The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Former President Obama describes his bond with Jay Z
Jay Z made history Thursday by becoming the first hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The man who helped present the award was another trailblazer, the nation’s first black president, Barack Obama. The two have much in common, as Obama mentioned in his speech.
Perhaps the most immediate thing they have in common, though, was that neither man was actually at the event. Obama gave his speech in a prerecorded video, and Jay Z tweeted about it later. E! reported the rapper was not able to attend the awards gala in New York City.
In the video, Obama named and congratulated all the inductees before turning to Jay Z (given name Shawn Carter), whom he called “a true American original.”
“I like to think Mr. Carter and I understand each other,” Obama said. “Nobody who met us when we were younger men would have expected us to be where we are today.”
The former president continued, highlighting some of the personal difficulties both men faced and, in their own ways, overcame.
“We know what it’s like not to have a father around,” he said. “We know what it’s like not to come from much, and to know people who didn’t get the same breaks that we did. So we try to prop open the door of opportunity so that it’s a little easier for those who come up behind us to succeed as well.”
Obama sprinkled in a bit of his signature wit, as well, saying, “Jay and I are also fools for our daughters, although he’s going to have me beat once those two twins show up,” referring to twins Jay Z and his wife Beyoncé have on the way (or have already had, if you believe the Internet rumors).
Speaking of Beyoncé, Obama tossed in a knowing reference to her and Michelle Obama, saying, “Let’s face it. We both have wives who are significantly more popular than we are.”
It isn’t particularly surprising to see the former president speaking about the rapper. The two share a long and abiding respect for each other, perhaps even friendship.
“I’m pretty sure I’m still the only president to listen to Jay Z’s music in the Oval Office,” Obama said. “That may change at some point, but I’m pretty sure that’s true now.”
Obama said he got to know the Carters during the first few years of his presidency, adding, “They’re good people. Beyoncé could not be sweeter to Michelle and the girls. So they’re good friends. We talk about the same things I talk about with all my friends.”
Jay Z even once said of the former president, “I’ve spoken to him on the phone and had texts from Obama, of course.” He’s rapped about it too, saying in “On to the Next One” that he has “Obama on the text.”
In fact, Jay Z and Beyoncé visited the White House several times during the Obama administration. And, according to Obama, the rapper still serves as an inspiration.