In the ad, titled “Power of Our Vote,” Jay stresses the valuesPresident Obama has instilled into Americans.
In a new ad released today by President Barack Obama’s campaign, Jay-Z reflects on Obama’s message of hope. The president reinvigorated voting, he says, “and you’re starting to see the power of our vote. When the president got in office initially, what he represented to a nation of kids was hope. You know, the hope of people all across the country who would look and see themselves and know the possibilities. … Now people areexercising their right, and you are starting to see the power of our vote. He made it mean something for the first time for a lot of people.” (Mediaite)
Last month, the president attended a fundraiser Jay-Z and wifeBeyoncé Knowles-Carter put together and revealed how much they both have in common.
“Jay-Z now knows, you know, what my life is like. We both have daughters. And our wives are more popular than we are … So we’ve got a little bond there. It’s hard, but it’s okay. Beyoncé could not be a better role model for our daughters because she carries herself with such class and poise. And has so much talent … We’re on the brink of an election, but more importantly, we’re on the brink of moving America in a direction where we’re going to be more just, more fair. The economy’s going to grow in a way that includes everybody, an America that’s respected around the world because we’re putting forward our best values and out best ideals.” (New York Times)
Jigga recently emphasized his resistance in getting too involved with politics.
“I don’t even like the word politics. It implies something underhanded and I think we need less government,” Jay-Z told MTV News while he walked the record carpet at his 40/40 Club in Manhattan to celebrate the release of the “NBA 2K13” video game, a title which he executive produced. While a rapper in office may seem far-fetched, Jay’s close relationship with President Barack Obama led many to wonder if the music mogul has his sights set on public office. But Jay isn’t so turned on by the idea. “To be honest with you I think a lot of people are serving their own agendas, so they just argue back and forth and they think about their next term,” he said. “And it’s more about themselves than about the people. They’re servicing the people, but we rarely get anything done because they’re going back and forth with whatever they’re doing, so I’m not really into politics.” (MTV)
Earlier this month, President Obama acknowledged his interest in Jay’s music.
“You know, we actually don’t constrain what she listens to,” President Obama said referring to daughter Malia. “We expect her to show some good judgment. She listens to my iPod and has gotten hip to stuff that was made well before she was born like Motown, jazz, classic rock. There’s a whole bunch of stuff that she’s picking up on. We actually share tastes in hip-hop and rap music but we don’t listen to it together, because some of the language in there would embarrass me–at least while I’m listening to it with her. Folks like Jay-Z, Nas, we both like them, but when it comes on and I’m sitting with her and Sasha, then I fast-forward because it would make me blush…. It’s interesting, both Malia and Sasha, they’re very much up on pop culture, but what I’m pleased to see is that they’re interested in making culture too.” (Glamour)
Check out Jay-Z’s “Power of Our Voice” below:
