Posted by Emily Exton on 05/15/2012 at 9:05 AM Videos

The Popdust Files: barack obama, interviews, jay-z, politics

After making the dreams of Philadelphia-area residents, Budweiser enthusiasts and music fans everywhere come true with the announcement of his Made in America festival, Jay-Z will be taking all of your questions this week, with the expectation that he has a solution for just about any head-scratcher keeping you up at night. In addition to speaking about his work as an artist and an innovator, Hov sat down to get political—because this is an election year and he just so happened to be within city limits of our nation’s first capital. President Obama’s recent public support of same-sex marriage has drawn both cheers and criticisms across the political aisle, considered a risky move by some in advance of a re-election year. Whether or not this crucial stance determines his professional fate for the next four years, at least Obama can take comfort in knowing he has Jay-Z and potential Jenga nights to turn to. “I think it was the right thing to do,” the “rapper, philanthropist” formerly known as Shawn Carter told CNN’s Poppy Harlow. “So whether it cost him votes or not—it’s really not about votes, it’s about people. So whether it cost him votes or not, I think it was the right thing to do as a human being.”

Along with support for Obama’s politics, Jay-Z delivered his own perspective on the issue, likening opposition to same-sex marriage to discrimination against African-Americans. ”I have always thought of it as something that is still holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business,” he explained, echoing sentiments expressed by the Commander in Chief while delivering the commencement speech at New York’s Barnard College on Monday. Hey, did you guys plan this? Hov certainly isn’t the first celebrity to speak out in support of gay marriage, or get behind the policies of our incumbent. Hopefully the two seeing eye-to-eye on a divisive yet important issue only improves the chances that Barry will serenade Fairmount Park come September—he can write the travel costs off as a campaign expense. Watch below.