Kanye West receives honorary doctorate in Chicago

CHICAGO, May 12 (UPI) -- Kanye West, whose debut studio album was titled The College Dropout, has received an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The 37-year-old rapper picked up his degree Monday at the school's graduation ceremony, where he also delivered the commencement address.

West, who once rapped, "My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate," told his fellow graduates: "I am a pop artist. So my medium is public opinion. And the world is my canvas."

"I'm sorry' is something that you can use a lot," West added. "It gives you the opportunity to give your opinion. Apologize for it. And give your opinion again. People say, 'You should not be sorry for your opinions!'"

Lisa Wainwright, the dean of faculty at the school, explained why West had been chosen for the doctorate.

"We dig ideas, we dig crafts. Mix it up, put it forward, put it out into the world. It's your design," Wainwright said. "And this is what Kanye is all about. He's a real artist, and unafraid. He's unafraid to bring whatever he needs to his palette and put it out in front of an audience."

In 1997, West dropped out of Chicago State University, where his mother was a professor.