BY DIMAS SANFIORENZO • MAY 14 2019

On Saturday (May 12th) Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. (Orchestrator Alex Lacamoire, who delivered the commencement address, also received the honor.)

READ: Lizzo Connects with Missy Elliott for New Single “Tempo”

Elliott is the first hip-hop artist to receive an honorary degree from the prestigious college. When announcing Elliott, Berklee called the legendary artist a “groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper.”

According to CBS Boston, Elliott told a tale of resilience, mentioning setbacks like illness and being dropped from labels as things she had to overcome. She said:

"There will be ups and downs — prepare for that…As long as you are breathing, it is never too late. Don’t forget that. You have come too far to quit."

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