UnLearn The World: Hip-Hop, Education, and Reclaiming Culture

INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTO NICOLA ANTONAZZO

From the cyphers of Washington Square Park to classrooms at Harvard and UC Berkeley, UnLearn The World has been on a mission to redefine what it means to be an artist in hip-hop. Growing up in New York City during the late ’90s underground scene, he absorbed the culture from every angle—street teams, legendary venues, and the early stirrings of artists who would go on to shape a generation. Today, he balances that rich foundation with a global perspective, creating music that resonates socially, spiritually, and culturally, while empowering the next wave of artists through his nonprofit, Hip Hop For Change.

In this exclusive interview with Validated, UnLearn The World breaks down his journey—from opening for legends like Dead Prez, Killer Mike, and Big Daddy Kane, to collaborating with Ghostface Killah, Royce Da 5’9”, and Sean Price—and shares the philosophy behind his latest project, Midnight Crysis. He dives into the art of building community, the importance of reclaiming hip-hop from corporate influence, and the radical, personal process of “unlearning the world” to reclaim creative and cultural power. This is hip-hop as more than music—it’s a movement, a classroom, and a blueprint for change.

VALIDATED: Growing up in New York City during the late ’90s underground scene, how did that environment shape your sound and perspective as an artist?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think growing up in the late ’90s in New York was the perfect time to come up around hip-hop. We were exposed to so much — so many different styles, sounds, and approaches to the culture and the art form. Hip-hop was growing up at the same time we were. This was an era where you not only had Bad Boy and the whole Biggie, East Coast–West Coast thing, but you were also witnessing the early versions of DMX and Eminem — the introduction of artists who would go on to shape the culture as it moved into the 2000s.

For me, coming up in New York meant being completely immersed in the culture. I was on street teams for Bad Boy Records and Loud Music, and I had friends who worked at Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. By the time I graduated high school, I was working at Warner Music. I was absorbing both the industry and the rap culture firsthand, while also spending time in the underground scene — places like the Nuyorican Poets Café and the Knitting Factory, watching artists like Jean Grae and Pumpkinhead perform. I was at the cyphers and battles happening in Washington Square Park. All of that was happening simultaneously, and I was taking it all in, becoming a true student of the game.

It made me really appreciate hip-hop — seeing it from both a cultural and commercial perspective — and just being part of that era felt like being part of history. It all had a huge impact on my development as a person and as an artist, and it continues to drive the way I approach things today.

VALIDATED: You came up during an era where lyricism and authenticity defined hip-hop. How do you balance maintaining that integrity while still reaching new audiences today?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think hip-hop is a frequency that people tap into — if they’re looking for it. You have to want to be inspired and become part of something larger than yourself. I tap into that frequency when I perform, when I write, and when I step into the booth. My brand of hip-hop songwriting is deeply rooted in trying to give people a feeling — the same feeling you might’ve had the first time you heard Nas, or the feeling you got listening to Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, or any of those albums we love and revere because they gave us emotion. Those albums gave us presence — a heightened sense of awareness that pulled us in — and that’s always been my approach to crafting songs and lyrics.

On some songs, I might be super lyrical and technical, giving you everything a craftsman MC would give. But on others, I have the awareness and confidence to pull back — to create more of a vibe, or what people call a vibe now — to focus on energy rather than intricacy. I’m a lyricist at my core, but I also understand the psychology of how people consume music today and what keeps them listening all the way through. Ultimately, I’m trying to make people feel something — to speak to an experience that resonates on that same frequency that is hip-hop.

VALIDATED: You’ve opened for legends like Dead Prez, Killer Mike, and Big Daddy Kane. What did those early touring experiences teach you about stage presence and connecting with crowds?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: Touring with all of those artists and doing shows with so many well-known names really taught me the grind of being an artist — going from show to show, city to city, packed in a car with your friends, chasing the dream. That experience showed me what the hustle truly looks like.

But more than anything, I think my real growth came from hosting a local rap cypher in San Francisco for years called Return of the Cypher. Even though I’m from New York, hosting that event every Sunday for five years gave me the stage IQ I needed to become a top-tier performer. Performing and hosting weekly built a level of performance awareness that I don’t think many emerging artists — or even some established ones — really have. That consistency, paired with my enthusiasm, is what makes my live shows a one-of-a-kind experience.

Watching legends like KRS-One, Ghostface, and Mobb Deep perform night after night also had a huge influence on me. You can’t help but absorb their techniques — things like not rapping over your vocals, knowing how to move, interact, and have fun on stage. Even though I have a solid grasp of what I bring as a performer, I’m constantly observing, learning, and finding new ways to get better.

VALIDATED: You’ve collaborated with heavyweights like Ghostface Killah, Royce Da 5’9”, and the late Sean Price on The God That Sins. How did those collaborations come about, and what was the creative energy like during that process?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I went about getting these collaborations in a very intentional manner. I wanted to work with people I had access to—whether it was through a firsthand experience, a mutual friend, or another practical connection. But beyond that, I also wanted to make sure I had the right records to get those verses from them.

That’s part of being a producer—crafting the experience of the song. I didn’t want to just get a verse from a well-known artist and throw them on any beat. I wanted to make sure the song sounded good and that my verse was going to be just as strong as theirs, if not better, because I’m lyrically competing with heavyweights.

It was important to me that each track felt as organic and authentic as possible, to give it the kind of energy that audiences could really feel and enjoy. This is a turning point in my career—being able to work with these artists and have verses from them. Knowing that, I wanted to take the opportunity to truly show up and establish myself as a lyricist, songwriter, and artist.

VALIDATED: “The God That Sins” blends spirituality, struggle, and storytelling. What inspired the concept behind the album, and what message did you hope listeners would take from it?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: That album was one of the most well-intentioned projects I’ve ever worked on. I got the concept from one of the lines in the very first song, which eventually became the title of the album. On the opening track, “Walk On Fire,” I say the line, “talking to the God that sins within is my new religion.” For me, that was a pivotal bar, and I wanted to explore that philosophy throughout the project.

Human beings are the god that sins. We have God within us—we have the capacity to be vessels for the divine and for universal consciousness to experience life. But at the same time, we’re a creation that loves to destroy. I wanted to play with those ideas and explore those concepts in a way that felt accessible, rooted in really dope hip-hop music, while also giving listeners something deeper—more substance in the storytelling and the spiritual concepts I touch on, without it ever feeling preachy.

I was weaving a very fine thread through all of these ideas, dancing on that line between spirituality and street realism. That was the challenge—and it’s what made the album so fun to create. I think the audience responded exactly how I hoped they would, considering how well-received it was. By far, it’s been my most critically acclaimed album to date, and with the new project I’m working on, I’m hoping to exceed those expectations even further.

VALIDATED: Both “Uncanny Behavior” and “God’s Favorite” charted internationally. How did it feel to see your work resonate globally, especially with fans in the UK?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: Yeah, the audience in the U.K. was exactly as everyone told me it would be in Europe. I’m a New York City–born and raised artist who now lives on the West Coast. Sometimes, when you’re in a different region, your sound might not be what people are looking for, so it can be a struggle to stay true to yourself.

In the U.K., they still respect a certain brand of hip-hop that remains countercultural—subversive, rebellious, and revolutionary. The content in my lyrics and the way I approach music fit perfectly with those audiences because they’re still seeking culturally relevant hip-hop. Out there, they’re not using hip-hop to order bottle service, sell hamburgers, or secure brand deals—it’s still counterculture. I think I’ve tapped into a sentiment that’s still alive and thriving in pockets all over the world.

Just because the United States has turned hip-hop into a means of social engineering—using it for brands to make money or as a pipeline for young Black and brown people to end up in prison—doesn’t mean I can’t express this culture in other spaces globally. I want to build international solidarity within an independent artist movement that our culture desperately needs.

We have to reclaim our music and our culture from corporations. We need to return to a mom-and-pop, direct-to-consumer model—building smaller but more fruitful communities. If we can create international coalitions and networks of independent, grassroots artists and businesses, we can still make a sustainable living doing what we love—completely independent of corporations, governments, or anyone looking to exploit our culture for profit or control.

VALIDATED: You’ve toured with GZA from Wu-Tang Clan and the legendary Mobb Deep. What moments from those UK tours stand out the most for you?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think what stands out the most for me after these tours, when I really reflect on them, is the audience—and the connection I made with the people at the shows. I wasn’t on some bougie shit when I went on these tours; I was really roughing it. It was the grind—going from city to city, soaking up the experience—but I made it a point that after my set, I wouldn’t just head backstage to the green room to chill or try to flick it up with the headliners for Instagram clout.

Instead, I’d go out into the crowd after my performance, sell merch, and talk with the people—give them that genuine meet-and-greet experience to really develop a connection and a sense of community. That was the biggest takeaway from both tours: how do I develop community? You can only do that through conversation, by being approachable—not acting like a superstar rapper, but being in the mix with the people. It’s about giving them a great experience during the performance and then connecting with them afterward on a personal, human level so their experience of you is meaningful.

That’s what encourages people to keep following you, supporting your music, buying your merch, and showing up at your next show in their city. It’s all about building that base of support and respect. If you can do that city to city, that’s the best way to grow in this world.

Outside of going viral, that’s what every artist has to do—build community. Too many artists rely on goofy-ass content to get attention instead of focusing on their art, their story, and how it resonates with people—how it becomes part of a larger cultural conversation.

I’m trying to build and be part of a movement that’s bigger than me—not just be an influencer trying to sell you something. I’m giving you perspective on how I see the world around me and sharing ideas on how we can make our lives better.

VALIDATED: As an emcee who’s also an educator, how do you connect the art of lyricism with the classroom experience?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think as an MC and lyricist, I’m first and foremost a performer. I know how to speak publicly—and public speaking is one of the greatest assets an artist can have. Anyone can grab a mic and rap verses, but not everyone can truly communicate. Some rappers aren’t even performing their verses live anymore—they’re just ad-libbing over their vocals at shows, and honestly, it’s disgraceful to the culture.

For me, the ability to communicate ideas is directly connected to the ability to shape and change reality. That’s why it’s so important for me to be able to express my ideas clearly to a wide range of audiences. As an artist, I’m speaking to my demographic—people who grew up with hip-hop, folks in their 20s and 30s who understand certain cultural concepts. But I can also take that same energy into a classroom full of fifth graders and teach them how to use rap as a tool for self-expression.

I was around that same age when I started rapping—telling stories, being poetic, and exploring my creativity. Tapping into my inner child allows me to connect with younger kids in a real and relatable way. On top of that, I have children of my own—a 19-year-old and a 14-year-old—and being a father has been one of my greatest teachers. It’s helped me not only as a parent, but also as an educator to younger students and even to local artist-educators that I mentor.

The role of an artist is to experience, express, inform, educate, and inspire. I love that my students get to see me actively living my art in real time. They see that I’m not just talking about creativity, purpose, and authenticity—I’m embodying it. That authenticity is what makes the connection real and the lessons meaningful.

VALIDATED: Congratulations on your partnership with Roc Nation Distribution! It’s described this as a “first-of-its-kind” deal that not only supports your own music but empowers youth and local artists through Hip Hop For Change. How did this collaboration come together, and what does it represent for independent artists and the future of Hip Hop education?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I’m really excited about this partnership—not just as an opportunity for myself, but for the road it paves for the young people coming behind me. I understand that it’s not just about me as an artist; I represent an entire organization. At Hip Hop For Change, we’re not just developing artists—we’re developing people who will become critical thinkers and leaders within the culture.

All of this led to me setting up a meeting at the Roc Nation offices to share a vision. I told them I believed it would be valuable to expand my personal dashboard and provide access to those same resources for the young people in our programs. When I explained my idea, they loved it—it was a no-brainer. I didn’t go in there to beg for money, an advance, or even a record deal. I came with a vision, and now we’re working together to ensure artists have access to the resources, information, and guidance they need to be grounded in self-determination, while also receiving mentorship and support.

I’ve got execs who are ready and willing to help guide these young people—so shout out to Rell Carterand Parnell over in the A&R department at Roc Nation for really supporting me in building out this idea and program. After I release my next album, Midnight Crysis, we’re going to begin developing a youth album, featuring music from participants in our youth programs.

We all know that artist development in the music industry has been dead for a while. The industry spent the last year firing the very people who had their finger on the pulse of the culture and replacing them with tech bros. So what we’re doing is truly first-of-its-kind—a production imprint through a hip-hop nonprofit organization that guides young people through artist development and personal growth. We’re providing support with rollout strategy, exposure opportunities, paid shows, financial literacy, business model scaling, and wellness coaching—all under a distribution partnership with one of the most culturally relevant and top-tier entertainment companies in the world.

Some of our students are going to be winning Grammys in the next few years—trust me. This is the evolution of hip-hop’s music industry infrastructure—a model that truly speaks to the needs of today’s artists. I’m extremely grateful that my team and I were able to make this happen, and I’m looking forward to releasing a lot of new projects with my young people in 2026.

VALIDATED: The new album Midnight Crysis marks your first release under Roc Nation Distribution. What inspired the title, and what kind of story or message are you bringing with this project?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: With this album, I’m embracing my elder statesman status in hip-hop while still creating music that feels relevant—both sonically and socially. I gave myself room not only to experiment with different flows and formulas, but also to embrace vulnerability. The God That Sins was a godly album—this one is a human album. I’d even say it might be my most honest work to date.

We’re in the mixing and mastering phase now, and I just wrapped the photoshoot, but the more I listen to the album, the more I believe it’s something special. I cover a wide range of social and spiritual topics in ways I haven’t explored for years, while still giving listeners that raw, anthemic hip-hop energy I’m known for.

The title was inspired by a character from the comic book Constantine named Papa Midnight, a witch doctor who moves between the worlds of spirits and humans. Considering the social and political crises we’re facing in this country—and across the world—I wanted to let my spirituality be the guiding force in how I address politics, while also confronting my own inner demons.

It’s an existential crisis in the form of an album—a reflection of the times, of the spirit, and of the human experience itself.

VALIDATED: You’ve described Midnight Crysis as more than just music—it’s part of a movement. How does the album reflect the themes of growth, resilience, and social empowerment that you’ve built through Hip Hop For Change?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think now more than ever, artists need to be more than just music. On one hand, we’re businesses and business owners—we create and popularize brands, and there’s real financial power in that. But on the other hand, I think it’s just as important for the music and the artist to stand for something. An artist should represent, or be the spokesperson for, something larger than themselves.

For me, it’s always been about growth and transformation. Since I was young, I’ve been dedicated to transforming myself for the better—mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I think other artists could benefit greatly from connecting their artistry to larger causes and cultural conversations. In fact, that’s often what separates the truly great artists from the rest.

Take Kendrick Lamar, for example—how many think pieces about race, identity, and politics have used his music as a point of reference? That’s what earned him the Pulitzer. It’s not only the artistry—it’s the fact that his music speaks to the times we’re living in. My music has always aimed to do the same, starting with honest self-reflection—analyzing the mental, spiritual, and emotional spaces I occupy, and using that as a mirror for society.

Hip Hop For Change is an extension of that philosophy. It’s a movement that recognizes the true power of hip-hop when it’s in the hands of the people who created it—not the corporations.

VALIDATED: Sonically and lyrically, what can fans expect from this project? Are there any collaborations or producers on Midnight Crysis that you’re especially excited for people to hear?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I’ve got a lot of dope features on this album—Styles P, Grafh, and others—plus crazy production from Apollo Brown, Asethic Beats, Buckroll, and many of the producers I worked with on my last project. I’m really excited for the world to hear this album in its entirety—from beginning to end—as a full experience.

I want people to experience my albums the same way they would a memoir or a film. Music is the only creative medium where the industry encourages consumers to take small bites instead of enjoying the whole meal. Imagine going to the movie theater just to watch a minute and a half of a film—that would be absurd. Or imagine reading only ten pages of a novel—there’s no journey, no context. Without the journey and the context, you can’t have the payoff, which is the emotional catharsis—the transformation that happens when you truly engage with a piece of art that moves you.

That’s what I’m aiming for. I want people to be inspired and emotionally moved into action—whether that means becoming more active in their communities or, at the very least, working toward becoming the best version of themselves.

VALIDATED: With all the momentum behind this release, how do you see Midnight Crysis positioning you creatively and culturally within the Roc Nation family?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: The hope is that the momentum of this project catches a wave—that we strike a nerve in the culture so powerfully that the higher-ups recognize the value in partnering with us to scale it up. That’s ultimately what it’s about within the music industry: building your creativity and artistry into a viable business that can grow, because you’ve positioned yourself as a voice that addresses real needs and solves real problems.

I’m not just trying to create moments; I’m trying to create ideas—delivered through emotionally striking art that resonates for generations, not just something people can swipe past on social media.

VALIDATED: You’ve lectured everywhere from UC Berkeley to Harvard. How do you make academic institutions understand that hip-hop isn’t just music—it’s a tool for critical thinking and social change?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: There’s a whole movement within the culture that shows and proves that hip-hop has real value in educational spaces—not just the music, but all the elements of the culture. Each element provides a way for people to express themselves, discover new sources of pride, and develop community—a chance to be amplified and feel seen. This is exactly what young people need to feel inspired and activated to engage in their own education.

This isn’t like 30 years ago, when teachers just had to go along with whatever curriculum the Board of Ed provided. Today, there are spaces all over the country where people are using hip-hop to do incredible work—from conflict resolution to environmental justice.

The best way to get institutions to understand hip-hop’s value is to show them. They need to see it in action. They need to witness the spark in students’ minds when they hear a dope verse on a dope beat in real time—not just through a TikTok screen. That same spark that drew us into this culture in the ’80s and ’90s has to be passed on to the next generation. When administrators and principals see that, they understand this is something that will have a lasting impact.

That’s where I come in. That’s where Hip Hop For Change comes in—or any of the countless hip-hop educators who have dedicated a portion of their careers to the classroom. I consider myself a student of KRS-One in so many ways. We’re simply carrying on tradition and restoring the legacy of resistance and empowerment that was built into hip-hop from the very beginning.

VALIDATED: You received the Follow Your Bliss Award from the San Francisco 49ers Foundation. How did that recognition validate your mission and your journey so far?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: It was definitely a milestone moment. It gave me higher visibility in the Bay Area and beyond. Recognition is important—it validates the work we’re doing and the impact we’re making.

It also created an opportunity for me and my organization to build a relationship with a legendary sports organization. Who knows, I might even make it to the Super Bowl this year! Big salute to the 49ers Foundation for being bold enough to look for candidates to recognize outside of the usual educational spaces.

VALIDATED: With hip-hop turning 50 plus, how do you see its evolution—both the wins and the losses—through the lens of someone who’s lived and taught the culture?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: I think right now, everything in hip-hop is up for grabs. Whatever style you like, you can find it—it’s all happening at the same time. Our legends are super active and putting out classics. The younger generation is still moving the game forward. There’s literally something for everyone.

Artists are also building their own communities, taking music back to a direct-to-consumer model, whether independent or with a major. Meanwhile, you’ve got people like Cardi B pretending to sell incense just to promote music. That highlights why the other elements of the culture—lyricism, DJing, knowledge, community building—need to be celebrated and amplified more. We need to reclaim the culture so that we, as practitioners, tastemakers, and promoters, have control and receive the majority of the revenue.

It was recently reported that hip-hop isn’t in the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in decades. That’s not because the culture isn’t thriving—it’s because those spots are bought and paid for by labels. Labels don’t want to invest in real artists anymore; they’re shifting toward a tech business model, even trying to develop AI artists. Now is the perfect time for us to shift our priorities.

With that said, we have to talk to each other. We need to stop gatekeeping information, stop holding up generational divides, and stop having these tired conversations about “real hip-hop.” There’s no one way to do this—it’s about tapping into the frequency that makes the culture respond. There’s enormous potential for growth, but we also need a self-reckoning and to hold ourselves accountable for our own bullshit.

We have to move away from the toxicity that has been disguised as “authenticity,” which in reality has often been used as a tool to dehumanize us. Difficult conversations need to happen—and they need to happen with love—before we can truly move forward as a culture and ensure that the next 50 years of hip-hop are even stronger than the first 50.

VALIDATED: You’ve been recognized by iHeart Radio and Rolling Stone UK as an artist to watch. With all this momentum, what’s next for UnLearn The World—musically and educationally?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: It’s really about expansion—building a global community in the spirit of hip-hop around the idea of UnLearn The World, not just me as an artist. Those big features on bigger platforms are just opportunities to leverage visibility for bigger plays. Getting in Rolling Stone was never the goal; it’s a means to an end. Most press works the same way. I’m trying to get my story out there so people can connect, and I’m grateful to anyone who believes enough in me to help amplify this message. Whoever can help increase cultural impact, let’s do it!

We’re not just talking music—we’re talking health and wellness, mental health support, mentorship, books, conferences, movies—using art as a tool to express ideas that inspire us to break free from old ways of thinking that no longer serve us. The streets are DONE, you heard me? In these times, artists without substance are going to fall flat without their corporate backing. The reality-show era of hip-hop is fading. Some people want to keep it alive because it’s all they know, but there are still folks out here who remember where this all started: a party in the Bronx for young Black and Brown kids to liberate themselves and tap into a higher power.

That energy is coming back. Whether it’s on a record or in the streets through a nonprofit organization, I want to be on the frontlines of that evolution.

VALIDATED: Your name, UnLearn The World, carries deep meaning. For those just discovering you, what does that name represent today?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: It’s about breaking the oppressive systems that live within you and starting from scratch. Growing up, especially in underserved communities or impoverished neighborhoods, much of what we think about ourselves and the world comes from other people. We develop ideas and attitudes based on survival or simply learning how to live with purpose. Whether it was our parents and how they treated us, our teachers, our older peers, or OGs in the neighborhood, we internalize a lot of beliefs that, at some point, no longer serve us. But letting go can feel impossible, because we’ve built whole identities and reputations around those ideas. In some cases, we’ve even built revenue-generating brands on toxic, capitalist, racist, and sexist systems.

Unlearning the world is about reclaiming your power to define yourself. It starts with breaking conditioning and challenging the brainwashing. We talk a lot about social justice and revolution in hip-hop circles, but we often forget that the change we seek in the world begins inside ourselves. As Tupac said, “Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other.”

What I do as an artist is chronicle that process. I show my struggle to be better, I put it all into my music, my message, and my content. I articulate the goals of the change I want to see—within myself first—so that it can eventually become the reality around me.

VALIDATED: If you could leave one lasting message for the next generation of emcees and educators, what would it be?

UNLEARN THE WORLD: It’s all in my name.