Say what you will about Lil Pump's general aloofness, but the Harverd Dropout is sticking to his story to the bitter end. While you might not see his name in the annals of the University's record books, Pump is keen on squaring up with an actual Harvard audience on school grounds, in a Balls to the Wall clash of learning styles. I wish I were kidding.. Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images Facebook lists the event as "Lil Pump: Harvard x Harverd Activation," set for the afternoon of the 28th, which so happens to be tomorrow. While Pump's early claims revolved around him giving a commencement speech for Harvard's graduating class, we have since been told, no such plans existed, especially not the expense of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as Pump's team initially reported. Instead, "Lil Pump: Harvard x Harverd Activation" figures to be nothing more than a speaking engagement on Harvard college radio, but in order to stick out amidst a frenzied media cycle, Pump and his team decided to partake in a little roleplay-embellishment to enrich the brand. "The only thing we are aware of that he is doing a live interview with WHRB Harvard Radio this Thursday and is taking questions from audience/listeners," a rep for WHRB told the media. "That, though, is a Harvard Radio student event, not a Harvard University event." The Harvard theme has long been associated with the Lil Pump brand mythology, so it's easy to see why they opted to further the narrative, even at the risk of putting the Harvard graduating class in the throes of a panic attack.<doc-sep>On Friday, face-tatted teenage SoundCloud-rap miscreant Lil Pump released a new album called Harverd Dropout. The misspelling is intentional. Lil Pump never attended Harvard — or, for that matter, Harverd. He’s claimed that he was kicked out of his South Florida high school in 10th grade for fighting and for inciting a riot. But now he’s also claiming that he’s going to be Harvard’s commencement speaker this year. Harvard begs to differ. On Monday, Warner Bros., Lil Pump’s label, sent out a press release claiming that Lil Pump would deliver Harvard University’s 2019 commencement speech. Lil Pump himself even made a statement about this prestigious honor: You don’t gotta graduate from Harvard to do this speech. I dropped out, so they called me like they called the guy that made Windows and PCs and shit before I was born. You just need a cap and gown, which I got. When I found out, I was happy to give everyone a lesson. I’m all about the youth. Yes, they are the future. This is a preview of my speech, one word: ESSKEETIT!!!!! ! Sadly, that preview may be all we get to hear. As the Hill reports, Harvard has released a statement, claiming that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will actually be the one doing the honors this year: “As previously announced, Angela Merkel will be Harvard’s Commencement 2019 speaker.” Lil Pump will not replace her. The press release from Warner Bros. claims that the Harvard radio station WHRB made the announcement about Lil Pump as commencement speaker. And if you go to the WHRB website, you will see this headline: “Lil Pump is coming to WHRB; See Harvard’s 2019 Commencement Speaker Here.” But it just links to a Harvard Crimson article about Merkel being the speaker. (The article does not mention Lil Pump.) Harvard always has one big-name commencement speaker, but they also have different Class Day speakers. It’s possible that Lil Pump could be one of those speakers? But this is probably just a joke. We have reached out to Warner Bros. for clarification. The best way to solve this issue, clearly, is for Angela Merkel and Lil Pump to give the speech together.<doc-sep>Rapper Lil Pump will not be replacing German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the 2019 Harvard commencement speaker, the university confirmed to The Hill Monday. "As previously announced, Angela Merkel will be Harvard’s Commencement 2019 speaker," the university said. ADVERTISEMENT Warner Bros. sent out a press release Monday claiming that the 18-year-old rapper would be delivering the commencement speech, according to multiple reports. "You don't gotta graduate from Harvard to do this speech," Lil Pump said in the press release, according to Complex. "I dropped out, so they called me like they called the guy that made Windows and PCs and shit before I was born. You just need a cap and gown, which I got. When I found out, I was happy to give everyone a lesson. I'm all about the youth. Yes, they are the future. This is a preview of my speech, one word: ESSKEETIT!!!!!!" Lil Pump is currently promoting his new album, Harverd Dropout, and has frequently suggested that he dropped out of the university to "save the rap game." His label says Harvard officials "handpicked" Lil Pump to become the "youngest commencement speaker in history." Harvard did not immediately respond to further clarification about whether Lil Pump would be speaking at the ceremony.<doc-sep>
In a strangely satiating case of life imitating meme, 18-year-old rapper Lil Pump will speak at Harvard this week. The event, which is hosted by Harvard radio station WHRB and is exclusively for undergraduates of the university, takes place Thursday evening. The rapper will host a Q&A, speak about his new album "Harverd Dropout" and offer exclusive merchandise. The reason it’s so satisfying is that, on Monday morning, Lil Pump’s label fooled several publications when it sent out a news release claiming he’d be speaking at Harvard’s commencement in May. Many were quick to point out that German chancellor Angela Merkel has the honor this year, while some publications quickly ran with the story, causing confusion — and laughs. The rapper is known for his lighthearted trolling. Part of his mythos revolves around a self-created rumor that he dropped out of Harvard (which he never attended to begin with), and his latest album’s title, "Harverd Dropout" plays into the false, tongue-in-cheek narrative. In the press release, the “Gucci Gang” singer said, "You don't gotta graduate from Harvard to do this speech. I dropped out, so they called me like they called the guy that made Windows and PCs and s--- before I was born. You just need a cap and gown, which I got. When I found out, I was happy to give everyone a lesson. I'm all about the youth. Yes, they are the future. This is a preview of my speech, one word: ESSKEETIT!!!!!!" For readers who don't speak SoundCloud rap, “esskeeetit” means “let’s get it.” The Harvard Radio Broadcasting Program Director Allison Pao said Lil Pump will be taking over the air waves of the radio station on Friday. "Lil Pump being the voice of the youth — it's really cool that he chose to work with us instead of Harvard administration directly."