SMU appoints Adam Bradley as Duwain E. Hughes, Jr. Distinguished Chair of English
A Harvard-trained literary critic and bestselling author, his work spans African American literature, hip-hop poetics, song lyric as literary form and the legacy of Ralph Ellison.
DALLAS (SMU) – SMU has appointed acclaimed literary scholar and cultural critic Adam Bradley as the next Duwain E. Hughes, Jr. Distinguished Chair of English, effective August 1, 2026.
Bradley joins SMU from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is professor of English and African American Studies and founding director of the Laboratory for Race & Popular Culture (the RAP Lab). A Harvard-trained literary critic and bestselling author, his work spans African American literature, hip-hop poetics, song lyric as literary form and the legacy of Ralph Ellison.
“Adam Bradley is a transformative scholar whose work bridges literature, music and culture in compelling ways,” said Janan Jayawickramarajah, Elisabeth Martin Armstrong Dean of Dedman College. “His national profile and commitment to public-facing scholarship reflect the kind of leadership that strengthens SMU’s role in advancing the humanities today.”
Bradley is the author of several influential books, including Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop, The Anthology of Rap, The Poetry of Pop and Air Jordan, a cultural history of the iconic brand. He is also a writer-at-large for The New York Times T Magazine and co-curated the GRAMMY Museum’s exhibition “Hip Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit.”
"Adam Bradley’s work shows how the humanities can move across literature, music, and culture to engage broader public conversations,” said Dr. Christopher González, chair of the Department of English and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Endowed Chair at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. “He brings a way of thinking about language and form that connects scholarship to lived experience, along with a level of distinction that reflects the significance of this appointment and elevates our department across Dedman College, SMU, and the communities we serve.”
At SMU, Bradley will contribute to the University’s growing emphasis on interdisciplinary humanities research and public-facing scholarship, including plans to develop a song lyric initiative exploring the intersection of music, literature and culture.
“I’m excited to join SMU English at this dynamic phase of its growth and evolution,” said Bradley. “When I look at the department, I see a vibrant community of scholars, students and staff members committed to centering literature in everyday life. The English department and the University as a whole are poised for great things in the next few years. I’m ready to play a part in that going forward."
Bradley’s appointment underscores SMU’s continued investment in innovative scholarship and its role in shaping national conversations in the humanities.
SMU is the nationally ranked teaching and research university in the dynamic city of Dallas, and a member of the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference. SMU’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.