Made in America Festival 2012: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Even Obama in Philadelphia
The "Budweiser Made in America" music festival began on Sept. 1 in Philadelphia and rapper Jay-Z both curated and headlined the event with the help of fellow hip-hop singers like Kanye West, and even President Barack Obama.
Jay-Z began the festival's opening night with his song "Made In America," making his way on stage in front of nearly 50,000 with a swag and bounce in this step that many compared to Rocky Balboa.
His first cameo was with President Obama. Jay-Z showed the audience a pre-recorded video with the president, who urged viewers to vote and added that he listens to the rapper's music on his iPod.
Jay-Z's story is "what Made in America means," Obama said.
The artist and self-made businessman grew up in Brooklyn and since his first album release in 1996, he has made quite a name for himself. The 42-year-old, basically, created a new anthem for his hometown of New York with the hit "Empire State of Mind," featuring Alicia Keys. The mogul also has earnings amounting to $38 million as of May 2012, according to Forbes.
He co-owns the 40/40 Club in NYC, an ad firm, and his "Watch the Throne" collaboration album with his friend West earned his millions. Jay-Z is also part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, creator of the fashion line Rocawear and one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records.
Dubbed entrepreneur, producer, songwriter and all around superstar by many, his is also now a father and a husband to singer Beyonce Knowles (the couple married in 2008) and their daughter Blue Ivy.
The lineup at the festival, set up in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, included Rick Ross, Swiss Beatz, Janelle Monae, Skrillex, Big Sean, and West.
Jay-Z followed up "Made in America" with "Public Service Announcement" and his 90-minute set included some of his most well-known hits, like "Big Pimpin," "99 Problems," "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" and "Empire State of Mind."
Rumors circulated that Beyonce would perform with her husband, but she was a no show that night.
Common and 2 Chainz might have been the biggest surprise performers of the night and the show closed with West and Jay-Z's "Paris," with fireworks from the stage saying goodbye as the lights turned off for the final time.
The two -day festival ends on Sept. 2.
