Tuesday was a special day for Pittsburgh students because they were surprised by rap star and hometown hero Wiz Khalifa. The leader of Taylor Gang visited students at his alma mater, Taylor Allerdice High School and other schools to donate 1,700 backpacks.

During the community effort Wiz Khalifa spoke with teens delivering a message of hard working paying off and made sure to take the time out to snap photos.

“I love my school, I love Pittsburgh and I love being able to spread some positivity and give kids some home,” Wiz stated. “I just wanted to tell them to be themselves and that they are doing the right thing with their lives right now, going to school and dreaming big and trying to figure it all out.”

Check out Wiz’s return to Pittsburgh above.