Jay-Z stumps for Obama, new voters

Rap entertains, rock pays -- is that the message from a pair of politically motivated pop music events?

Rapper and music mogul Jay-Z will perform for free this weekend -- on Saturday in Detroit and on Sunday in Miami -- in concerts aimed at urging fans to register to vote, and then to vote for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. The concerts come just ahead of next week's voter registration deadline for the Nov. 4 presidential election.

But although 18-and-over rap fans will be able to hear one of their heroes for free, rock aficionados will have to pony up for two of theirs who are joining forces to aid Obama's campaign.

Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel will share a stage for the first time on Oct. 16 at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom at a fundraiser for Obama's campaign. Tickets for that benefit will run from $500 to $10,000. It's still rock 'n' roll, indeed.

-- Randy Lewis

Photo of Jay-Z by Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times

Comments

[cpk]

Great - another rich singer who has forgotten what's it like to live in the real world. I don't think Obama gets it. Why can't the entertainers have an "America Aid" to help the people who have lost everything in the South. They are also alienating those who use to enjoy their music but are put off by their political views. No party has the only options for what is right for this country.

[frank]

i think its wrong for any actor or band to do any kind of performing to promote any person running for office.. It should be band from any election. It isn't fair for any side. They want to support a person running then do it like anyone else does vote for them.

[brdc4]

springsteen is doing free concerts at obama rallies as well as fundraisers.

[Chacha]

I'll be there on Sunday...it pays to be a Democrat!!!!!!!!!!!! Free concert!!!!!!!!!!

[Dmitriy]

Can't buy the votes, then sucker them in with free goodies. New Politics of Hope and Change from Barack Hussein Obama.

[George]

Republicans are just jealous they don't have the music.

[zen]

What a contrast!

Many musicians even don't want GOP to use their songs for the events for MacPalin.

[zen]

as an obama supporter, i think this is smart move, but not so gracious one.

[zen]

If GOP have a registration rally with a rock star,
Young people will register there, then they will vote for Obama,

[chris]

This just in John Mccain has Rev. hagee's choir doing a benefit concert for him this weekend, tickets are still available

You people are so green with envy and it shows

[Candice L. Justice]

I believe it is totally fair for entertainers to perform or do whatever it is to promote the party which they wish! These artist have done well for their communities and abroad. Jay-z, when train systems in NYC went out about a year or 2 ago, offered limo carpooling for those workers who's only option to get to work was the train system! He also had an MTV special where he provided running water to an area in Africa. And to talk about "buying" votes or "suckering them in with free goodies" BYE! Who really knows how Pres. Bush won the last elections. I am not for certain, but I don't believe Jay-Z was hired by Obama. He may just be doing what he believes is right, the audience he is targeting is probably the largest group of unregisterd voters, and i have no problem with that! I live in Detroit, where one of the concerts are to be held, and can testify, there are far tooooooooooo many unregisted voters, being governed by rules which they do not believe.