Hillary Clinton enlisted some star power Friday with a
concert featuring Jay Z, Beyonce, Chance the Rapper and Big Sean,
part of an effort to drum up excitement behind her campaign the
weekend before Election Day.
The group of rap and hip hop icons urged voters to head to the
polls on Tuesday and firmly backed Clinton's candidacy.
"I want my daughter to grow up seeing a women lead our country
and knowing that her possibilities are limitless," said Beyonce,
sporting a black-and-white polka dot pantsuit. "And that's why I am
with her." Her performance was backed by dancers in blue pantsuits,
an obvious reference to Clinton.
The Cleveland concert, meant to drive up turnout among young
people in Ohio, was announced weeks ago, but only as a Jay Z
performance, not a joint appearance with his wife.
"We have unfinished business to do," Clinton told the audience
after the concert. "More barriers to break and with your help, a
glass ceiling to crack once and for all!"
Clinton came out after a duet by Jay Z and Beyonce. In her short
speech, Clinton quoted something the iconic rapper said during his
2008 performance for then-Sen. Barack Obama.
"And remember," Clinton said, "Jay memorably said something we
should all recall: Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk. And
Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could ran. And Barack Obama
ran so all the children could fly!"
No one mentioned Donald Trump by name on stage, but multiple
performers made mention of his candidacy.
"This other guy, I don't have any ill will ... he cannot be my
president," Jay Z said. "He cannot be our president. Once you
divide us, you weaken us, we are stronger together. And without
further ado, I would like to introduce to you the next president of
the United State, Miss Hillary Clinton."
CBS News first reported that Beyonce would appear at the
Cleveland event.
Beyonce has long been a Clinton supporter. She attended a
Clinton fundraiser in New York City in 2015, but Friday night was
the first time Beyonce has performed for Clinton.
Jay Z has been slow to back Clinton, especially considering how
close he has been with President Barack Obama. The rapper even said
in 2009 that he texts with the President, which Obama denies.
On Friday night in Cleveland, though, it was clear that the
married duo -- and their special guests - were firmly behind
Clinton.-
"It doesn't really matter who I am. I am here to celebrate our
next and first woman president," Chance the Rapper said during his
set. "She is running this battle right now, she is killing this
race, but see needs all of our help."
"Middle fingers up. You know who they are for," Big Sean said
during his performance.
While Jay Z and Beyonce are the draw on Friday, voters said just
being associated with the two icons will help Clinton.
"People are excited for the concert and they know exactly who it
is for," said Olufunke Buraimoh, a 27-year-old medical student at
Kent State. "The opportunity to share with other people gets them
excited to vote for her."
Buraimoh says she has long been a Clinton supporter. "There is not
an option to not vote," she said.
Trump, rallying voters in Hersey, Pennsylvania, as the Clinton
concert began, bragged about filling a stadium without special
guests.
"I hear we set a new record for this building, and by the way, I
didn't have to bring J-Lo or Jay Z," he said. "I am here all by
myself. Just me. No guitar. No piano. No nothing."
Clinton's campaign has turned to a number of high-profile
celebrities -- and concerts -- to spur young people to vote.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony performed at a concert with
Clinton in Miami on Saturday, Miley Cyrus knocked on doors at
George Mason University last month and Katy Perry, who will perform
with Clinton on Saturday night in Philadelphia, campaigned in Las
Vegas last month.
Jay Z and Beyonce urged voters to head to the polls on Tuesday
to close out the event.
"We have to think about the future of our daughters, our sons
and vote for someone who cares for them as much as we do," she
said. "If you are ready for freedom, make some noise."