U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, on Friday, October 21, played host to musical guests Usher, Jill Scot, Common, Yolanda Adams and many others at BET’s “Love and Happiness” concert on the White House South Lawn.
This is the last musical event the Obamas will host at the White House as they get ready to leave the residence in January 2017.
“This has been one of our favorite traditions and it’s with a little bit of bitter sweetness that this is our final musical evening as President and First lady,” Obama said as the audience erupted in “awwws”.
“I know. It’s going to be alright,” Obama responded.
The Obamas have often hosted musical events, a “perk” Obama said he would miss after leaving the White House.
“But you know if you can just call up Usher and say, ‘Hey come on over my house and sing with us’ or call up Janelle Monae and say, ‘You know what? We need a little extra something here.’ It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Obama, who is known to break into song occasionally, promised not to sing at the glittering event. He also drew the line at attempting a provocative dance style known as “twerking” while noting that the Kennedys reportedly danced the “Twist” during their time at the White House, which he said was the “twerking of their time”