Mickey Factz Announced As Professor Of “The Art of the MC” At NYU’s Clive Davis Institute

Mickey Factz is ready to teach the way of the MC as the newest faculty member at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute this fall.

The Bronx-bred rapper has officially joined the New York University music department as an adjunct professor, where he’ll teach a new course titled The Art of the MC starting October 23 for the Fall 2025 semester. Factz will be following in the footsteps of other MCs to join the collegiate landscape, including friend Lupe Fiasco.

The course, previously taught by The Roots frontman Black Thought, dives deep into the craft, culture, and philosophy of emceeing. It gives students an inside look at what it takes to be an elite lyricist. Factz’s recent remarks about MCing have gained him viral popularity, claiming that Lupe Fiasco is a better lyricist than Kendrick Lamar.

With over twenty years in the game, Factz built a reputation as one of rap’s sharpest pens. Coming up during hip-hop’s influential blog era, he earned respect for his wordplay and storytelling, collaborating with artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. His teaching will merge technique and theory, exploring how hip-hop evolved from block parties to the academy.

Mickey Factz Is “The Art of the MC” Professor at NYU Clive Davis Institute

“The course breaks down the DNA of being an MC,” Factz said. “It’s about more than rhymes — it’s culture, rhythm, delivery, and truth. I’m honored to continue the legacy of the greats who came before me. Long live lyricism — class is in session.”

Students enrolled in The Art of the MC will study song structure, freestyle mechanics, stage performance, and the roots of rap’s cultural impact. The seven-week program blends writing with live performance, pushing students to develop authenticity while studying the evolution of hip-hop expression.

JD Samson, associate arts professor and head of performance at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, praised the addition.

“Mickey brings unmatched insight as a lyricist and educator,” Samson said. “His energy and expertise will elevate our program and inspire a new generation of artists.”

Outside NYU, Factz runs Pendulum Ink, a rap education academy he co-founded to preserve and teach the craft of lyricism. His appointment at NYU furthers the connection between hip-hop and higher education, ensuring that MCing is studied and respected for future rhyme scholars.