On Thursday night, Jay Z was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is the first rapper ever to be given such honor. In a slew of tweets that shouted out many of Jay Z’s hip-hop inspirations, the Brooklyn native ended it with a special message from former President Barack Obama. Watch or read Obama’s speech below: “I’d like to think Mr. Carter and I understand each other. Nobody who met us as younger men would have expected us to be where we are today…We know what it’s like not to come from much…And so we try to prop open those doors of opportunities so it’s a little easier for those who come behind us…Jay and I are fools for our daughters, although he’s going to have me beat once those twins show up. And let’s face it, we both have wives who are significantly more popular than we are.” Obama also throws in a slight jab at the current president: “I’m pretty sure I’m still the only president to listen to Jay Z’s music in the Oval Office.” Jay Z’s induction is accompanied by Kenny Babyface, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and a host of others. Photo credit: Getty Images
