Like many of us, most rappers are not sure where to take their career paths early on in life. Fresh out of high school, pre-fame, many of our favorite rap stars have no idea what the future holds and are searching for a back-up plan just like the rest of us. Before making it big, quite a few MCs set out on totally different paths, many even went to college before realizing their calling as musicians.

Kanye West proudly professed his disfavor for school from the start on his debut album, The College Dropout. After high school, Kanye West attended Chicago State University where his mother, Donda West, was a professor. At age 20, 'Ye dropped out to pursue a career in the music business, a decision his mom greeted with dismay.

Lil Yachty, a more recent addition to rap roster, also has a similar story. In the fall of 2015, Yachty dropped out of Alabama State University to follow his dreams. Prior to making it big and becoming a 2016 XXL Freshman, the rapper says his friends didn't even believe in him as an MC. "I was hanging around a group of friends and they always rapped. It's crazy because they would always tell me I couldn't rap or that I wouldn't be nothing," Yachty told XXL at the freshman cover shoot.

More rappers than most realize actually gave school a try and while some graduated, many did not. Check out XXL's list of rappers who went to college but didn't graduate above.

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