Hundreds of musicians and other celebrities will visit Washington to celebrate the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. To hear them talk, it seems the somber, gray tones associated with the nation’s capital have been replaced with the bright glow of celebration.
“I can only speak from the black male perspective. I have done a lot of things in my life … but there was always some sort of ceiling to block advancement,” said noted rapper/producer/photographer D. Nice, who will preform at three inaugural balls. “To see this taking place in my lifetime is such an amazing thing, to prove you can be an American and do anything you want to do. It’s like feeling free.”
That freedom will be celebrated in countless musical celebrations, starting with today’s kickoff concert at the Lincoln Memorial featuring dozens of artists, including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, Garth Brooks and Stevie Wonder.
Other performances around town at clubs, concert halls and inaugural balls also will musically embrace Obama.
“I met with Obama before he ran [for president],” said John Legend, who is performing at today’s kickoff event. “He invited me to come to his office when I was in town for a show. I sat there for 15 or 20 minutes and … just from the brief interaction, he seemed to have the mind we needed as president.”
Many of the musicians participating in inauguration celebrations shared Legend’s early belief that Obama was so compelling, they couldn’t resist supporting his campaign and upcoming presidency.
“Barack Obama is going to make an incredible leader, and this is such an important time for our country,” R&B/hip-hop artist Akon said through his publicist. Akon was scheduled to perform at a celebration tonight at Love nightclub. “Like Obama, I’m of African heritage, and I was very inspired by Obama’s campaign and his message of hope and change. I am honored to be a part of such a historical event and look forward to the inaugural festivities.”
Change is a very real part of what the musicians who come to D.C. for this event will focus on, said entertainment lawyer L. Londell McMillan, executive publisher and co-owner of The Source magazine, He’s sponsoring a host of inauguration events including panel discussions that include such hip-hop luminaries as Sean Combs and Chuck D.
McMillan, who christened Obama the “first hip-hop president” in the pages of The Source, said the inauguration is a turning point for individuals as well as the country.
“It’s an end to a number of things,” he said. “It’s an end to the idea that there are limits on people in America and an end to certain excuses made by so many of us. It’s an end to the veil over your lack of achievement.”
Local singer-songwriter Justin Jones will open the Rock the Vote Inaugural Ball at the 9:30 Club on Monday for featured performers Sheryl Crow, The Beastie Boys and Citizen Cope. Jones sees the music as a way for all those who supported Obama to join together.
“It just shows the power of the minority and young vote, the power of the urban vote that I think was kind of squashed [in years past],” said Jones, who performs a blend of country/folk/soul. “I’ve never seen this many people excited about an election and joining together.”
That includes many young musicians who will travel to Washington by bus and stay in lodging as far away as Philadelphia for the opportunity to perform.
One of those performers is Napoleon Douglas, a xylophonist for the Isiserettes, a parade group of black children ages 3 and up from Des Moines, Iowa.
“The presidential election was on my 17th birthday, and [Obama’s win] was the greatest birthday present I could ever receive,” Douglas said. “Now I’ll be part of one of the biggest inaugurations ever; I’ll be part of history. It’s just overwhelming to me.”
Randy Salinas, 20, of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Jacksonville, Fla., who will also march during the inaugural parade, shares that excitement.
“This is a chance in a lifetime and a huge honor to play before President Barack Obama and the entire nation,” he said. “It’s an incredible experience.”
Aaron Kayce, editor-in-chief of JamBase.com, said that the host of musicians entertaining at inaugural events demonstrates the community as a whole has gone from disenfranchised to optimistic.
“Artists are saying, ‘America is coming back around and we want to be a part of that.’ They want to say, ‘This is my team,’ ” he said. “People won’t change overnight, but there is hope. These artists want to celebrate that.”
