The 2025 senior class of Northeastern University is moving up in the world, but not before getting a proper sendoff from Cardi B, ROSÉ and Ed Sheeran at their commencement ceremony on Sunday (May 11).
As captured in clips filmed by this year’s graduates of the private Boston institution, the three musical superstars all appeared in a pre-taped montage that played on the screens at Fenway Park to congratulate the students on their shared achievement. Waving at the camera as the crowd erupted with surprised cheers, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper said in the video, “I hope whatever you studied for and worked for, it pays off.”
“I hope you guys now enjoy the real world, because college and the real world is very different,” Cardi added, smiling.
For her part, the BLACKPINK star told the graduates, “Wishing everyone the best as you guys start this next chapter,” while Sheeran said, “Congratulations, I hope everyone’s having a good time there.”
All three of the stars are signed to Atlantic Records, whose CEO, Elliot Grainge, delivered this year’s commencement address at the ceremony. A Northeastern alum, the label boss told the class of 2025 that they represent, “a future we haven’t seen, a future we can’t fully imagine, and won’t truly understand, until you build it,” according to Northeastern Global News.
“Each and every one of you were raised on speed, technology and constant evolution,” he added from the podium. “You’ll shape culture, technology, business and politics in ways we can’t yet fathom.”
Grainge is just one of many high-profile music industry figures speaking at graduation ceremonies this year. As previously announced, Usher will deliver the address at Emory University’s commencement on Monday (May 12), while Snoop Dogg is set to do the honors at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business celebration on May 17.
Maggie Rogers also recently shared that she’ll be speaking at the May 16 commencement ceremony for her alma mater, New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Their video appearance at Northeastern’s commencement comes as both ROSÉ and Sheeran are gearing up for the release of Atlantic’s F1 film soundtrack, on which they will appear alongside Tate McRae, RAYE, Burna Boy, Roddy Rich, Dom Dolla, Chris Stapleton, Tiësto, Sexyy Red and more. The K-pop performer’s single for the project, “Messy,” dropped Friday (May 8).
Cardi has long been working on her highly anticipated sophomore album, about which she recently gave fans an update. Revealing that the LP has been slowed by its featured artists delaying their contributions, the “WAP” musician said on X Spaces, “I need y’all to hurry up.”
