Getting schooled through hip-hop

The provocative and high-powered music genre that turned 50 this year can be used to teach almost anything — if you first embrace its cultural relevance

November 15, 2023

Rapper standing next to neon lights with a microphone

Download transcript from episode page.

Subscribe to Inspire

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Stitcher

Open Spotify playlist of songs from the episode

Current Mainstream

Talib Kweli - Get By

Mos Def - Oh No

Kendrick Lamar – DNA

Chance the Rapper – No Problem, Blessings

J Cole – Crooked smile, No Role Modelz

Nas – If I Ruled the World

Common – The Light, Glory

Fugees – Fu-Gee-La, Ready or Not

Drake - Thank Me Now

Rapper's Delight - The Sugar Hill Gang

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show - Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent

Watch on YouTube

Non-Mainstream

Sa-roc - Options

Mumu Fresh – Work

Flau’jae - Ooouuhhh

Shad – Keep Shining

Lacrae – Still in America

Lacrae – Deep End

Ray Wimley – Black Power Time

Ray Wimley - Woke

Joey Badass – Land of the Free

Joey Badass – Save the Children

Skepta ft. JME - That’s Not Me

Tobe Nwigwe – Fye Fye

Apache - Grandmaster Flash Mix

Suggested Podcast Episodes

Woman holding her pet cat

Finding joy when you don’t feel it

Young child in shopping cart looking at a phone

Screen time for young kids: What are growing minds missing?

Recycle symbol with American flag colors

American history: Having another déjà vu moment

student wearing a backpack looking out onto a fall day on the Oval

Americans are having fewer babies. Research points to why

See All Episodes

Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities will be administered in compliance with the law as of June 27, 2025.