Being a musician takes up a person’s life to the exclusion of all else. So, it is rather surprising when we find out that some of our favorite musicians have studied in a field other than music. It is doubly surprising to know about celebrated musicians who were once the students at art school, and so we would like to share that knowledge with you:

Nicki Minaj
Wanting to become a musical actress, Nicki Minaj went on and studied musical theatre, visual arts, and after terminating her studies she was successful and was cast in Off-Broadway productions. She pursued that track until she finally settled in putting all her efforts in hip-hop. You can look here for Nicki Minaj tickets without service fees to enjoy when she performs live.

John Legend
Having studied English with an emphasis on African American Literature at the University of Pennsylvania, he chose that rather than accepting any of the scholarships that were offered to him, of which Harvard was the one he ignored. While in university he became the Musical Director for Counterparts. He became a music sensation with nine Grammys, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, and so much more. We see the musician and hear his music, but we don’t realize quite what he had before his music.

Chuck D
A rap legend, he had not always been rapping but he had been studying graphic design, and he even went on and got his degree in graphic design from the University of Adelphi in Long Island. It was even before he got discovered and started his road with rapping and the initiation of Public Enemy.

Madonna
Going through University of Michigan School of Music she decided to pursue a career in modern dance, and that was when she moved to New York and started her journey with music. Now, she writes songs, sings and performs. At the same time, she is a businesswoman and an actress.

Carrie Underwood
Known popularly as the American Idol winner of 2005 where she won in the fourth season of the show; Carrie Underwood is much more than just a musician and a pretty face. A songwriter and an actress, she has a degree in Mass Communication. And not only that, but she graduated from the Northeastern State University, Oklahoma as magna cum laude. Her degree is in journalism and has nothing to do with her career as a musician.

Sara Bareilles
A pop singer with five Grammy Awards, this is a musician who is here to stay in the industry. With a degree in Communication Studies, if she ever tires of being a pop singer, she can always find another niche in the same industry.

Gone are the days when you had to have a degree to achieve success, but you must put your efforts behind what you love. So, it is with due respect that we look up to musicians who have not only proved themselves but have a huge fan base and a career to be respected. Of course, there are those who opted to drop out of college and concentrate on their musical careers, and they have gained the appreciation for what they have given us.