English students at
Syracuse University are about to be schooled by the pint-sized diva, rap star
Lil Kim.
The multi-platinum
rapper will visit Syracuse Wednesday (November 3rd) to address a course about
her lyrics and their social significance.
The accredited
course, entitled: "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H 101 – The Life & Times
of Lil Kim" examines the cultural impact of Kim’s sexuality in mainstream
culture.
Students analyze
Kim’s song lyrics as literary texts and dissect her music videos.
"I am honored
and quite proud that a class is being taught on my sensationalist lyrics, unique
style and fashion and leadership role within the hip-hop community," Kim
said in a statement. "I look forward to a wonderful day at Syracuse University,
meeting and greeting my many fans, as well as the academic community."
According to the
course’s professor, Greg Thomas, the curriculum draws parallels to sex
and gender studies.
“In place of bourgeois literature, and even more bourgeois criticism,
there will be rap audio and lyrics, oral history, ethnomusicology, folklore
or spoken word, magazine articles, interviews, film and video as well as Black
Studies of all kinds,” Thomas’ curricular description for the course
reads. “These works will be critically engaged to provide ample understanding
of Lil’ Kim’s “Queen B####” lyricism [and] her very
own work in the musical revolution that is Hip-Hop.”
Lil Kim’s schedule includes a visit to SU’s "Jabberwocky Caf"
with invited students and faculty and a "Meet & Greet" with SU’s
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Cathryn Newton.
During a classroom
discussion in the Schine Underground, Kim will also speak to invited students,
hold a press conference and meet faculty and students of the African-American
Students Union.
