Exclusive: Kendrick Lamar Spotted Taking Courses At UCLA

Kendrick Lamar is known for his lyrical genius, social consciousness, and introspective storytelling, but few expected to find him in a university classroom. In 2022, the Grammy-winning rapper was spotted attending courses at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)—a revelation that has since gone viral. Reports indicate that Lamar enrolled in a psychology course, sparking discussions about the intersection of education, artistry, and self-growth.

While many celebrities opt for honorary degrees or short courses, Lamar’s commitment to formal education stands out. His decision to immerse himself in psychology aligns with the themes deeply embedded in his music—mental health, identity, trauma, and self-reflection. But what drove one of the greatest rappers of all time to take college classes? And how does psychology play a role in his artistry?

Kendrick Lamar at UCLA: The Viral Revelation

In early 2024, fans were stunned when images of Kendrick Lamar in a UCLA classroom surfaced online. The pictures, originally posted by TikTok user @alejandarainparis, showed Lamar dressed casually, sitting among students, checking his phone, and taking notes. The caption? “POV: Just a normal day at UCLA.”

The person who uploaded the video later admitted that they hadn’t recognized Lamar at the time:

“This was in 2022. He was incredibly kind and humble. I didn’t realize who he was at that time—I just saw people asking for photos, and I took some too. It wasn’t until later that someone told me who he was.”

The clip quickly gained traction, with fans expressing shock, admiration, and curiosity. Many praised Lamar for his humility and dedication to learning, while others wondered why one of the greatest lyricists of our time would go back to school.

Why Psychology? A Natural Extension of His Art

Reports indicate that Lamar was enrolled in a psychology course, which makes perfect sense considering the psychological depth of his music. From good kid, m.A.A.d city to Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar has consistently tackled themes like:

Trauma and PTSD (e.g., “u”, “Fear.”, “Mother I Sober”)
The complexities of identity and race (e.g., “The Blacker the Berry”, “Alright”)
Mental health struggles (e.g., “DUCKWORTH.”, “I”)
Religious and existential conflicts (e.g., “How Much a Dollar Cost”, “DAMN.”)

For years, his lyrics have been a deep psychological exploration of personal and societal struggles. Studying psychology at UCLA would only enhance his ability to articulate these themes with greater nuance and depth.

Academic Influence on Kendrick Lamar’s Music

While Lamar’s music has always been deeply intellectual, his time in a UCLA classroom may have had a direct influence on his latest work.

One of UCLA’s courses, “On the Analytical Psychology of Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. Album,” is dedicated to exploring the rapper’s work through the lens of Jungian psychology. This class delves into how his album explores the duality of human nature, similar to the theories of Carl Jung’s “shadow self” and individuation process”.

The syllabus describes it as:

“Exploring the themes of duality and Christian symbolism in Kendrick Lamar’s fourth studio album, DAMN., through the lens of Jungian principles of analytical psychology.”

Interestingly, many of these concepts are evident in his post-2022 releases, including Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he openly addresses therapy, trauma, and childhood wounds.

Could his studies at UCLA have influenced this introspective, therapy-driven album? It certainly seems possible.

The Importance of Education in Artistic Evolution

Kendrick Lamar’s decision to take college courses highlights an essential truth: education is not just for career advancement—it’s a tool for artistic and personal growth.

Many musicians reach a point where they feel they’ve said everything they need to say, but those who continuously seek knowledge and inspiration remain creatively relevant. Lamar’s UCLA experience demonstrates how education can:

Deepen storytelling abilities: Understanding psychology allows artists to craft more emotionally nuanced and relatable narratives.
Expand creative perspectives: Exposure to different philosophies and academic frameworks can lead to richer artistic exploration.
Enhance self-awareness: Studying human behavior can help artists better understand themselves and their audiences.

Lamar’s approach is reminiscent of great artists like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, who engaged with academia, history, and psychology to strengthen their creative work.

Fan Reactions: From Shock to Respect

The news of Lamar’s UCLA studies has led to a mixed bag of reactions on social media.

Admiration from Fans

Many praised him for his dedication to self-improvement, with comments like:

“So technically, he’s getting A MAJORRRR.”

Others pointed out that Lamar has always been intellectually inclined, and his UCLA studies only confirm what fans have long suspected—he’s more than just a rapper; he’s a scholar of human behavior.

Disbelief and Humor

Some fans joked about the surreal nature of attending class with Kendrick Lamar:

“Imagine stressing over finals while sitting next to a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper.”
“Bro really said ‘sit down, be humble’ and went to class.”

The humor highlights how unusual it is to see a global superstar actively participating in traditional academia.

Psychology and Music: A Powerful Relationship

The connection between music and psychology is well documented. Many artists unknowingly apply psychological principles in their work, but few take the time to formally study the subject like Lamar did.

Music as a Psychological Outlet

Lamar’s music serves as a form of therapy, both for himself and his listeners. Songs like “FEAR.” and “DUCKWORTH.” dissect childhood trauma, while “I” promotes self-love and resilience. By studying psychology, he can gain deeper insights into the science behind these emotions.

Academia’s Interest in Lamar

Just as Lamar is interested in psychology, academia is interested in him. In addition to the UCLA course on DAMN., universities like Harvard and Columbia have incorporated his work into literature and hip-hop studies.

What This Means for the Future of Hip-Hop and Education

Lamar’s decision to take classes at UCLA might inspire other artists to engage with formal education. Hip-hop has always been about storytelling, and academia provides tools to refine and deepen that storytelling.

Could we see more rappers pursuing higher education? Will universities develop more courses on hip-hop and psychology? Kendrick Lamar is setting a precedent, proving that:

Education and creativity go hand in hand.
Lifelong learning is key to artistic evolution.
Hip-hop belongs in academic spaces.

Final Thoughts

Kendrick Lamar’s presence at UCLA isn’t just a fun viral moment—it’s a powerful statement about intellectual curiosity and artistic growth. By enrolling in psychology courses, he has demonstrated that even the greatest minds can still learn, expand, and evolve.

As fans, we can only speculate on how these studies will influence his future work, but one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar is not just a rapper—he’s a thinker, a philosopher, and a lifelong student of the human experience.

And that is exactly what makes him one of the most important artists of our time.