Montreal’s Concordia University to teach course on Drake’s career
Drake’s career to be taught in Concordia University course
Drake has inspired countless artists throughout his career. Now, his influence on music, branding, media, and culture will become the focus of a university course. Beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, Concordia University will offer a class dedicated to one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
Professor, author, and rapper Yassin ‘Narcy’ Alsalman will teach “Drake: Media, Myth, and Manhood” as part of the university’s broader “Hip-Hop: Past, Present & Future” curriculum. The announcement quickly attracted attention from music fans and academics alike. It also highlighted the continued expansion of hip-hop studies in higher education.
The class examines Drake’s career beyond chart-topping singles and platinum albums. It also explores masculinity, celebrity culture, capitalism, media representation, and the business of modern music. Students will study how one artist transformed into a worldwide cultural brand while navigating constant public attention.
Rather than simply celebrating Drake’s success, the course examines the forces that shaped his career. It also explores the cultural conversations he has influenced for nearly two decades. That approach reflects how universities increasingly view hip-hop as an important subject worthy of thoughtful academic discussion.
A Deep Dive Into Drake’s Career
Throughout the semester, students will analyze Drake’s extensive catalog and follow his artistic evolution from his early mixtapes to his rise as one of the biggest stars in the world.
The curriculum explores themes that appear throughout Drake’s music. Those topics include vulnerability, fame, relationships, ambition, identity, emotional honesty, and success. These subjects have helped distinguish him from many of his rap peers while creating conversations that extend well beyond music.
Students will also study the rise of the OVO Sound brand. They will examine how Drake transformed his music career into a global business empire that spans fashion, festivals, media partnerships, sports affiliations, and artist development.
The course also explores how artists balance creative expression with commercial success. Students will discuss how streaming, branding, and social media have changed the modern music industry while examining Drake as one of its defining case studies.
Narcy Brings Real-World Experience
Yassin “Narcy” Alsalman brings both academic knowledge and firsthand industry experience into the classroom.
Outside of teaching, Narcy has built a respected career as a rapper, writer, and cultural commentator. His work often examines identity, politics, history, and contemporary music. That background allows him to connect scholarly research with real experiences from inside hip-hop culture.
This also is not his first artist-focused course. Narcy has previously taught classes centered on Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. Those courses examined each artist’s creative output, public image, and cultural impact.
Narcy also has a longstanding relationship with members of the OVO camp. He has interviewed Drake’s longtime producer Noah ’40’ Shebib multiple times over the years. Those conversations provide valuable insight into the creative process behind many of Drake’s biggest records.
Literature Meets Hip-Hop
The course combines music with influential academic writings.
According to reports, students will read works by renowned feminist scholar bell hooks alongside writings from French philosopher Guy Debord.
Those readings give students theoretical frameworks for discussing celebrity, identity, gender, consumer culture, media, and spectacle. The course pairs Drake’s music with established academic texts. It encourages students to think critically about how popular culture reflects larger social trends.
Instead of treating hip-hop solely as entertainment, the class presents it as an important lens for understanding society, economics, politics, and cultural identity.
Hip-Hop’s Place in Higher Education
Drake’s course joins a growing number of university classes dedicated to hip-hop studies.
Over the past decade, colleges and universities have increasingly recognized rap music as an important field of academic research. Students now study influential artists, landmark albums, regional movements, and the social issues reflected throughout hip-hop history.
That growth reflects hip-hop’s transformation from an underground cultural movement into one of the world’s most influential art forms.
Some critics worry that institutionalizing hip-hop could distance it from its grassroots origins. However, many educators believe studying the culture preserves its history. They also argue that these courses encourage meaningful conversations about race, economics, politics, gender, media, and artistic innovation.
Classes like “Drake: Media, Myth, and Manhood” continue that tradition. They examine not only the music but also the systems that shape modern artists and the industries surrounding them.
Fans Are Already Following the Course
Although enrollment will mainly be limited to Concordia students, many Drake fans already want to follow the classroom discussions.
Narcy recently shared more information about the course on social media. He also reposted a TikTok video that explained the curriculum in greater detail.
As the semester unfolds, fans will likely follow conversations about Drake’s lyrics, public image, business ventures, and influence on contemporary masculinity. Given the passionate debates surrounding his music, the class will likely spark discussion far beyond campus.
The possibility of unexpected guest speakers has also generated excitement. While nothing has been announced, some fans have even wondered whether members of the OVO team could eventually participate in a classroom discussion.
Drake Continues Making History
The announcement arrives during another remarkable chapter in Drake’s career. His latest album, ICEMAN, has now spent four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He also made chart history when Habibti and Maid Of Honour debuted simultaneously in the Billboard 200’s top three. Drake became the first artist ever to accomplish that feat, adding another milestone to one of hip-hop’s most decorated careers.
Beyond the charts, Drake continues expanding his influence across music, business, fashion, sports, and popular culture. He recently celebrated Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Toronto Raptors and has continued supporting Toronto businesses through exclusive events and community partnerships.
Those accomplishments help explain why universities continue studying Drake’s music and career through an academic lens. His influence extends beyond streaming numbers or awards. It reaches branding, marketing, media, celebrity culture, and the evolution of hip-hop itself.
Whether Drake ever visits the classroom remains unknown. However, the course already represents another milestone in the growing recognition of hip-hop within higher education. As universities continue expanding their music studies programs, Drake’s career stands as one of the defining cultural stories of the modern era. That makes “Drake: Media, Myth, and Manhood” more than just another elective. It offers students an opportunity to examine one of music’s most influential figures through history, business, media, and culture while exploring the broader impact of hip-hop on society.