By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Howard University is turning one of hip hop’s most influential voices into a powerful teaching tool, launching a new course inspired by Cardi B’s cultural impact, music strategy, and evolving brand.
Set for Fall 2026, the three-credit course titled “The Cardi B: Am I The Drama? The Art, Production, Marketing and Cultural Impact” will examine how the Grammy-winning artist has shaped modern music, media, and business practices.
The course, developed in partnership with the Warner Music Blavatnik Center for Music Business, will use Cardi B’s current era as a real-time case study, giving students insight into how music production, marketing, and storytelling intersect in today’s digital age.
Rather than focusing solely on music, the class will break down how artists build influence through social media, visuals, partnerships, and public narratives — all key elements of Cardi B’s rise and continued relevance.
Howard officials say the course reflects the university’s growing investment in hip hop studies and its commitment to connecting culture with career pathways.
Students will explore how attention, timing, and audience engagement shape successful music releases, while also examining how online conversations and fan behavior influence an artist’s staying power.
The class will be co-taught by Dr. Msia Kibona Clark and Professor Pat Parks, incorporating a hip-hop feminist lens to address media framing, visibility, and the experiences of Black women in entertainment.
By combining academic study with real-world industry insight, Howard University continues to position itself at the forefront of cultural education — proving that hip hop is not just music, but a movement, a business, and a powerful force shaping the future.