It’s the 21st century and there are no limits as to what anyone can do. Rappers divulging in the academic realm is just another way of proving that one can never do too much, especially if it involves enlightening a group of academics. 

American Southern Hip-hop Rapper and Songwriter Bernard Freeman, better known by his stage name ‘BUN B’, in Spring semester 2011 took up a position at William Marsh Rice University's [RICE] school of humanities, teaching hip hop and religion.

Bun delightfully accepted the first time in 2009  when he was  approached by Anthony B. Pinn [Agnes Cullen Arnold professor of humanities and professor of religious studies] – who had asked him to make a guest appearance  for the course. He was introduced to this practise through the Houston Enriches Rice Education Project[ H.E.R.E] .

Bun B asserts he was persuaded because  “I wanted to know whether or not  these people whose skills I found valid in the Hip-hop community’s views carried weight in the human community as far as religion is concerned”.

Each course entails an examination and implication of information that explorers the culture of Hip-hop and it’s relation to religion, as well as the nature and content of Hip-hop as a religious experience. Freeman's religious status is questioned in this course- although he considers himself a Christian in practice some of the students pointed out that his lyrics suggest otherwise.  


Bun B has opened a doorway for several other rapper in this field to control the weight of this course such as Lil Keke, Chamillionaire and Quanelle X.