President Barack Obama said he's sad that one of his and the first lady's favorite traditions, musical night at the White House, ended Friday.
Obama and his wife, Michelle, have reserved certain evenings over the past eight years to celebrate music that has helped shape America.
They held big blowout concerts spotlighting classic, country, blues, Broadway, gospel, Motown, Latin and jazz either inside the White House or out on the lawn.
A sneak peek into the musical celebration for the First Family with pics of @questlove, @TerrenceJ, @MoreReginaHall & more! #ThankYouObama pic.twitter.com/IZuk2NWc3o
— BET (@BET) October 22, 2016
The end of a tradition
The tradition ended Friday as Obama kicked off his final musical night, BET's "Love and Happiness" event in a tent on the South Lawn.
He joked that he wouldn't be singing any Al Green despite the concert title.
Performers included Jill Scott, Usher, The Roots, Bell Biv DeVoe, Janelle Monae, De La Soul, Yolanda Adams, Michelle Williams and Kiki Sheard.
Pres Obama also served notice on his audience: “There will also be no twerking tonight. At least not by me. I don;'t know about Usher." pic.twitter.com/i9wXTn63YV
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 22, 2016
Obama had only one request: 'No twerking.'
When Obama sang the opening lines of Green's "Let's Stay Together" at a fundraiser at Harlem's Apollo Theater in January 2012, the video went viral.
What a night. CC: @bet & the WH. Time is ticking. Let's cherish these moments with our potus and flotus.
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) October 22, 2016
Obama described the ability to summon celebrities as "one of the perks of the job that I will most, along with Air Force One, and Marine One," the presidential helicopter. "You know, if you can just call up Usher and say, 'Hey, come on over ...'" BET says it will broadcast the show on Nov. 15.
