14 DAY TRIAL // Dr. Dre better watch out because there's a new Dr. rapper in town and his name is Puff Daddy, Dr. Puff Daddy. Puffy has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Howard university in a ceremony on May 10, as a recognition of the fact that he used to attend their classes but dropped out before graduation.
Billboard is reporting that the rapper was overjoyed at the occasion and told the crowds gathered that “ain't no homecoming like a Howard homecoming.” Crowds actually gave him a standing ovation and cheered endlessly “Diddy,” a sign they weren't up to speed with the latest news, since Diddy reverted to his original moniker earlier this year.
Sean “Puffy” Combs was a business major at Howard University in his youth, but decided to drop out of college after two years in 1990, when he decided he was going to focus his attention on music, since it's seemed a more fun way of making money.
Despite the fact that he never actually graduated, the rapper still somehow gets a doctorate, which has caused some waves of dissatisfaction among those involved with Howard University in different ways.
Some took to social media to condemn the fact that Puffy gets a doctorate without having a diploma, saying that the University could have chosen some other notable name from its long list of graduates to honor. Others are happy with the selection and give Combs' success as the defining reason for this selection and honorary doctorate.
But during Sean's address, no one seemed to remember that there was ever a scandal. Ever the showman, Puffy proved once again that he has what it takes to woo a crowd, even dressed out in full regalia, complete with gold tassel on his cap.
“It's good to be home,” the rapper and music mogul said, adding “I am humbled to be in such great company.” With sentimentality in his voice, he pointed out that “Throughout my life, I have rushed through some of my great moments. I promised myself if I ever reached this moment I would take my time.”
There were other notable people speaking on the day, but Puff Daddy managed to steal the show, as he gets another recognition of his valor, shortly after being named the richest man in hip-hop by Forbes Magazine last month.
Of course, since then, things have changed a bit, with Dr. Dre looking to steal that title with the recent acquisition of his electronics company Beats by Apple for several billion dollars, thus putting him in the lead and leaving Puffy a respectable second.
Perhaps Puffy could then take some of his own advice to get back on top, advice he freely dispensed during his acceptance speech to the class of 2014: “Nobody is going to take you to the front of the line — you need to push to the front of the line.”