Howard University Launches Cardi B Course

Get ready for a new kind of academic exploration! Howard University is making headlines by announcing a unique course dedicated to the one and only Cardi B. This isn’t just about music; it’s a deep dive into the cultural impact, business savvy, and artistic expression of a true global icon.

Deconstructing Cardi B’s Phenomenon

The three-credit course, titled ‘The Cardi B: Am I The Drama? The Art, Production, Marketing, and Cultural Impact of Hip-Hop,’ will center on her highly successful second album, released on September 19, 2025. This album not only debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 but also sold an impressive 200,000 equivalent album units in its first week.

Professor Jasmine Young, director of Howard University’s Warner Music/Blavatnik Music Business Center, explained that the course will examine Cardi B’s rise to superstardom. It aims to understand what makes her such an amazing, global, and iconic figure in the music industry.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

This groundbreaking course is a collaborative effort. Professor Young will be joined by Dr. Msia Kibona Clark, an associate professor in African Studies and director of the school’s hip-hop studies minor, and Professor Pat Parks, an assistant professor in Theatre Arts. Together, they’ll explore the album through the lenses of music, business, marketing, media, gender studies, production, and cultural theory.

A significant focus will be placed on the representation of Black women and minority women within the music business, offering valuable insights into the industry’s landscape.

Why This Course Matters

Professor Young highlighted the course’s significance, stating it validates hip-hop as a scholarly discipline and a thriving global economy. It provides students with direct access to the strategies, storytelling, and brand architecture behind a superstar like Cardi B. This isn’t just theory; it’s about proximity to the ‘REAL playbook.’

The Warner Music/Blavatnik Center aims to ‘educate, excite, and empower’ students. This course is set to redefine hip-hop education by institutionalizing the study of contemporary artists, proving that culture is indeed currency and that the classroom should reflect the current pulse of students. This unique partnership with Atlantic Records and Cardi B herself is a testament to that mission.

Course Logistics

Mark your calendars! The course is scheduled to officially debut in the fall 2026 semester. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Due to high demand and the specialized nature of the curriculum, only 24 students will be admitted.