Lupe Fiasco is advancing his academic career by joining Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute as a visiting professor. Starting in 2025, he will teach a rap course within the conservatory’s newly established four-year hip-hop program.
In a recent Instagram post, Lupe expressed excitement about contributing to the legacy of one of America’s oldest and most respected music conservatories. Known for producing world-class musicians, the Peabody Institute’s new program highlights hip-hop’s growing influence in higher education.
“Thrilled to share that I’ll be joining the faculty at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in Fall 2025 as a Distinguished Visiting Professor, teaching Rap as part of the groundbreaking new 4-year Hip Hop Degree Program led by the visionary Professor @wendelpatrickofficialmusic,” Lupe wrote.
He also noted that he will continue teaching at MIT and pursuing his fellowship at Yale while advancing rap studies and practice in academic spaces. The rapper looks forward to bringing his expertise to Baltimore and helping shape the next generation of hip-hop artists and scholars. “See you soon Baltimore 🙏🏾,” he added.
In addition to his academic role, Lupe announced two innovative platforms for his fans: RhymenShop and Endless LUP, both launching in 2025.
RhymenShop is a multi-modal, multimedia creative musical sandbox where fans can experience exclusive music through Data Compression Services (DCS). Fans who own RhymenShop USB cards, called “Bowls,” can access “Flavors”—exclusive tracks and remixes available only through these collectibles. Lupe teased the release of new batches of Bowls, ensuring more fans will have the opportunity to join the RhymenShop experience. “If you were lucky enough to receive one, I highly suggest you hang on to it as it will be the only way to get the upcoming flavors,” he said.
Lupe also announced Endless LUP, a 24-hour AI-powered radio station trained on his rapping style. Designed to produce high-quality, AI-generated Lupe Fiasco songs that play only once and never again, this station offers a futuristic music experience. Developed by a team at MIT, it will only be available in specific locations for limited periods of time and will require an FM radio to tune in. Lupe described it as a blend of cutting-edge technology and creativity, pushing the boundaries of how fans consume music.
With his academic appointment at Johns Hopkins, continued teaching roles at MIT and Yale, and innovative projects like RhymenShop and Endless LUP, Lupe Fiasco is proving that his impact extends far beyond music. Whether in the classroom or through groundbreaking platforms, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year in his career as both an artist and educator.