DJ Khaled, Anitta, Thomas Rhett, CNCO, Saweetie and Andy Grammer are among the more than 20 artists congratulating and sending inspirational messages to Chicago’s 2020 graduating class in a video compiled by Billboard and Dick Clark Productions.
“The future of the world is in your hands…you’ve got everything you need” suggests Billy Porter to the graduates. “Go light the world up…Remember that you do have it within you to reach the highest level of your potential,” advises Common. Grammer performs a new song set to the “Pomp & Circumstance” graduation march specifically for the graduates.
Starting June 14, the clip will be featured on the “Graduation 2020: For Chicago. By Chicago” website as part of the Windy City’s city-wide virtual high school graduation celebration.
The website and the artists’ greetings are part of a broader celebration that will include a commencement speech from Oprah Winfrey.
“The City of Chicago is proud to be one of the only major cities celebrating our high school class of 2020 with a fantastic TV and digital graduation celebration, Michael Fassnacht, CMO for the City of Chicago, told Billboard. “We’ve been very fortunate to have great partnerships throughout the production process, including Billboard and Dick Clark Productions, who assembled a heartfelt celebrity shout-out reel to celebrate the true stars, the Class of 2020.”
Other artists in the clip include X Ambassadors, Elle King, Louis the Child, Max, SAINt JHN, DaniLeigh, Frank Wildhorn, Jagged Little Pill’s Derek Klena, Celia Rose Gooding and Lauren Patten, HappyBirthdayCalvin, Laura Osnes, Asher Angel and Dinah Jane.
