The pioneering turntablist joins groundbreaking new Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program at Johns Hopkins University.
The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University has announced that DJ Babu – a pioneering force in hip-hop and turntablism – will join the faculty of its new Bachelor of Music in Hip Hop program. Launching this fall, the program marks the first performance-based degree in hip-hop offered at a U.S. conservatory, continuing Peabody’s long tradition of innovation in music education. This past August, Babu took part in our DJX Show at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City, imparting wisdom during seminars and showcasing his talent during the show and its After Dark events.
Rising to fame in the late 1990s as part of the Beat Junkies crew, DJ Babu is known for his groundbreaking turntablism techniques and competition wins, including the Vestax World Championships and International Turntablist Federation titles. His renowned “Blind Alley” routine redefined beat juggling, while his influential 1996 battle record Super Duck Breaks remains a foundation in DJ culture. Babu is also a member of the acclaimed hip-hop group Dilated Peoples, further solidifying his status as a global innovator and master of the artform.
“DJ Babu’s contributions to hip-hop culture, both as a performer and mentor, have left an indelible mark on the global DJing community,” The Peabody Post mentions in its announcement. His role at Peabody will place him alongside an impressive faculty that includes Lupe Fiasco as a distinguished visiting artist, beatboxer and producer Max Bent, and program leader Wendel Patrick. The new curriculum blends performance, technology, and history, with classes in rapping, beatboxing, producing, and turntablism, offering students a comprehensive education in hip-hop as not just an artform, but a cultural movement.