DJ Babu, a pioneering figure in the world of DJing and hip-hop culture, will join the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University with this fall's launch of the conservatory's new Bachelor of Music in hip-hop, the first performance-based degree program of its kind in the country. Babu rose to prominence as a member of the esteemed Beat Junkies crew in the late 1990s, showcasing his exceptional turntablism skills and innovative approach to DJing. Operating under the alias "The Turntablist," DJ Babu produced the influential battle record Super Duck Breaks in 1996, which became a cornerstone in the turntablism genre. Beyond his solo endeavors, DJ Babu is a part of the iconic hip-hop group Dilated Peoples alongside Evidence and Rakaa. Together, they released numerous acclaimed albums and singles, establishing themselves as one of the most respected acts in the industry.