THE CURRICULUM
9 CORE COURSES
The real hip hop education platform — the craft and the business of music, taught by people who actually lived it.
COURSE 01
BAR STRUCTURE & DELIVERY
Cadence, flow, breath control and pocket.
COURSE 02
MUSIC BUSINESS & PUBLISHING
Royalties, splits, masters and distribution.
COURSE 03
STREET DVD ERA MASTERCLASS
The history and blueprint of independent hip hop media.
COURSE 04
MIXTAPE STRATEGY
Sequencing, rollout and building a movement.
COURSE 05
MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION
Concept to final cut on any budget.
COURSE 06
BRAND BUILDING & SOCIAL
Building an audience that follows you anywhere.
COURSE 07
BEAT SELECTION & A&R
Finding your sound and building a catalog.
COURSE 08
PROMO & MARKETING
Rolling out records with no label budget.
COURSE 09
INDEPENDENT LABEL OPERATIONS
Building a music business that lasts.
EPISODES
ABOUT
WHAT IS RAPPER UNIVERSITY?
Rapper University is a hip hop education network built by Hood Box Office, a cultural media company operating since 2003. While other programs teach surface-level tips, Rapper University goes deep into the business and craft of music — the same lessons that separate artists who last from artists who fade. Students learn directly from industry veterans who lived the street DVD era.
2003
Hood Box Office operating since
9
Core courses
100%
Online — watch anywhere
FREE
Early access, no card needed
THE FACULTY
WHO TEACHES AT RAPPER UNIVERSITY
DEAN • EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
DOPE MAN
Executive Chairman of Hood Box Office — known as Young Dope Man in the early film years. He built the network through the street DVD era and put Pimpin Ken in the game.
BUSINESS & POWER • FORMER PRESIDENT
PIMPIN KEN
Former President of Hood Box Office and the voice of Pimp College. Business, power and personal economics — two decades of lessons.
LABEL & DISTRIBUTION
TRUTH & POWER
Up North Records. Brings the label and distribution side, with experience moving through Universal’s system.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS RAPPER UNIVERSITY?
Rapper University is the hip hop education platform from Hood Box Office. It teaches rappers, producers, and music entrepreneurs the craft and business of music — from bar structure to independent label operations — led by Dean Dope Man with faculty including Pimpin Ken and Truth & Power.
WHO TEACHES AT RAPPER UNIVERSITY?
Rapper University is founded and led by Dope Man — Dean of the school and Executive Chairman of Hood Box Office (known as Young Dope Man in the early years). Faculty includes Pimpin Ken, who teaches business and power, and Truth & Power of Up North Records, who brings the label and distribution side from his work in Universal's system.
HOW MUCH DOES RAPPER UNIVERSITY COST?
Rapper University is currently in early access. Sign up free to be first in line when enrollment opens, and to unlock the full video library. Membership tiers will be announced through Hood Box Office.
IS RAPPER UNIVERSITY ONLINE?
Yes. Rapper University is a fully online hip hop education platform, accessible through Hood Box Office at rapperuniversity.com. Students can watch and learn from anywhere.
WHAT WILL I LEARN AT RAPPER UNIVERSITY?
Rapper University covers bar structure and delivery, music business and publishing, mixtape strategy, music video production, brand building, beat selection, promotion and marketing, and independent label operations — the complete craft and business of a music career.
WHO IS RAPPER UNIVERSITY FOR?
Rapper University is for rappers, singers, producers, content creators, managers, and anyone trying to build a real career in hip hop and the music business.
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