Class is in session. J. Cole went before a room of students at Harvard University on Tuesday to speak as part of a discourse on hip-hop called “The Next Move: A Conversation with J. Cole.”

The Roc Nation rapper took the podium and shared his early influences, which included Kool Moe Dee, Bobby Brown, and Michael Jackson. His stepfather later introduced him to Tupac and other West Coast artists. He also shared his dreams of going to the NBA and the moment he realized that he had a future in rap, which he credits his mother for supporting early on.

An excited Cole was still riding off the high following his lecture. “Harvard, that was ill,” tweeted Cole, adding, “Lemme stop being cool, THAT SHIT WAS AMAZING. Thanks.”

Take a lesson from Professor Cole.

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