Kanye West shared some words of wisdom with graduating fashion students at Los Angeles Trade Technical College on Friday night. The G.O.O.D. Music mogul was row seat for the Gold Thimble Fashion Show and went backstage to give the students a pep talk before taking the stage (via TMZ).

“It’s a tough world out there. You gotta prepare yourself for politics, bad bosses, hatin’ employees, and usually, when you’re the absolute best, you get hated on the most,” ‘Ye told the class of 2015.

“Even for me as a successful musician, in order to make the transition, it was really all but impossible. People always try to box you in to what they know you best for,” he continued. “I feel extremely honored to see new talent fighting or their voice.”

L.A. Trade Tech College is where Kanye did his community service for his assault case involving a photographer at LAX. Kanye completed his service, so he wasn’t required to show for the event, but he still did.