Ah, graduation. The culmination of four years intertwined with friends, academics, new experiences, heartthrobs, and heartache. And for the lucky ones, they get to experience one final speech by an iconic recording artist, one final person to pass on their wisdom of that rockstar life.
From Chance The Rapper, to Queen Latifah, to Josh Groban, and more, some of your favorite stars have all been guest speakers at college graduations across the country. Check out 20 artists who spoke at graduations below. And for your own graduation playlist, check out iHeartRadio to celebrate, and to hear the biggest hits from the year that you graduated.
1. Chance the Rapper - Dillard University (2018)
Photo: YouTube
Most Memorable Moment: “All of us have a responsibility to be greater than the people who came before us… We have a responsibility to be not as good as them or live up to their example, but to actually surpass them, even when it seems scary. We have to overcome that fear and be greater than our role models.”
2. Queen Latifah - Rutgers University (2018)
Photo: YouTube
Most Memorable Moment: “Class of 2018, you need to keep searching for a role model? No. You are the role model. Now go out there and make a difference. Be that difference.”
3. Josh Groban - High Point University (2018)
Most Memorable Moment: “You learn with experience that some fear is the good stuff. Not all. But when the fear comes from a place of wanting to follow through with passion – something you believe in, it’s good. When it comes to your future experiences, as you enter the world with your knowledge and excitement, as you choose opportunities, always remember: if you aren’t scared, be worried.”
4. Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum - University of Georgia (2018)
Photo: YouTube
Most Memorable Moment: “Just be happy, find purpose, and be nice to mom and dad.”
5. Bono - Berklee College of Music (1999)
Photo: Getty Images
Most Memorable Moment: “The future is not fixed, it’s fluid.”
6. Billy Joel - Berklee College of Music (1993)
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Most Memorable Moment: Billy Joel has spoken at numerous graduations, but perhaps it was his one at the Berklee College of Music in 1993 that struck a chord: "Being a musician is not something you chose to be, it is something you are, like tall or short or straight or gay. There is no choice. Either you is or you ain't."
7. Cody Simpson - Atlanta Country Day School (2014)
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Most Memorable Moment: Cody Simpson was valedictorian of his high school class, and told everyone that “Intelligence is the sexiest thing in the entire world.”
8. Pharrell - NYU (2017)
Photo: Getty Images
Most Memorable Moment: “The days of being anonymous activists or participants are over. How can we inspire if we are behind the scenes?” he asked the 2017 graduating students. “Your generation is unraveling deeply entrenched laws, principles, and misguided values that have held women back for far too long and, therefore, have held us all back.”
9. DJ Khaled - UC Berkeley (2017)
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Most Memorable Moment: DJ Khaled surprised the UC Berkeley Class of 2017 with a performance and some “keys” of wisdom, like: “I had to bet on myself, and look at me now, I’m on stage with young kings and queens and a generation of geniuses that’s gonna run the world.” Tell ‘em, Khaled.
10. Will Ferrell - USC (2017)
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Most Memorable Moment: Yes, Will Ferrell is way more of an actor than a recording artist, but try telling yourself that when he burst out into Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” at the end of his speech at USC in 2017.
11. Janelle Monae - Dillard University (2017)
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Most Memorable Moment: Prior to her commencement speech, Janelle dedicated the honor of receiving her honorary doctorate to her family:
“I accept this honor in the name of my family; my grandmother who was a share cropper in Mississippi, had 12 kids, and never got an opportunity to get a higher education,” she wrote on Instagram. “I accept this honor in the name of my parents who worked as janitors, post office workers, and garbage collectors serving the community PROUDLY, but never got a chance to fully pursue a higher education. This one is for my family."
12. Diddy - Howard University (2014)
Photo: Getty Images
Most Memorable Moment: “When you leave here today, go forth with the knowledge that you have the power to change the world. Embrace your power and turn your dreams into reality."
13. Bon Jovi - Rutgers University (2015)
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Most Memorable Moment: “Your diploma is a mile marker. It’s a measurement of how far you’ve come, but it doesn’t say a thing about how far you can go.”
14. Kanye West - School of Art, Institute of Chicago (2015)
Photo: Getty Images
Most Memorable Moment: We're all part of one giant movie, one giant painting. Every day that you step out, you're a piece of the painting. Your contribution. I could say something like... I hate giving these real meaningful statements and sh*t, like 'Aw man, that really changed everything for me.' I'd rather be like Michelangelo and not finish the statement, you know... I'll let you... end 'The Sopranos' or something. I'll let you decide what happened.”
15. David Bowie - Berklee College of Music (1999)
Photo: Getty Images
Most Memorable Moment: “As always on occasions like this, I really never know what to do—which is pretty much the way that I've handled my career as a musician/writer. I guess any list of advice I have to offer to a musician always ends with "If it itches, go and see a doctor."
16. John Legend - UPenn (2014)
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Most Memorable Moment: “So love yourself, love your work, love the people around you. Dare to love those who are different from you, no matter where they're from, what they look like, and who they love. Pursue this life of love with focus and passion and ambition and courage. Give it your all. And that will be your path to true success.”
17. Ryan Seacrest - University of Georgia (2016)
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Most Memorable Moment: "Days come and go fast,” he said. "And the older I get the more I realize that your life will happen whether or not you get up...Make sure you happen to the day instead of it happening to you."
18. Dolly Parton - University of Tennessee (2009)
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Most Memorable Moment: Dreams are where you visualize yourself being successful at what’s important to you to accomplish. Dreams build convictions because you work hard to pay the price to make sure that they come true.
19. Jimmy Buffett - University of Miami (2015)
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Most Memorable Moment: “There are four things you need to be successful. Talent is 10 percent. Luck is 20 percent. Work ethic is 30 percent. Passion is 40 percent. Passion, not profit, should always be your guide.”
20. Lin Manuel Miranda - UPenn (2016)
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Most Memorable Moment: LMM, who gave his commencement speech at UPenn, first took time to honor the great city of Philly. “YOU are known as the birthplace of Louisa May Alcott, Rocky Balboa, Boyz II Men, Betsy Ross, Will Smith, Isaac Asimov, Tina Fey, Cheesesteaks, and you can have SCRAPPLE, SOFT PRETZELS, and Wawa HOAGIES WHENEVER YOU WANT. YOU WIN, PHILLY. YOU WIN EVERY TIME. WATER ICE.”