Acclaimed R&B/hip-hop producer 9th Wonder is the latest musician to join the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment faculty. As a visiting professor and artist in residence, 9th Wonder will teach courses in hip-hop history and the making of an album, honing in on his current research in conjunction with the Loeb Library at Harvard University, and personal expertise.
“Music changed my life and opened doors for me in ways that I never could have imagined, so it’s only right that we impart our knowledge to help the next generation of ambitious leaders,” 9th Wonder said in a statement to Billboard. “I’m truly honored to teach at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment and look forward to equipping these students with the tools to break barriers in their own lives and careers.”
In addition to his early production work with Jay-Z on The Black Album and Destiny Fulfilled by Destiny’s Child, 9th Wonder has gone on to work with everyone from Drake and Kendrick Lamar to Jill Scott and Erykah Badu. Outside of musical production, 9th Wonder has delved into the world of academia, teaching at Duke University and Harvard University. He also served as an artist in residence at North Carolina Central University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Virginia.
The Roc Nation School is housed at Long Island University, in Jay-Z’s hometown of Brooklyn, and provides scholarships to 25% of its enrolled students. Other recent additions to the music school’s faculty include jazz saxophonist, Sam Newsome, and baritone vocalist, Colin Levin.
“We’re thrilled to welcome such an esteemed group of musicians to serve as lecturers at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment,” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said in a statement. “Their collective wisdom and versatility will be essential to ensuring that the students receive a well-rounded education.”
