It isn’t Thursday but this is definitely a throwback. It should’t be surprising that Kanye West, who isn’t shy on speaking on topics ranging from race to politics, was a passionate “messenger” as he describes himself before he reached high school. A video of West reciting a poem titled “His Name Means Love” at 12-years-old has surfaced.

Kanye delivered the poem to an audience of peers and parents during an assembly celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his prestigious fine arts school, John H. Vanderpoel Elementary School, in Chicago. In true Kanye West fashion, he introduces himself clearly and proceeds to deliver the poem with the same energy and eloquence he is known for today.

Kim Kardashian-West took to Twitter yesterday (Jan. 20) to post the video with the caption “I wish I posted this yesterday! How cute is my baby!!!!!!! #MLK.”

Check out the video above of Lil’ Kanye West as he honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.