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On April 19, a crowd gathered in Durham's CCB Plaza to mourn the passing of Rowdy. The Cypher kicked off at 9:19 PM—a marker of our 919 area code, where Rowdy started his hip-hop journey over a decade ago.

For most college students, a final exam involves reading over notes and reviewing texts, but for 15 UVA students enrolled in a course on hip hop, taking the final was a lot more fun.

“Just listened to the album. S— is dope!” Phonte texted me after he checked it out. “Salute!” I responded with sincere appreciation for his encouraging words. I told him they meant a lot to me, especially coming from him. “Nah, bro. The bars are on point,” he replied. “Much love and respect.” This informal conversation with a highly esteemed rapper – one whose work I have studied and hold in high regard – is perhaps the most resounding affirmation I can ask for as an artis...

As a rap artist who is also a professor of hip-hop, I always make it a point to have my songs reviewed by other artists I admire. So when I released “i used to love to dream” – my latest album – in 2020, I turned to Phonte Coleman, one half of the trailblazing rap group Little Brother. “Just listened to the album. S— is dope!” Phonte texted me after he checked it out. “Salute!” I responded with sincere appreciation for his encouraging words. I told him they meant a lot to me, ...