Chance The Rapper To Deliver Commencement Address To Dillard University 2018 Graduates

Chance The Rapper is heading to Dillard University this year to deliver an inspiring commencement speech to the graduating students.

The 24-year-old will be speaking at the campus' historic Avenue of the Oaks on Thursday, May 12, at 8 a.m. Actress and singer Janelle Monae, who will release her new album Dirty Computer this month, was last year's speaker.

The Louisiana-based university announced that the "Cocoa Butter Kisses" rapper will give the commencement address this year through Twitter on Saturday, April 7.

Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, Dillard University President, explained the decision to invite Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancellor Bennett, to speak to the new graduates this year. He said that the rapper is part of a new wave of hip-hop artists who are comfortable in openly discussing his faith.

Dr. Kimbrough also talked about Chance's successful career in music throughout the years.

"He's not signed but a multiple Grammy winner," said the university president.

Kimbrough also noted that Bennett often gives away movie tickets, shoes, awards, and his music.

"[H]e's the artist that your grandmother would love," he added.

Kimbrough teaches ethics class and hip-hop within the university.

Chance The Rapper's Good Heart

Aside from his music, Chance the Rapper has made a name for himself for his generosity. He often uses his fame as a platform to highlight social issues plaguing his community. In 2014, he used the hashtag #savechicago to stop gun violence in his hometown of Chicago. He has also raised over $100,000 to provide sleeping bags for the homeless.

In September 2017, he gave away $2 million to help provide quality education to public school students in Chicago. The donation raised by the New Chance Fund will be spread to 20 schools in the city, each receiving $100,000, over the course of three years

Chance The Rapper's Music

Chance the Rapper already has four mixtapes under his belt. His recent and most successful work Coloring Book managed to land on the number 8 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2016.

He also has several tracks that entered the Hot 100 including "No Problem" and "Blessings," and collaborated with other major recording artists such as Lil Wayne, 2Chainz, DJ Khaled, and Justin Bieber.

His most recent collaboration is with Saba who recently released the track "LOGOUT," a track from Care For Me. Stream the song below.

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