Chicago’s vibrant hip-hop scene is getting an academic spotlight as local artist Femi Adigun, known universally as Femdot, prepares to lead a new course at DePaul University this fall. Titled “Chicago Culture Through Hip Hop,” the class is part of DePaul’s first-year program, requiring all incoming freshmen and transfer students to take an “Explore” class focused on the city. Femdot’s unique approach will use hip-hop as the primary lens through which students will discover and understand Chicago’s rich cultural tapestry.
Femdot, a proud alumnus of DePaul, views hip-hop not merely as entertainment, but as a profound art form and a legitimate academic discipline deserving of serious study. He articulated his passion for the genre, stating, “I really, really love hip hop as a cultural piece, as a form of language and writing, and as a lens into the world.” This perspective fuels his mission to bring hip-hop into academic spaces, aiming to humanize the experiences often conveyed within the music and apply an intellectual framework to the culture. “Hip hop is intellectual. Writing raps is no different than writing poetry or prose. It takes real skill. I want students to see that Chicago hip hop has a rich history, and that the genre itself deserves to be valued in academic spaces,” Adigun shared.
His journey to the classroom is a testament to his belief in manifestation and consistent effort. Adigun recalled a 2020 interview where he envisioned himself “dropping, like, two classic albums and teaching at somebody’s institution.” Now, that vision is materializing, adding an educator’s hat to his already impressive resume as a musician and nonprofit founder. His mother’s nickname for him, “Professor Fem,” now carries a literal weight as he brings his expertise to his alma mater.
The “Chicago Culture Through Hip Hop” course is designed to be an immersive experience, moving beyond traditional classroom lectures. Adigun plans for students to engage directly with the city, exploring studios where seminal albums were recorded, neighborhoods that nurtured artists, and cultural landmarks that shaped Chicago’s distinctive hip-hop sound. Assignments will involve active listening to music, analyzing lyrical content in parallel with poetry, and contextualizing songs within the socio-political landscapes of their creation. Students will be encouraged to dissect how music makes them feel before and after understanding its narrative.
Femdot’s own background at DePaul, where he pursued a degree in Biological Sciences while minoring in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, has informed his holistic approach to education. He credits his professors for fostering his unique learning style and allowing creative freedom, experiences that now guide his teaching philosophy. Beyond academics, Adigun is deeply committed to community uplift. He founded the Delacreme Scholarship Program, named after his album, to support DePaul students facing financial challenges, reflecting his belief that “the ability to help someone is not reserved for the affluent.”
This academic endeavor is not the only major milestone for the Chicago artist. Adigun also announced the upcoming release of his project, “KING DILLA 2,” scheduled for September 30th, just weeks into the semester. The release adds another layer to his multifaceted career, showcasing his continued dedication to his craft while simultaneously expanding his reach into higher education.
The integration of hip-hop into university curricula is a growing trend, with artists like Chance The Rapper and Lupe Fiasco also engaging with academic institutions as speakers and educators. Femdot’s course at DePaul contributes to this movement, elevating hip-hop culture as a subject worthy of academic rigor and cultural appreciation. By providing a platform for students to delve into the intellectual and artistic depth of hip-hop, especially within the context of Chicago’s influential legacy, Professor Fem is not only teaching a course but also shaping a new understanding of a globally dominant music genre. This initiative highlights how music, particularly hip-hop, serves as a powerful tool for cultural exploration and personal growth, offering students a unique pathway to connect with their city and the broader world through its compelling stories.
