Nigerian disc jockey and philanthropist DJ Cuppy has outlined what she described as her personal roadmap to success while delivering the commencement address to the graduating Class of 2026 at King’s College London, her alma mater.
Born Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, the entertainer returned to the United Kingdom institution where she studied Business Management about 11 years ago, reflecting on her unconventional journey from student to internationally recognised DJ.
Addressing the graduates, Cuppy admitted that her career trajectory did not unfold as she once envisioned.
“These days I spend my time DJing around the world. Somewhere along the way, I swapped supply and demand for vibes and mic checks,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Speaking on resilience and self-discovery, she told the class that pressure can be transformative.
“They say pressure makes diamonds, and I agree. But I believe deeply that pressure also exposes your core self. When all the layers are peeled off, it reveals who you truly are inside,” she stated. “Yes, we come to university to learn, but I believe we pick up something much deeper, a sense of purpose that stays with you for life. King’s College shaped me in ways I never imagined, and that influence stayed with me long after I left.”
Cuppy structured her speech around the initials “KCL,” presenting them as a symbolic guide to success.
“I believe I was invited here to give words of encouragement to graduates, both present and future. After overthinking it, I think I have hacked it. The roadmap to success is hidden in the initials KCL,” she said.
Explaining the first letter, she noted, “K is for kickstart. Graduates, kickstart your life even if you do not have it figured out.” She revealed that after earning her degree, she initially expected to pursue a corporate path.
“When I graduated, I thought my path after Business Management would be predictable, maybe corporate. Instead, I ended up behind turntables with headphones bigger than my head,” she recounted.
Encouraging bold action, she added, “Life does not wait for you to feel ready. So please kickstart the idea. Kickstart the dream. Action creates clarity.”
Reflecting on her humble beginnings, Cuppy shared that she started performing in small pubs near Waterloo campus, experiences she said laid the groundwork for her global career.
On the second letter, she said, “C is for connect. I want you to connect with people, connect with ideas, connect with purpose.”
Highlighting her philanthropic efforts, she referenced the Cuppy Foundation, which she founded eight years ago to expand access to education across Africa.
“I realised that education can unlock so much potential, especially in my continent, Africa,” she said, urging graduates to view networking as more than social media engagement. “Your network is not just your LinkedIn. It is your legacy.”
Turning to the final letter, she explained that “L” stands for lift — a call to uplift others while climbing the ladder of success.
“Lift your classmates, lift your colleagues, lift your community, lift the people standing where you once stood,” she advised.
Acknowledging the diverse challenges faced by the graduating class, Cuppy commended their perseverance.
“Some of you studied across borders, studied across doubt, studied across hard seasons. But all of you are here now. And that means you did not quit,” she said.
She concluded her address with a celebratory charge to the class: “Congratulations. Time to KCL — kickstart, connect and lift.”