Watch CBS News

From Berkeley To Berklee, Bay Area Star Rita Moreno Busts A Rhyme In Commencement Speech

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- Rita Moreno's got rhymes.

The award-winning actress, singer and resident of North Berkeley showed off her rapping skills while delivering the commencement address at Boston's Berklee College of Music on Saturday.

The 84-year-old broke into rap mid-speech, telling graduates they "must have the audacity, the pluck, the grit, the perspicacity."

The audience cheered and Moreno added, "Yo, I'm sayin' write your score for more than popularity -- live life with clarity."

The entertainer notably appeared in 1961's "West Side Story." She's one of 12 entertainers in history to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award.

Moreno was among the music legends presented with honorary doctor of music degrees. The other recipients were the Isley Brothers, Lucian Grainge and Milton Nascimento.

Nearly 900 graduates from 68 countries received degrees.

West Side Story Publicity Still Features Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno, singer and dancer, in a publicity image issued for the film adaptation of 'West Side Story', 1961. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.