New York University students will have some of the culture’s most coveted academic experiences this fall. As Q-Tip and NYU both recently announced, the legendary rapper, actor, producer, DJ and founding member of A Tribe Called Quest will co-teach a seven-class NYU course on the intersections of jazz and hip-hop.

Music historian Ashley Kahn will also teach the class, which NYU describes as “among the first in the world to explore the underappreciated connections between jazz and hip-hop and combines historical and social perspectives with the opportunity to produce original music at the nexus of the two genres.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to share with the students what I know and I look forward to them also teaching me. Teaching is an exchange of sharing and receiving for all involved,” Q-Tip said.  

Tip and Kahn will teach students about historical, social and musical connections between the musical genres. The duo will also help students contextualize The Last Last Poets, Stetsasonic, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, and Kendrick Lamar’s work.

Each class meeting will include two parts. For the first portion, students will focus on readings, listening and viewing assignments. The second part includes study of musicianship, performance, composition and production. According to NYU, students will also work “collaboratively to create, refine and produce their own original musical works.”