From Compton to the Classroom: Temple Adds Kendrick Lamar to Curriculum

Kendrick Lamar's life and lyrics will be the subject of a new fall semester course at Temple University, taught by Professor Timothy Welbeck. 

Kendrick Lamar’s legacy is already cemented in music history. Now, it's making its way into the college classroom.

Starting this fall, Temple University will offer a course titled "Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City," an Afrocentric deep dive into the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper’s life, lyrics and cultural weight. Designed and taught by professor Timothy Welbeck, a respected scholar in Africology and African American Studies, the course aims to unpack the socioeconomic, political and personal factors that have shaped Lamar — and the world that shaped him.

“This isn’t just about rap lyrics,” Welbeck told NBC10 in a recent interview. “Kendrick Lamar is one of the defining voices of his generation. His art and life reflect the Black experience in deeply telling ways.”

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Welbeck, who also serves as director of Temple’s Center for Anti-Racism and is a hip-hop artist himself, has previously taught courses on Tupac, Jay-Z and the evolution of Black culture through music. With this new offering, he hopes to explore Lamar’s full trajectory — from his Compton roots to the Grammy stage and global influence — through an Africological lens that centers Black expression and self-actualization.

The course arrives at a critical cultural moment. Lamar’s recent lyrical feud with Drake reignited debates over authenticity in hip-hop, while his explosive anthem "Not Like Us" — a searing takedown of celebrity ego and false alliances — has become a cultural flashpoint, sparking industry lawsuits and think pieces alike. At the same time, his co-headlining Grand National Tour with SZA was one of the year’s highest-grossing, cementing his status as both icon and provocateur.

Students in Welbeck’s class will study that tension head-on. From Lamar’s major-label debut "good kid, m.A.A.d city" to the densely layered "To Pimp a Butterfly" and his latest effort "GNX," the course promises a sharp examination of hip-hop as not just music, but social commentary — shaped by public policy, systemic inequality and Black resilience.

Beyond lectures, the course will include guest speakers from the music industry who have worked with Lamar, offering students rare insight into both his creative process and the business machinery behind the music.

Rapper Young Noble, Member of Tupac’s Outlawz, Dead at 47

Mogkilluminati, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Young Noble, the last artist personally added to Tupac Shakur’s iconic group Outlawz, has died by suicide. He was 47.

Born Rufus Lee Cooper III, Noble was found dead Friday morning, July 4, at his home in Atlanta. The news was confirmed by longtime friend and fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean, who shared the update on Instagram with a heartfelt plea: “Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many. CHECK ON YOUR FOLKS!”

Noble’s death was also verified by a representative speaking to PEOPLE. No additional details were released by his family.

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A fixture in one of hip-hop’s most influential crews, Noble carried a direct line to Tupac Shakur’s vision. He joined Outlawz in early 1996, just months before Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas. At only 18, Noble made his debut on Shakur’s posthumous classic “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory,” appearing on standout tracks like “Hail Mary,” “Bomb First (My Second Reply)” and “Just Like Daddy.”

Over the decades, Noble became a torchbearer for the Outlawz legacy, both through music and community engagement. He recorded four solo albums — "Noble Justice," "Son of God," "Powerful," and "3rd Eye View" — and co-founded Noble Justice Productions, an independent outlet through which he released his work.

Damn my dude Young Noble of The Outlawz has passed. Unfortunately he took his own life according to his Outlawz member E.D.I. Amin's post.
Everyone must respect mental illness and what someone may be going through. Check your loved ones, friends, family etc.
I'll cherish the… pic.twitter.com/prdMsNQtKj

— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) July 5, 2025

He also outlived nearly all of his Outlawz bandmates. Yaki Kadafi was killed in 1996, Hussein Fatal died in a car crash in 2015, and Napoleon left the music business entirely. Noble remained active, both on record and on social media, where he posted an uplifting message just days before his death: “You're not reading this by accident. This is your confirmation. You're going to make it. No matter what it looks like right now.”

Noble’s life was marked by struggle from the start. Born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, in 1978, he was raised under difficult circumstances. His mother battled addiction, and he never knew his father. He relocated to New Jersey as a teenager and eventually met Kadafi, Tupac’s godbrother, who helped introduce him to the rest of the Outlawz.

In 2021, Noble survived a serious heart attack. But in 2024, tragedy struck again: his mother, Ellen Ferr, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and died later that summer. Friends say her death deeply affected him.

The outpouring of grief from the hip-hop community was immediate. Snoop Dogg — who was labelmates with Shakur and the Outlawz during their time at Death Row Records— posted the tribute song “The Good Die Young” on Instagram, writing simply: “DAMN. Mental health is real.”

In announcing the news, E.D.I. Mean asked for privacy while hinting at the unspoken toll fame and legacy can sometimes take: “Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable. My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power, Rufus Young Noble Cooper.”

Outlawz Member Young Noble Calls Out Snoop Dogg For Telling A Wild Exaggerated Story About 2Pac's Interaction With Nas At Bryant Park.

(🎥 The Art Of Dialogue/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/mJtz6F52vD

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 21, 2024

Court Denies Diddy’s Release as Prosecutors Warn of Risk

Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail Thursday, following his conviction on two counts related to transporting individuals for prostitution. Combs will remain in custody pending sentencing.

A federal judge has denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’s request for bail, following his conviction on two Mann Act charges for transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. Despite being acquitted on the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, prosecutors successfully argued — and Cassie Ventura’s attorney reiterated — that Combs remains a danger to potential victims and the community. 

Cassie Ventura’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, submitted a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian emphasizing her ongoing concerns: “Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community.”

Cassie is opposing Sean "Diddy" Combs' release from federal custody.

"Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community." pic.twitter.com/DMeDAQECnG

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) July 2, 2025Prosecution filings argue that Combs’s conduct during the trial — including graphic accusations, admitted violence, and drug-fueled sexual “freak offs” — justify keeping him behind bars to prevent further intimidation or harm.

Meanwhile, Combs’s legal team proposed a $1 million bond, strict travel restrictions, passport surrender, and regular drug testing 

But prosecutors stood firm, underscoring concerns about public safety and witness protection.

The next step is sentencing. Combs faces up to 20 years in prison — 10 years per conviction — though legal experts have suggested he may receive “time served” or a lighter sentence, given the split verdict.

Split Verdict in Diddy Trial: Guilty on Transport, Not Guilty on Trafficking

A federal jury on Wednesday found Sean "Diddy" Combs guilty of transporting women for prostitution but acquitted him of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, marking a pivotal moment in his decades-spanning career.

In a trial that tested the limits of hip-hop’s intersection with celebrity, power and accountability, a Manhattan jury delivered a split verdict Wednesday in the high-stakes case against Sean “Diddy” Combs — convicting the 55-year-old mogul on two counts of transportation for prostitution while acquitting him of more serious charges including racketeering and sex trafficking.

The verdict, reached just before 10 a.m., followed nearly 14 hours of deliberation by a jury of eight men and four women. They cleared Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking involving both Cassie Ventura and a second accuser known as Jane Doe but found him guilty of transporting both women across state lines for prostitution — a charge that still carries potential prison time.

There was no visible reaction from Combs as the jury read the decision. The music mogul — whose three-decade career helped define hip-hop’s rise from gritty streets to global boardrooms — sat expressionless, flanked by his legal team. Afterward, he was quietly returned to federal custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

The charges stemmed from a sprawling federal investigation into Combs’ alleged decades-long pattern of coercion, abuse, and manipulation. Prosecutors built their case on testimony from multiple accusers who described being lured into what they called “freak-offs” — drug-fueled sex parties allegedly arranged by Combs and his associates. But defense attorneys painted the interactions as consensual and framed the lifestyle as “eccentric, not criminal.”

Combs’ lead attorney called the partial verdict “a sign the system still works,” while federal prosecutors declined immediate comment.

The trial — sparked by Ventura’s explosive $20 million civil lawsuit in late 2023 — ignited a chain reaction of more than 30 legal complaints, many of which remain active. Allegations against Combs span from the early 1990s to as recently as mid-2024 and include claims from former employees, models, music insiders, and everyday civilians who encountered him briefly and left with lasting trauma.

Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking, but his conviction for violating the Mann Act — the federal law prohibiting transport of individuals across state lines for sex work — remains significant. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been announced, though legal analysts expect proceedings to begin by early fall.

For fans and critics alike, the verdict marks the culmination of a stunning downfall for one of hip-hop’s most influential architects — the man behind Bad Boy Records, “Making the Band,” and multiplatinum albums like “No Way Out.” But while he dodged the most serious charges, the guilty counts ensure his legacy — and legal future — are far from settled.

Maxo Kream Facing Firearm Charges, Denies Fleeing Police During Traffic Stop

Maxo Kream

Maxo Kream wants you to know he wasn’t running from the law — just driving a little too fast in his Lamborghini. Texas police, however, say that moment of speed could cost him more than just a traffic ticket.

The Houston rapper, born Emekwanem Ogugua Biosah Jr., was arrested June 27 after a routine traffic stop turned into what authorities allege was an attempted escape. Police say Kream was initially pulled over in Harris County for expired license plates — reportedly out of date since May — but drove off as officers exited their vehicle.

Although no chase ensued, officers say Maxo soon pulled over and was taken into custody without further incident. Inside the vehicle, authorities say they discovered two firearms. Because of his alleged affiliation with a criminal street gang, he was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon by a gang member — a felony — along with a misdemeanor charge for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

Kream addressed the arrest via Instagram, posting a screenshot of a TMZ article and captioning it, “Damn … I wasn’t ‘ELUDING’ my Lambo just a lil fast,” adding, “But na no more jail @persona x @coughsyrupbydestodubb s—t goin on.”

His attorney, Carl A. Moore, denied any wrongdoing, telling TMZ Hip Hop, “Maxo did not flee from the police. He complied with the commands of the arresting officer. We plan to fight these accusations in court.”

Kream is scheduled to appear in court on July 7.

The arrest punctuates an otherwise quiet musical year for Kream, who released his last album, "Personification", in 2024. Recently, he’s focused on growing his clothing label, Persona, which hosted a Houston pop-up shop the weekend of his arrest. He also appeared at the city’s Screw Day celebration, paying tribute to DJ Screw — a revered figure in Houston’s hip-hop legacy.

Still, the legal situation looms large. Texas gun laws are unforgiving, and the added accusation of gang affiliation could intensify the legal challenge. While Maxo’s team maintains his innocence, police reports offer a contrasting view, setting up a legal showdown with potential career-altering consequences.

For now, Maxo Kream remains free — but the stakes are rising. His next steps, both in court and in music, could decide whether this becomes a footnote or a fork in the road.

Is Beyoncé Country Enough? Viral Critic Reignites Debate Over Genre Lines

Beyoncé rides a white horse while holding an American flag in a promotional image for her album Cowboy Carter. The project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart, sparking debate over its genre classification. Country artist Gavin Adcock called the album “the farthest thing from country,” while supporters praised it for expanding country’s boundaries. (Photo courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment)

When Gavin Adcock — former Georgia Southern football player turned rough-edged country artist —
posted a Reel claiming Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" is “the farthest thing from country,” he reignited a long-standing debate about who gets to define a genre rooted in both tradition and transformation.

The short video, now trending across Instagram and TikTok, shows Adcock shaking his head and offering a southern-fried breakdown of why he doesn’t believe "Cowboy Carter" belongs under the country umbrella.

“Lemme go ahead and clear this up — when I was a little kid, my mama raised me on real country,” Adcock says. “I’m talkin’ George Strait, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt. I ain’t hatin’, but don’t label somethin’ country just to make it chart.”

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A post shared by Gavin Adcock (@gavinadcockmusic)

It’s a tone that’s part bemusement, part subtle gatekeeping — and it reveals more about country music’s discomfort with evolution than it does about Beyoncé.

Because here’s the question Adcock — and many like him — keep skirting: what exactly is “real country” in 2025?

Statistically, "Cowboy Carter" might be the most successful “country” album of the decade. Beyoncé’s genre-bending opus debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Top Country Albums, and Top Americana/Folk Albums simultaneously — making her the first Black woman in history to top the country chart.

According to Luminate, "Cowboy Carter "moved 407,000 equivalent album units in its first week, including 168 million on-demand streams — a figure far surpassing recent country releases by artists like Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs. These aren’t crossover numbers — they’re takeover numbers.

But success isn’t the only qualifier. The album’s DNA is country — just not the narrow kind historically confined to Music Row radio rotations. Beyoncé interpolates Dolly Parton, covers The Beatles’ “Blackbird” (written during the civil rights era), and resurrects Linda Martell, the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry, giving her overdue voice and validation.

Genre boundaries have always shifted. Elvis shook up country. Ray Charles turned Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music into a landmark. Lil Nas X went viral and hit No. 1 with a cowboy hat and an 808. What Beyoncé’s doing isn’t a gimmick — it’s tradition, just one that doesn’t always look like what the Nashville establishment expects.

That discomfort is the point.

Beyoncé herself wrote in the album’s liner notes: “This ain’t a country album. This is a Beyoncé album.” And that’s the real story: she’s not asking permission — she’s asserting authority.

Artists like Adcock are entitled to their opinions. But the facts remain: "Cowboy Carter" didn’t break country music. It exposed how small the gate has been. And for many listeners — especially Black ones — that gate was never open to begin with.

Whether she’s standing onstage at the CMA Awards or headlining her own genre-defying global tours, Beyoncé’s presence in country isn’t an invasion.

It’s a reclamation.

So the question isn't whether "Cowboy Carter" is country enough.

The question is whether country music is ready to admit its roots were always bigger than its borders.

Walter Scott, Velvet-Voiced Whispers Legend, Dies at 81

The Whispers pose backstage before their performance at Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. From left: Leaveil Degree, Wallace Scott, Walter Scott and Nicholas Caldwell. Walter Scott, co-founder of the group, died Thursday at age 81.

Walter C. Scott Jr., whose buttery vocals alongside his identical twin Wallace anchored the iconic R&B group The Whispers for more than five decades, died Thursday in Northridge, Calif., after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 81 and surrounded by family.

Desirae L. Benson, a member of the Whispers' promotional team, confirmed Scott’s death in a statement to Soul Tracks:

We all are incredibly heartbroken. It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Walter Scott, beloved member of the legendary R&B group The Whispers,” Benson said. “His voice, presence, and contributions helped shape a musical legacy that touched millions. Walter’s impact on the industry and in the hearts of fans will never be forgotten. 

Formed in Los Angeles in 1963, The Whispers — originally Walter and Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon — became one of the most celebrated vocal groups of their era. Their string of hits spanned decades, with “And the Beat Goes On,” “Lady,” “It’s a Love Thing,” and “Rock Steady” defining R&B radio in the 1980s.

Over their career, The Whispers earned 15 top 10 R&B singles, two R&B No. 1 albums ("The Whispers" and "Love Is Where You Find It"), and widespread acclaim for their smooth choreography and timeless harmonies.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1944, Walter Scott moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he and his brother first began performing. The group relocated briefly to San Francisco in the mid-’60s to sharpen their live act. Walter was drafted into military service in Vietnam and rejoined The Whispers in 1969. The group gained momentum in the late ’70s after signing to Dick Griffey’s Solar Records, beginning a golden era of hits that kept them on the charts and touring through the 2000s.

Harmon was replaced in 1973 by Leaveil Degree following a vocal injury. Hutson died in 2000, Caldwell in 2016, and Harmon in 2023. The Whispers were inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2014.

Walter Scott is survived by his wife, Jan, two sons, three grandchildren, and his brother Wallace.

Watch: Living Colour Electrifies for Tiny Desk’s Black Music Month Tribute

Living Colour performs at NPR’s Tiny Desk in Washington, D.C., in a June 2025 concert celebrating the 35th anniversary of their landmark album Time’s Up. From left: Vernon Reid, Will Calhoun, Corey Glover and Doug Wimbish. (Screengrab via YouTube)

Living Colour didn’t just play behind NPR’s Tiny Desk. They detonated it.

The pioneering Black rock band delivered a searing, soul-baring performance that honored the 35th anniversary of their landmark album "Time’s Up," shook the walls of NPR’s headquarters, and reminded the world that rock, rage, and revolution still live in Black music.

Opening with their 1988 breakout “Cult of Personality” — the Grammy-winning anthem that made political theory scream — Living Colour set the tone with Corey Glover’s full-throttle vocals, Vernon Reid’s sonic sleight of hand on guitar, and a rhythm section powered by Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun that hit like a fist through drywall.

But this wasn’t just nostalgia. It was history, fury, and deep musicianship in tight quarters.

With every song, Living Colour layered commentary on race, identity, media, and systemic distortion. “Pride” challenged American hypocrisy, “Love Rears Its Ugly Head” dissected relationship chaos and self-destruction, and “Solace of You” offered a melodic sanctuary in a world that often seeks to erase Black voice and story. Reid shouted out D.C. legends Bad Brains before launching into a blistering “Time’s Up,” turning NPR’s quiet corner into a temple of electric urgency.

“History’s a lie that they teach you in school,” Glover sang in “Pride,” over Calhoun’s tight beat. “A peaceful land that was born and civilized was robbed of its history, freedom, and pride.” It hit like gospel wrapped in punk.

The band used every inch of the stripped-down space to deliver something bigger than volume: meaning. Even with amps turned down and stage lights off, Living Colour glowed — a reminder that Tiny Desk’s size doesn’t limit the size of its message.

During their set, Glover took a moment to reflect on Black Music Month and the losses the culture has endured. “We lost Roberta Flack, we lost so many,” he said. “This song really speaks to that.”

By the end of “Solace of You,” the room didn’t just cheer — it exhaled. For Black rock fans, it was church. For everyone else, it was a lesson in what the genre has always owed to Black artists.

Watch the entire performance below.