Interview with Kalyan Ali Balaven by Khan Y. Umbasikditri
The story of Professor A.L.I. is less about a stage name and more about a movement. For Kalyan Ali Balaven, it was never just about rhyming—it was about creating a pedagogy rooted in authenticity, love, and intellect. Seven years ago, he stepped away from the mantle, leaving it for his students to carry forward. Today, as a Head of School, he reflects on that journey and its echoes in progressive education.
Q: When you first created the identity of “Professor A.L.I.,” what was your vision?
A: At its heart, Professor A.L.I. was about marrying the educator with the M.C. Hip-Hop became my classroom, and rhyme became my chalkboard. But more than that, A.L.I. stood for Authenticity, Love, and Intellect—values I wanted to center in my work as both a teacher and an artist. Over time, it grew into more than just my nom de plume; it became a collective space for artists to hone their storytelling craft.
Seven years ago, I stepped away from the mantle. I wanted my students—who had been inspired by this fusion of education and art—to carry it forward. Professor A.L.I. no longer belongs to me; it belongs to the movement of young artists who continue to use rhyme as a vehicle for truth.
Q: You also created a groundbreaking course: “Beats, Rhymes, and Life.” Can you talk about that?
A: That course was an extension of the same philosophy. Beats, Rhymes, and Life became the first UC-approved course on Hip-Hop History, and it’s now more than a decade old. I designed it not just to study music, but to study life—the politics, social justice struggles, and identities woven into Hip-Hop. Through the Blended Consortium, students across schools were able to take it, making Hip-Hop an academic subject without losing its authenticity.
The goal was always to elevate Hip-Hop as both art and history, while also giving students a mirror in which they could see their own stories reflected.
Q: You once sat down with Kevin Powell for a conversation on Hip-Hop. What stands out from that exchange?
A: Talking with Kevin Powell was a full-circle moment. He embodies Hip-Hop’s social conscience, and our dialogue touched on how deeply the art form is tied to identity, justice, and culture. Hip-Hop has never just been entertainment; it has always been a form of testimony.
Watch the interview here:
Whole Student Podcast Episode hosted by Kal Balaven with Kevin Powell
Q: What have you been up to more recently?
A: These days, my work looks different but is deeply connected to that same philosophy of Authenticity, Love, and Intellect. I lead Dunn School as Head of School, where I’m focused on progressive education and the whole student approach. It’s about shaping not just learners, but whole human beings with a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose.
I also recently published Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity: What I Learned from Mr. Lindsey to Teach and Lead in the Age of AI, which you can find at teachinghumanity.com. The book was even featured on Daily Kos’s list of Top 10 Books on AI.
Ironically, it was at San Francisco State—at an event called Original Rap—inspired by my teammates who threw their names into the hat, that I first began to rhyme. My mentor, Mr. Lindsey, later encouraged me to merge my love of education with the craft of Hip-Hop. That decision eventually led me to create Professor A.L.I. What’s beautiful now is seeing my students step into that space, creating art of their own. That’s the legacy I cherish most.
Beyond writing, I am still podcasting. The Whole Student Podcast just wrapped its last season, which was co-hosted by Mo Pritzker. We had phenomenal guests like Glenn Close and Isiah Thomas– and the show itself has naturally evolved into The Education Equation co-hosted by Mo and me.
Q: Do you still rhyme?
A: I do—but today, it’s mostly in the service of students. The mic for me was always about teaching, and now I use it when it helps amplify their voices. From rhyming graduation speeches for students as part of my time at The Athenian School, to what I do for whole classes during commencement at Dunn School– I love to take my passion for writing rhymes to showcase our students’ authentic journeys.
Here’s an example of that work:
Kalyan Balaven Speaking at Commencement 2023
Kalyan Balaven Speaking at Commencement 2024 (w/ a special nod to Mr. Lindsey)
Kalyan Balaven Speaking at Commencement 2025
Closing Reflection
The mantle of Professor A.L.I. may have been set down seven years ago, but the values it stood for—Authenticity, Love, and Intellect—remain at the core of everything Kalyan Balaven does today. From pioneering Hip-Hop in the classroom to leading a school with a whole student vision, his journey shows how art and education are never separate. They are, and always will be, braided together.
Professor A.L.I. 