About the Rapping Professor
DR. AARON X. SMITH
Dr. Aaron Smith, widely celebrated as "The Rapping Professor," represents a powerful intersection of academic excellence and cultural relevance. A proud alumnus of Temple University, a loving father of two, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., he serves as a distinguished professor of African American Studies. His work transcends the classroom, positioning him as a vital commentator on current events and social justice issues. Dr. Smith's unique pedagogy leverages the rhythm and rhetoric of Hip-Hop to engage students and audiences alike, making complex socio-political theories accessible and impactful.With a career dedicated to intellectual strength and professional credibility, Dr. Smith is a sought-after speaker for keynote addresses, panels, and media consultations. His mission is to foster deep understanding of the African American experience while providing contemporary solutions to pertinent social challenges. Organizations book Dr. Smith for his authoritative voice, culturally aware perspective, and his unparalleled ability to bridge scholarly research with the pulse of the community.
EDUCATION, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
•EdD, Higher Education | 2027
•MEd, Higher Education | 2020
- DOCTORAL DISSERTATION Title: Impacts of Microaggressions on Black Women in Higher Education
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
•PhD, African American Studies | 2015
•MA, African American Studies | 2011
- DOCTORAL DISSERTATION Title: An Afrocentric Analysis of the Oratory of President Barack Obama: Symbolic Metaphors in Text and Person
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
•MA, Liberal Arts | 2009
•BA, Asian Studies | 2003
- All academic degrees conferred by Temple University between 2003 and 2027.
POSITIONS HELD
Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Africology and African American Studies
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2018-Present
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Teach 25 - 255 students in undergraduate courses
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Promote intellectual discourse around the information provided
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Create syllabi and course materials for class
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Facilitate an on-line learning environment assisting in the development of critical thinking skills and cooperative work
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Implement various technological elements including Blackboard, Canvas, University Email, Microsoft Office Suite, YouTube, Prezi, and Zoom
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Plan, facilitate, and promote annual Hip-Hop Conference for the department
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Temple University | 2021-2022
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Coordinated advising and served as the initial point of contact forall undergraduate student concerns not subject to the grievance procedure
Director of Teaching Assistants
Department of Africology and African American Studies
Temple University | 2015-2018
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Led, counseled, and developed a team of ten teaching assistants per the stated guidelinesin the departmental bylaws
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Teaching Instruction
Temple University | 2015-2018
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Taught 25 - 255 students in undergraduate courses
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Promoted intellectual discourse around the information provided
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Created syllabi and course materials for class
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Created five original courses within three years
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Facilitated an on-line learning environment assisting in the development of critical thinking skills and cooperative work
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Implemented various technological elements including Blackboard, University Email, Microsoft Office Suite, YouTube, and Prezi
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Brought international attention to the distinguished department through innovative methodologies and pedagogies along with conference, media, and over 100 million online views
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Created an annual Hip-Hop Conference for the department featuring artists and industry professionals
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Temple University | 2013-2015
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Taught 25 - 50 students in undergraduate courses
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Promoted intellectual discourse around the information provided
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Created syllabi and course materials for class
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Facilitated an on-line learning environment assisting in the development of critical thinking skills and cooperative work
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Implemented various technological elements including Blackboard, University Email, Microsoft Suite, YouTube, and Prezi
Teaching Assistant
Temple University | 2011-2013
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Taught undergraduate online and in-class courses
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Created syllabi and course materials for class
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Served as Editor in Chief of the Departmental Newsletter, Djehuti and Seshat
Publications
BOOKS
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Smith, Aaron X, and Asante, Molefi K., Reading Du Bois: An Afrocentric Critique of the Color Line, State University of New York Press, 2025
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Smith, Aaron X., Afrocentricity: Generations of Theory in Practice. An edited volume. Universal Write Publications, 2025
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Smith, Aaron X., Afrocentricity in Afrofuturism, Towards an Afrocentric Future. An edited volume. University Press of Mississippi, 2023
BOOK CHAPTERS
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Smith, Aaron X., “Donald J. Trump in the Whirlwind of Populism and Globalization,” In Trump’s America, Global Politics and Democracy, Edited by Adebowale Akande and Bruce E. Johansen, Springer Nature Global Publishers, 2023
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Smith, Aaron X., “Santeria (African Cultural Ideas) Under Attack: The Attempted Erasure of Lucumi and Extinguishing of a Cultural Candle,” In Racial Inequality, Xenophobia, and Populism: New Forms of Racism in the United States and the Globe , Edited by Adebowale Akande and Bruce E. Johansen, Springer Nature Global Publishers, 2022
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Smith, Aaron X., “African Rhetoric and Literature: A Journey through Words and Writings,” In A Companion to African Rhetoric, Edited by Segun Ige, Lexington Books, 2021
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Smith, Aaron X., “The Death of the Arrogance of Ignorance,” McFarland and Company, 2021
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Smith, Aaron X., “When the Soul Leaves the Body Because Justice is Absent in the Streets:
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Reflections on the Murder of George Floyd,” Edited by George D. Yancy, Lexington Books, 2021
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Smith, Aaron X., “Boundless Baldwin: Assessing the Creative Freedom of a Cultural Critic,”In Contemporary Critical Thought in Africology and Africana Studies , Edited by Molefi Kete Asante and Clyde E. Ledbetter, Jr., Lexington Books, Pages 63-74, 2017
BOOK REVIEWS
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Smith, Aaron X., Review of Kenneth J. Meier and Amanda Rutherford’s The Politics of African American Education: Representation, Partnership, and Educational Equity, In The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 89, No. 4, Fall 2020.
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Smith, Aaron X. , Review of Daudi Ajani ya Azibo’s Azibo’s Metatheory of African Personality:
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A Holistic, Evolutionary, African-centered, Racial Theory with Quantitative Research and
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Case Study Support, In Journal of Black Studies, Manuscript ID JBS-18-0221, Pages 423- 427, January 2019.
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Smith, Aaron X., Review of Molefi Kete Asante’s African Pyramids of Knowledge: Kemet Afrocentricity and Africology, New York: Universal Write Publications, In Journal of Pan African Studies, Pages 378-381, March 2017
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Smith, Aaron X., Review of Ana Monteiro Ferreira’s The Demise of the Inhuman: Afrocentricity, Modernism, and Postmodernism, Albany: SUNY Press, In Journal of Pan African Studies, Pages 537-538, March 2016
ENCYCLOPEDIA ENTRIES
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Smith, Aaron X., “Black Classic Press,” Pages 253-255 in the SAGE Reference Project: The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America, Edited by Mwalimu J. Shujaa and Kenya J. Shujaa, Thousand Oaks, California, 2015.
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Smith, Aaron X., “Maleness, Masculinity and Manhood,” Pages 549-551 in the SAGE Reference Project: The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America, Edited by Mwalimu J. Shujaa and Kenya J. Shujaa, Thousand Oaks, California, 2015
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Smith, Aaron X., “Murder of Octavius Catto” in The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, 2015
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Smith, Aaron X., “Running Away as Resistance to Enslavement,” Pages 744-746 in the SAGE Reference Project: The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America, Edited by Mwalimu J. Shujaa and Kenya J. Shujaa, Thousand Oaks, California, 2015
SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ENTRIES
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Smith, A. X. (2025). The HBCU Imperative: How Blacks Can Unite. Research Issues in Contemporary Education, 10(1), 178-196.
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Smith, Aaron X. Smith, An Afrocentric Source Code for Afrofuturism: Welcome to NeoSankofa. Third Stone, 3(1), 6. (2023)
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Smith, Aaron X., “Afrocentricity as the Organizing Principle for African Renaissance,” Interview with Prof. Molefi Kete Asante, Temple University (USA), Vestnik RUDN. International Relations (Russian Journal), Vol 20, No 1 (2020): Decolonization, Neocolonialism and Recolonization: 60th Anniversary of the Year of Africa.
The Temple News article contributor, “Hip-Hop Belongs in the Classroom,”April 2019
https://temple-news.com/hip-hop-belongs-in-the-classroom/
Urban Radio Nation, “Inspirational Graduation Message from WURD Radio Host,” May 2020
http://www.urbanradionation.com/2020/05/inspirational-graduation-message-from.html
Temple Update, “Don Lemon Visits Temple University,” October 2022
https://templeupdate.com/don-lemon-visits-temple-university/
NBC News Negro League connections to Philadelphia February 2025
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/discover-black-heritage/great-story-of-talent-photos-show-rich-history-of-black-baseball-in-philadelphia/4119269/
News Stories and articles
The Temple News, “Temple Faculty, Curators Discuss Juneteenth’s Legacy,” June 2020
https://temple-news.com/temple-faculty-curators-discuss-juneteenths-legacy/
The Philadelphia Tribune, “WURD's ‘Rapping Professor’ to Start New Role at Station,” May 2019
https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/wurds-rapping-professor-to-start-new-role-at-station/article_872e35c4-9c3c-558e-9089-e5b1e628b22a.html
The Philadelphia Tribune, “Getting to Know the ‘Rapping Professor,’ Dr. Aaron Smith,”October 2018
https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/getting-to-know-the-rapping-professor-dr-aaron-smith/article_4a85ac29-6820-5aa5-a02a-ebac34ca68b5.html
Temple Update, “Temple’s Rapping Professor,” April 2017
https://templeupdate.com/temples-rapping-professor/
The Philadelphia Tribune, “Broadcaster Don Lemon shows emotional side during talk at Temple U.,” October 2022
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/broadcaster-don-lemon-shows-emotional-side-during-talk-at-temple-u/article_f6e278bf-d598-59b4-a2e3-499448466eb6.html
NBC 10 Philadelphia, “Temple Professor Raps for Grads,” May 2017
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/temple-professor-raps_philadelphia/15093/
The Tab Temple,“A Temple Professor Was on Wild‘NOut Last Night and He Won a Challenge to be Featured on the Show,” March 2017
https://thetab.com/us/temple/2017/03/17/temple-professor-wild-n-last-night-wonchallenge-featured-show-9983
The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Temple Professor and Brother Win $1 Million on Fox’s ‘Beat Shazam,’” May 2019
https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/temple-professor-brother-win-1-million-foxs-beat-shazam-20190521.html
The Stroud Courier, “Black History Month Keynote Speaker Speaks on Afrocentrism and Hip-Hop,” February 2019
http://thestroudcourier.com/2019/02/14/black-history-month-keynote-speaker-speaks-on-afrocentrism-and-hip-hop/
Temple Now, “Soar Time: Behind the Scenes,” The Rapping Professor’s Graduation Song, May 2017
https://news.temple.edu/news/2017-05-04/aaron-smith-graduation-song-behind-scenes
The Temple News, “Remove Rizzo, Better Represent the City,” August 2016
https://temple-news.com/remove-rizzo-better-represent-city/