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Another school year is upon us. So many songs that have become part of the culture were inspired by the artists' unique experiences during their school days and the paths they forged for the future. Education-based reflections of the struggles, triumphs, hopes, dreams and relationships that either lasted or never panned out the way we’d hope can be a great unifier for groundbreaking artists and music fans alike. A wide range of the essence of these experiences have been captured in song.
LISTEN TO THE SONGS FOR SCHOOL DAZE PLAYLIST NOW
From Chance the Rapper recalling a school suspension and De La Soul's classic lovestruck school tale “Jenifa Taught Me,” to Columbia University’s own Vampire Weekend's tales on “Campus” and A$AP Rocky joining Juicy J on a track that was paired with an unusual real-life “Scholarship,” we've put together your soundtrack for the bus ride, carpool or dorm room or just real life inspiration.
Chance the Rapper, “14,400 Minutes”
On the cover of “10 Day,” his debut mixtape, Chicago’s Chance the Rapper looked every bit the schoolboy in his ball cap and his varsity jacket. But the opening track broke down all the minutes he spent – 10 days’ worth – out of school during a suspension.
Fetty Wap, “Wake up”
“Can I get five more minutes?” Fetty pleads on this 2016 reminiscence. It’s the rallying cry of anyone who’s ever wanted to roll over and hit the snooze button, instead of rallying for yet another humdrum day of school.
3 Titans (feat. Menahan Street Band), “Life of a Scholar”
Looking for some inspiration as you get back to the books? Look no further than Jordan Plaines, Kahlil Jackson, and Dallas Ifill, the three young scholars named, who were all of 11 years old when they cut this infectious single for Bushwick, Brooklyn’s Daptone Records. If extra credit is needed, the track was produced by Tommy “TNT” Brenneck (Budos Band, El Michels Affair, Dap-Kings) and backed by the Menahan Street Band, known for their records with Charles Bradley.
Nas, “I Can”
Nas’s open letter to the next-gens. The video opens with a young girl playing Beethoven on a piano in a vacant lot. Wherever you’re from, hard work pays off. Nas can attest, and does: “B-boys and girls, listen up/You can be anything in the world, in God we trust.”
Fashawn feat. Aloe Blacc and Devoya Mayo, “Hey Young World”
This 2009 ode to positivity helped land the Fresno rapper Fashawn some choice gigs, including collaborations with J. Cole, Nas, Wiz Khalifa, and more. He speaks truth: “He who never tries never fails.”
De La Soul, “Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)”
De La’s long overdue release from bureaucratic limbo means a new generation gets to experience the joys of one of hip-hop’s all-time freshest groups. “She was in my English class,” explains the late Trugoy the Dove (RIP), and the boys take the tale from there.
Kristoff Krane, “Student Body”
Early in his career, this Minneapolis art-rapper made his mark with this rumination on the benefits of a rote education vs. the artistic road less traveled: “I believe that answers are like clouds in open skies/And all of them are perfect if I breathe and close my eyes.”
Asher Roth, “I Love College”
“I want to go to college for the rest of my life,” Roth declared on his debut single. The parties, the women, the pizza for a dollar a slice: Well, sure you do.
Kris Kross, “I Missed the Bus”
We’re pretty sure missing the bus was not on Jay-Z’s mind when he rapped about having “99 Problems.” But Jay was not a child rap star, like these two kids were in the early 1990s. At least they learned their lesson: “It’s something I will never, ever, ever do again.”
Leaders of the New School, “Case of the PTA”
Proteges of Public Enemy, this Long Island group ran the gamut of a typical school day, from “Homeroom” to “Afterschool,” on their 1991 debut “A Future Without a Past.” They stuck around for just one more album, but hip-hop grad school was in store for one alumnus: Busta Rhymes.
Dead Prez, “They School”
For the great duo Dead Prez, the usual school learning could never take the place of being self-taught: “I was reading Malcolm/I changed my name in ‘89, cleaning parts of my brain.”
Boogie Down Productions, “You Must Learn”
KRS-One was always about gaining that knowledge. “When one doesn’t know about the other one’s culture/Ignorance swoops down like a vulture,” he rapped on this classic from 1989.
Monie Love, “Monie in the Middle”
It’s a classic tale of schooldays crushing: Monie has here eye on this one boy in class, but some other “knucklehead” won’t leave her alone. Bring back that New Jack Swing! Monie just launched a new series on Rock the Bells TV.
Juicy J, “Scholarship” (feat. A$AP Rocky)
“Say you need some extra cash to pay for college with And it just so happens I got a lot of it,” raps Memphis’ own Juicy J on the opening of “Scholarship.” The 2013 track was paired with Juicy’s idea for a scholarship to the tune of $50k for “the best chick that can twerk.” As it turns out the winner didn’t twerk at all, thanks to her demonstrating excellent attention to detail by reading fine print where she learned that twerking wasn’t actually required. Instead the video included the student’s professor endorsing the 19 year old student (and Juicy J fan’s) work, as well as just showcasing her personality. This clearly won over the rapper and Three 6 Mafia alumnus who chose her as the recipient of the scholarship. You might say she earned an A+ in reading comprehension, as well.
Young M.C., “Principal’s Office”
And speaking of 1990 in hip-hop, Young M.C. ruled the roost with “Bust a Move.” One track before that all-time banger on his debut album was “Principal’s Office,” which detailed an unfortunate day at school. In the lunchroom, “When I tried the apple sauce, I heard it crunch.” Ew!
Big Daddy Kane, “Rap Summary (Lean on Me)”
Legendary M.C., Kane sampled the great Bill Withers on his second album, 1989’s “It’s a Big Daddy Thing.” “Wanna go to college, or wanna be garbage?” he spat, throwing down the knowledge challenge.
Vampire Weekend, “Campus”
Has there ever been a band quite as college-oriented as Vampire Weekend? They met at Columbia University and sang about the “Ladies of Cambridge.” They even wrote a song about the debate over the “Oxford Comma.” To use or not to use?
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