On Friday night, Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake both received honorary doctorates during the Berklee College of Music's commencement. The pair was honored alongside award-winning Broadway performer and composer Alex Lacamoire - who was a former student of the institution, with all three receiving the Honorary Doctor’s Degree of Music for their "influences in music, and for their enduring global impact."
Missy Elliot took to Instagram to share a video of her holding the framed diploma complete with graduation cap and gown. “CREATE YOUR OWN LANE,” Elliott said in the post's caption. “Sincerely Dr. Missy Elliot.”
“There will be ups and downs — prepare for that,” Elliott said to the graduating class. “As long as you are breathing, it is never too late. Don’t forget that. You have come too far to quit.”
Timberlake went on to share his own thank you posts to the school as well as its students and faculty. "No Dream is too big!!! Keep chasing!!! Trust me... I’m a DOCTOR," he said in one caption. He also took to the podium to share some words of wisdom with the graduates. "You’re defined by what you define failure as. It’s not a thing if it leads you to your success. It’s all part of the journey," he told them. "I hope that in the years to come, two things will happen: One, I will represent you in the way that you most hope for. And two, I look around and see this graduating class. Meet me at the studio. I want to see y’all!"
