Rapper Nas Raps His Way Into Harvard University

joanngomba

October 16, 2013 4:02 PM

Who else could have been the perfect candidate for a Harvard Honors if not Def Jam Recordings artist Nas? The Hip Hop Archive and the W.E.B Du Bois Institute at Harvard University deemed it fit to mark respect to the two decades plus career of the multi- platinum artist. This was done in a big way.

Both institutions jointly established the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship, a society “to provide selected scholars and artists with an opportunity to show that education is real power.” This will reward and assist students who demonstrate exceptional capacity and creative ability in the art “in connection with hip hop”.

The Hip Hop Archive was created at Harvard in 2002 with a mission to seek extraordinary performances and intellect from both students and artists in the rich hip hop tradition and to further grant scholarship devoted to the knowledge, art, culture, organizations, movements and institutions developed by those who follow and support hip hop.

The Director of the W.E.B Du Bois Institute for Africa and African American Research, Prof. Henry Louis Gates said, “Nas is a true visionary and he consistently shows how boundaries can be pushed and expanded to further the cause of education and knowledge”

Nas is one of hip-hop's most celebrated lyricists, best known for his reflective rhymes and deep storytelling. His 11th album, «Life Is Good,» was released in 2012 and earned four Grammy nominations. His hits include «If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),» «Street Dreams» and «I Can.»

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