Kendrick Lamar’s Photos at UCLA Go Viral: What’s He Studying?
As the images spread online, UCLA responded with a clever nod to its academic reputation
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 09: Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Kendrick Lamar has once again captured the internet’s attention—not for his chart-topping hits or his iconic Super Bowl performance, but for his time as a student at UCLA. Recently surfaced photos show the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper sitting in a university classroom back in 2022, sparking intrigue and admiration among fans.
As the images spread online, UCLA responded with a clever nod to its academic reputation, stating, «Photos from 2022, but the lesson stays the same—UCLA is where you level up.» The revelation adds another layer to Lamar’s already multifaceted persona, proving that even one of the greatest rappers of all time values education and self-improvement.
This isn’t Lamar’s first brush with academia. In June 2024, he made a surprise appearance at Compton College’s graduation ceremony, delivering an impassioned speech to students from his hometown. He praised their achievements, emphasizing the importance of using education as a tool for empowerment and change.
Lamar, who made history in 2018 as the first hip-hop artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music with DAMN., has long been recognized for his deep, introspective lyricism and social consciousness. His newly unearthed UCLA connection only reinforces his dedication to continuous learning—both inside and outside the classroom.
For fans, the viral moment is just another reason to admire Kendrick Lamar—not just as a rapper, but as a thinker, a leader, and a lifelong student of the game.
Ana Rojas
Periodista en LOS40, coordinando LOS40 USA y...Periodista en LOS40, coordinando LOS40 USA y colaborando también en El País. Cubro temas de música, cultura y sociedad, con especial enfoque en EEUU y en el panorama de la música latina y urbana. He trabajado y escrito para medios como NYT y The Guardian, además de participar en investigaciones junto a LighthouseReports y la Fundación porCausa.