Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj are, without a doubt, two of the most influential artists in the game but they aren’t necessarily known for advancing education via their music. However, a Florida education company recently bestowed the pair with Teacher Of The Year Awards, and the CEO of the company stands by the seemingly bizarre decision.

The Better Education Place, nestled in South Florida, awarded the Best Male and Best Female Teacher awards to Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, who both beat out actual educators, judged across several categories. From the media release: “Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj have won quite a few music awards this year. Now they can add one more award to their mantle, teacher of the year. Better Education Place an education company based in South Florida announced the winners of its first annual teacher of the year awards.”

Better Education Place president Melvin El, who also doubles as education-themed rapper MC Ant Tanna, believes that Wayne and Minaj have the tools teachers need to command a classroom. “Apparently students are drawn in by the ‘swagger,’ said Mr. El. “If you are a teacher today and you don’t have any swagger you are going to struggle to get your students attention. It turns out a teacher can learn a lot from Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.”

BEP did acknowledge that Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj have lacked a bit in the content portion of the competition, but the company's coupling of hip-hop and education is at the core of their business, thus deeming the rappers worthy of awards.