Jay Z and Beyoncé delivered a grand, star-studded concert event in support of Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president on Friday (Nov. 4).
Taking place at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center as a way to encourage key swing state voters, the Carters delivered hit-filled sets for the former Secretary of State’s rally after meeting with her for some laughs backstage.
Along with her backup dancers, Queen Bey wore a pantsuit, a nod to Clinton’s trademark look. She then performed “Formation,” “Freedom,” and “Run the World (Girls).” At one point, ‘Yoncé also stopped to deliver a speech about the importance of the moment.
“There was a time when a woman’s opinion did not matter. If you were black, white, Mexican, Asian, Muslim, educated, poor or rich; if you were a woman, it did not matter,” said Beyoncé. “Less than 100 years ago, women did not have the right to vote. Look how far we’ve come from having no voice to being on the brink of making history again by electing the first woman president. Yes. But we have to vote. The world looks to us as a progressive country that leads change.
“Eight years ago,” she continued, “I was so inspired that my nephew, a young black child, could grow up knowing his dreams could be realized by witnessing a black president in office. Now, we have the opportunity to create more change. I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and know that her possibilities are limitless. We have to think about the future of our daughters, of our sons, and vote for someone who cares for them as much as we do and that is why, ‘I’m with her.’”
After introducing Clinton as “the next president of the United States,” the Democratic candidate had a few words of her own. Still, she borrowed some lines from Jigga’s appearance on Jeezy’s “My President (Remix).”
“Jay memorably said something we should all recall,” Clinton exclaimed. “‘Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk / Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run / Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly!’ We have unfinished business to do, more barriers to break, and with your help, a glass ceiling to crack once and for all.”
The event, which partially aired on CNN, also included performances by Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Big Sean.
