Waheed. The lyrics deal with reflecting on past influences in a way that is relevant in the present and brings those same concepts into the future.
Substance Abuse IG
KRS-One website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
Meek Mill - Trauma discussion with Huego LaFay and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee/actor Huego LaFay and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song Trauma by Meek Mill. The lyrics reflect the real life struggle of a young man being incarcerated and dealing with the stress of the situation, along with other pressures complicating the traumatic life experience.
Meek Mill website
Huego LaFay website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
Busta Rhymes ft Kendrick Lamar Look Over Your Shoulder discussed by Hezekiah and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee/Songwriter/Producer Hezekiah and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the lyrics to the song Look Over Your Shoulder by Busta Rhymes featuring Kendrick Lamar, which also features a sample from Michael Jackson. The lyrics explore themes such as trust, karma, taking care of each other and respecting those who came before you.
Busta Rhymes website
Kendrick Lamar website
Hezekiah website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
J Cole - Love Yourz discussion with Alexandra Bradley and Kameelah Waheed
Educator & 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs Manager Alexandra Bradley and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song Love Yourz by J. Cole. The lyrics talk about the beauty in the struggle of trying to make it in life while being appreciative of what you have rather than envy the things and the lives we think others enjoy. Alexandra Bradley also shares her love for playing the drums and her role supporting the creative programming for students at TECH Freire Charter School in North Philadelphia.
J. Cole website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
The Notorious BIG - Juicy discussion with Alexandra Bradley and Kameelah Waheed
Educator & 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs Manager Alexandra Bradley and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G. The lyrics tell the autobiographical story of Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G. as he went from negative to positive; from surviving on the streets to thriving as a successful artist. Alexandra Bradley also discusses her role supporting the creative programming for students at TECH Freire Charter School in North Philadelphia, where students are also given the opportunity to "reach for the stars".
The Notorious B.I.G. IG
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
Outkast - Ms Jackson discussion with SoSoon and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee SoSoon and host Kameelah Waheed analyze the award winning song Ms. Jackson by the hip hop duo Outkast, which consists of influential emcees Andre 3000 and Big Boi. The lyrics serve as a letter from a father's perspective to the mom of his baby's mother, where he explains the situation and how he intends to be there for their child. The story presented in the song was inspired by the real life relationship between Andre 3000 and R'n'B singer Erykah Badu.
Outkast website
SoSoon website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
Lauryn Hill - Superstar discussion with Namarah and Kameelah Waheed
Singer/Songwriter Namarah and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song Superstar, which appeared on the landmark record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The lyrics provide commentary on the music industry and artists who seem to make songs for the sake of popularity rather than music that is truly inspiring and from the heart.
Lauryn Hill website
Namarah website
Kameelah Waheed IG
9 Feb 2022
G Herbo - No Jail Time discussion with S Beezy and Kameelah Waheed
Emcee S. Beezy and Host Kameelah Waheed analyze the song No Jail Time by G Herbo. The lyrics examine where the artist is from, the ensuing struggles and how he managed to become successful. S Beezy also shares his background and influences that inspired him as he developed as an artist.
G Herbo website
S. Beezy IG
Kameelah Waheed IG
3 Feb 2022
Rap Lyrics For Class Podcast Introduction
Creator of Rap Lyrics For Class and Executive Producer, Joe Malachi, and Podcast Host, Kameelah Waheed discuss the inspiration for the program along with its purpose and goals. Joe Malachi shares his experience as a teacher using song lyrics in the classroom to address social issues, and the fact the rapper Kendrick Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature demonstrates the legitimacy of rap lyrics being used in the classroom for academic purposes. Kameelah Waheed also shares her experience as an educator who has vast experience as an artist and emcee herself.
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