President Obama recently made headlines when he announced that his favorite song from the year was Kendrick Lamar's "How Much A Dollar Cost?" If there's one year-end list you want to be on, it's the President's. Our current commander-in-chief, and his family, have been the most culturally-savvy first family that this country has ever had, and a big portion of that is how their names continuously pop up next to hip hop culture.
Malia Obama was photographed wearing a Pro Era t-shirt, Michelle has used the culture in her philanthropic ventures, and the President himself is always making headlines, whether he's shouting out Young Jeezy or brushing his shoulders off.
In the spirit of the recent headlines, and moving into Obama's last year as President, we've decided to compile the Obama's most hip hop moments during Barack's presidency.
May 2011: Michelle Obama Teaches Us How To Dougie
As part of her Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity, Michelle Obama has been encouraging people to get active. Back in 2011, she ignited a dance party at Alice Deal Middle School in Washington D.C. by doin' the Dougie, when it was all the rage.
April 2012: President Obama shouts out Young Jeezy
"In my first term, I sang Al Green. In my second term, I'm going with Young Jeezy," Obama said during the 2012 White House Correspondent Dinner. He was nodding to Jeezy for his track "My President," which had a role in Obama's re-election. Later, Jeezy would say that he wasn't entirely satisfied with Obama's presidency.
September 2012: Obama Appears Via Video at Made In America Festival
Jay Z's Made In America Festival had a huge lineup in 2012. The likes of Jay Z, Skrillex, and Drake were all there to perform, but Hov had a special guest during his performance: Obama. Appearing via video, the President addressed the crowd in an exclusive video.
October 2012: Obama Calls Hip Hop a 'Most Vibrant Musical Art Form'
In an interview with Sway, Obama created his most hip hop moment yet. It's awesome that Sway was able to interview Barack in the first place, and when the President got vocal about the music we all love, it got real. He said, "I think the most vibrant musical art form right now, over the last ten, 15 years, has been hip-hop. And there have been some folks that have dabbled in political statements, but a lot of it has been more cultural than political." Giving rap its respect while also encouraging its participants to get more political is exactly the stance we like to see from our leader.
October 2012: Obama's iPod
What's on Obama's iPod? We're all dying to know. It turns out the President has a well-varied taste in music, including old-school classics like Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and The Rolling Stones, along with newer hip hop artists like Jay Z, Eminem, and the Fugees. He's also got a little jazz in John Coltrane and Miles Davis, along with influential 'proto-rapper' Gil Scott-Heron.
April 2013: Obama Makes Jay Z Joke
Who knew that the leader of the free world could be so funny? At a White House Correspondent's Dinner, Obama said, "I've got 99 problems, and now Jay Z is one," in reference to his trip to Cuba, which caused a little bit of controversy.
June 2013: Michelle Obama Uses Rap In 'Everybody - The Music Video'
Following up on her Dougie dance moves, Michelle invited Doug E. Fresh and others to join her in a music video to help keep the kids fit. Over a beat constructed out of the disco classic "I Want to Thank You" by Alicia Meyers (a track that was also used for a Yeezy-Weezy-Busta-Q-Tip collab), the gang spreads a positive message through music.
January 2014: Photo of Malia Obama Rocking Pro Era Shirt Goes Viral
Malia Obama made a huge splash in the hip hop world when a photo of her wearing a Pro Era t-shirt went viral. Joey Bada$$ has since said, "When you got the leader of the free world’s daughter wearing your shirt. I guess they start to investigate. They got my whole crib surrounded…I don’t sleep. I hear the clicks in my phone." The world is crazy.
December 2015: Michelle Obama Drops Bars In Rap Video "Go To College"
Michelle really stepped her music video game up, because the new one, "Go To College" is the dark-horse contestant for single of the year. Only joking, but it's still pretty awesome to see the First Lady droppin' bars in a music video. What do you rate her flow?
"FLOTUS on the track
South Side, Chicago, we all know
We had to do overtime every night to make it tomorrow
And everyone could really make their dream true
Hey, kid listenin' in Michigan, that could be you"
December 2015: Obama Names Kendrick Lamar's "How Much A Dollar Cost" As His Favorite Track of 2015
The big headline last week was made when the President said his favorite track of 2015 was by none other than Kendrick Lamar. The Compton MC, who had the White House on his album cover, made quite an impression with everybody last year. The critics loved him, the fans are selling shows out, and even Barack Obama is bumpin' his music.
