Kanye West receives honorary doctorate from School of Art Institute of Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) - It was a humble Kanye West who received an honorary doctorate from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The rapper told 900 graduates Monday that when he decided to create in apparel, film, performance, "it would have been easier if I could have said I had a degree at the Art Institute of Chicago."

West dropped out of Chicago State University, where his mother was a professor, before pursuing music at age 20.

Some students weren't pleased with the school's decision to honor West. More than 1,500 people signed a petition contending West did not embody the values of the institution, adding if the school wants to honor a musician, there were more deserving hip-hop artists.

West was unapologetic, saying "his medium is public opinion and the world is my canvas."

Kanye's wife, Kim Kardashian and daughter North were not in attendance, but from Brazil, Kim posted to her Instagram: