CHICAGO, IL - Florida A&M University alum and Chicago-born actor and rapper Common gave the commencement speech for Saturday's City Colleges of Chicago Class of 2015 commencement ceremonies. He told the graduates, "Success takes hard work and plenty of confidence."

The Grammy and Oscar-winning rapper and actor also told the graduates, "A degree is only a stop on the path to success. First, you must find your path, believe in yourself, then live your path, and surround yourself with those who believe in you."

He was presented with an honorary associate of arts degree from the City Colleges of Chicago.

Common will also be commencement speaker at Winston-Salem State University's commencement ceremonies on May 15th in Winston-State, North Carolina.