NYU Appoints Mickey Factz As Adjunct Professor For Rap Theory Course

Published: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 3:05 pm

NYU Taps Rapper Mickey Factz to Teach Rap Theory Course

New York University's Tisch School of the Arts has appointed rapper and educator Mickey Factz as an adjunct professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Factz will teach "The Art of the MC" course, previously led by Black Thought of The Roots. The course is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2025 semester.

Factz, known for his intricate lyricism and contributions to the hip-hop blog era, brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. He aims to educate students on the foundational and historical aspects of emceeing, drawing on the work of various influential artists over the past 50 years.

This appointment is not Factz's first venture into merging hip-hop with education. In 2021, he co-founded Pendulum Ink, an online school for rap and lyricism. The curriculum covers rap theory, lyrical techniques, showmanship, and the inner workings of the music industry. Pendulum Ink also features a celebrity lecture series, with notable artists like Method Man and Styles P.

Factz's appointment at NYU signifies a growing recognition of hip-hop as an academic discipline. He joins a list of other hip-hop artists who have brought their expertise to academia.

BNN's Perspective:

This appointment is a positive step toward recognizing the artistic and intellectual value of hip-hop. While some may question the academic merit of a rap theory course, the inclusion of practitioners like Mickey Factz can provide valuable insights and practical knowledge for aspiring artists and scholars alike. It's a sign of the genre's continued evolution and its increasing influence on broader cultural landscapes.

Keywords: Mickey Factz, NYU, Clive Davis Institute, The Art of the MC, hip-hop, rap, education, adjunct professor, Black Thought, Pendulum Ink, lyricism, emceeing, music industry, rap theory, hip-hop history

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