1.) They both love basketball. Jay-Z helped bring an NBA franchise to his hometown (Brooklyn). And while running for office in 2007-08, (then) Senator Obama became known as an avid basketball fan; often using pick-up basketball games to rally supporters. He was even interviewed by the late Stuart Scott.

2.) Both are huge fans of the Notorious B.I.G. When running for re-election in 2012, President Obama referenced Jay-Z’s “My First Song” (The Black Album) as his inspiration for staying focused amidst daily presidential duties. The song opens with an excerpt of Biggie speaking on the importance of work ethic.

3.) Both Jay-Z and President Obama have BEAUTIFUL wives who are successful in their own right. Prior to becoming the “44th First Lady of the United States” Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School and worked at a Chicago firm where she met a young black man who would eventually become her husband and leader of the free world. And in regard to Beyonce…she is Beyonce…They both have a lot of haters.

4.) While the majority of Jay-Z’s detractors tend to dwell within the hip hop community (Funk Masterflex), Obama got haters in every area code…There are black leaders who criticize him for not being “black enough” (Cornel West) and then there’s Fox News…

5.) They hang out together. Well at least according to Jay-Z they do. “Obama said ‘chill you gon get me impeached, you don’t need this shit anyway, chill wit me on the beach.”- From Hov’s 2013 single, “Open Letter.”

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Timothy Wiggins

Writing since March 2015 · 1 story contributed