Questlove Heads to the Classroom for 'Classic Albums' Course at NYU

Rolling Stone – Wed, Oct 17, 2012 9:55 AM EDT

Inspired by an NPR intern who gave Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back a dismissive review this summer, Questlove will be teaching a course called "Classic Albums" at New York University next spring semester, Billboard reports. The Roots drummer will share the course with Universal Music Enterprises vice president of A&R Harry Weinger.

According to NYU professor Jason King, the class will explore the meaning behind "classic" or "seminal" albums and why they are considered as such. The course will also dive into music, lyrics, production and business aspects like promotion and marketing to give a more substantial context as to why these albums are considered "classic."

"Classic Albums" will examine records including Led Zeppelin's IV, Prince's Dirty Mind, Michael Jackson's Off The Wall, the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique, Aretha Franklin's Lady Soul, Sly and the Family Stone's Stand! and There's a Riot Goin' On, and others.

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