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Janelle Monae, President Obama: Artist Sings at Rally

Posted Jan 17th 2012 1:35PM by Georgette Cline
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Barry Brecheisen, FilmMagic

Janelle Monae traveled to Chicago last week (Jan. 11) and met with President Obama during a concert and rally at the University of Illinois, which was organized as part of a campaign fundraising exhibition in Chicago.

President Obama praised Monae for her vocal abilities, which he had previously witnessed in October 2011, at a state dinner alongside Korean President Lee Myung-bak. "Music is the universal language," he said. "Janelle and her team are incredibly talented. I want to thank Janelle Monae for her wonderful performance."

The 26-year-old Kansas City, Kansas native performed at the Chicago event and shared her experience as well as a photo below.

"I was deeply honored to be invited by the President to perform at the rally in Chicago at the University of Illinois at Chicago," she states. "It was an amazing feeling to be amongst so many people, young and old, black, white, red, disabled, all united, eager to help support a man who has ended the war in Iraq, gotten rid of 'don't ask don't tell' -- allowing anyone to serve this country regardless of who you love, made sure women were not paid less than men merely because they are women, doubled pell grants, given 2.5 million young people health insurance, and has created a law that recognizes that crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race or disability aren't just any crime -- they're hate crimes that deserve justice [sic]."

Monae, who was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her song 'Many Moons' and in 2011 for 'Tightrope,' went on to give her support for Obama, who she feels delivered on his promise to make changes while in office.

"These are all things he said he'd do before he was elected and did them," she explained. "There are more important accomplishments that can be added to this list. I strongly believe our nation should continue upon this path, bringing justice to all and change where needed. President Obama remains the candidate of hope and change, and he will continue to move our country forward, bringing even more change if re-elected."

Monae continues to perform across the nation in support of her 2010 LP, 'The ArchAndroid,' which featured the Big Boi-assisted 'Tightrope' and 'Cold War.'

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