Chance the Rapper Gives Commencement Speech at Dillard University
Chance the Rapper delivered a thoughtful commencement speech to Dillard University graduates in New Orleans this past Saturday.
He praises Beyoncé in his speech, after reflecting on her legendary Coachella performance. Chance uses Queen B’s moment of greatness to urge the graduates to push harder in themselves and what’s around them to be better. He says that “Right now, the greatest performer who ever lived might very well be in this audience. And that person has something Beyoncé never had. They got Beyoncé.”
Chance says, “The highest form of respect that we can pay to the people who came before us, the people who sacrificed for us and gave us everything, is to be better than them.” He pushes that idea, saying “Our parents, grandparents, ancestors sacrificed, not so that we can keep doing the same thing that they were doing but so that we can be better.”
Me with President Kimbrough presenting the Honorary Degree to our Commencement Speaker Chancelor Bennett. (Also know as Chance the Rapper). #DillardGrad18 #MYDU pic.twitter.com/M8whftr56M
— Robert Collins (@DrRobertCollins) May 12, 2018
The rapper received an honorary degree for his service and philanthropy for youth. Just last year, his SocialWorks organization raised $2.2 million for the art programs for Chicago Public Schools. Chance said it was his first time attending a college graduation.
