Chance The Rapper To Speak At Dillard University's Commencement

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Chance the Rapper has been named this year's commencement speaker at Dillard University, and the Grammy-winning hip-hop artist's reach continues to expand past Chicago and outside music and entertainment circles. Much of that popularity has to do with the South Side native's obvious talent, as well as his commitment to social and political activism.

Chance will give the address at the Dillard's 82nd commencement ceremony May 12 in New Orleans, an event in which more than 200 undergraduate degrees will be handed out, the school announced. Dillard President Walter M. Kimbrough said he's been pursuing Chance as a speaker for two years.

"The activism is a bonus with Chance," said Kimbrough, who's known as the "Hip-Hop Prez" and teaches a class on ethics on hip hop. "I thought he made for a great commencement speaker because of his spirit of being entrepreneurial and authentic. But his civic engagement, including encouraging people to vote and willingness to speak out on issues, like his recent opposition to a Heineken ad, are just as paramount."

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Last year, Chance, 24, rose to national prominence not only for winning three Grammys, appearing on "Saturday Night Live" and headlining Lollapalooza. He also donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools and set up a fundraising initiative to continue contributing to the financially strapped school district.

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Chance ended 2017 by being asked to be the creative director for the community concert for the Obama Foundation's inaugural two-day summit in October for about 500 civic leaders from Chicago and around the world. His name has even been mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate (something he has dismissed).

"He's the artist that your grandmother would love," Kimbrough said.

Chance The Rapper at the Grammy Awards in 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images)