“Black Yankee hats were an unusual sight at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday as Clevelanders watched the biggest music icon of the past decade perform alongside the King in support of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. American flags flew on every video board while an eclectic mix of Ohioans filled the free seats an hour before the show began.”
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Black Yankee hats were an unusual sight at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday as Clevelanders watched the biggest music icon of the past decade perform alongside the King in support of presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

American flags flew on every video board while an eclectic mix of Ohioans filled the free seats an hour before the show began.

Jay-Z and Lebron James, who wore a t-shirt with VOTE across the chest, made no money from the concert, which sole purpose was to convince Clevelanders to vote for Obama in next week’s election.

The show opened with a short dramatic video featuring regular Americans voicing their complaints about the state of the nation. Obama then appeared in the video, promising change and stressing his cross-party appeal as the audience hung onto every word.

Afterwards, the giant screens streamed live footage of Obama at a rally in Florida. He spoke of his Scranton middle-class roots to cheers from supporters across the country.

Lebron then introduced Frank Jackson, Cleveland’s Democrat mayor, to a mix of boos and cheers. Jackson won over the crowd soon after by urging each person to cast an early vote for Obama.

This is the most important day of our lives, Lebron said. If you don’t know who I’m voting for … I’m voting for Obama!

As he spoke, the crowd roared as if No. 23 had sunk the game-winner to bring Cleveland its long-awaited championship.

After a break, the stage suddenly went dark as Jay-Z ran onstage to perform Say Hello alongside a live band. Lebron came on stage as the rapper ran through a sizable chunk of his catalog.

To the dismay of free agency-wary Cavaliers fans, the chemistry between the basketball star and the partial owner of the New Jersey Nets was evident even from the upper deck.

Jay-Z has joined a growing number of rappers who have infused politically themed lyrics into their albums and mixtapes.

F*** talking ’bout the recession, it’s just depressin’/I rock with Obama, but I ain’t no politician, he screamed on Jockin’ Jay-Z.

Surprisingly, the majority of the crowd seemed to care more about the message than the free concert, which was organized by Obama’s campaign.

Dominic Moore, 22 of Cleveland, said that he was a huge Jay-Z fan but had come for the message.

It’s time for change, he explained. This might be a turning point.

One concertgoer from Detroit said that he had been a registered Republican until he chose to vote for Obama.

The show drew over 24,000 locals, mostly youth, according to a Quicken Loans Arena worker. Obama’s campaign, which has consistently targeted the younger demographic, could not have asked for more.

Only five days from one of the most important elections in the United States’ history, both parties are doing everything they can in the swing states, especially Ohio and Florida.

Obama currently leads Republican rival John McCain by roughly seven percentage points.

Both candidates are on a tour of possible swing states while supporters rally for them elsewhere. McCain will be visiting Columbus Friday with Republican California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jay-Z emphasized the importance of electing of the first African-American president between songs in the middle of the show.

To a near-silent crowd he spoke slowly.

Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk so Obama can run so we can all fly.

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