Crooner-in-Chief! Watch President Obama Break Into Song After Schmoozing Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey

Who knew Barack could carry a tune? Check out the president belt out Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" during a fundraiser stop at the Apollo!

By Gina Serpe Jan 20, 2012 4:18 PMTags
Spike Lee, Barack Obama, TwitterTwitter

Politics aside, this is pretty awesome.

Gone are the days when stars breathlessly serenade the president of the United States. And here are the days that the president of the United States tentatively belts out a little Al Green to a roomful of stars, as Barack Obama did at a fundraiser at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater last night.

Anyone else suddenly thinking that "Let's Stay Together" wouldn't be such a bad campaign slogan for '12?

After breaking into song, Obama told Green—who was indeed in attendance—"I cannot sing like you, I just wanted to show my appreciation."

After tentatively letting slip the first two lines of the song to delighted cheers, Obama pointed to his team offstage and told the crowd, "Those guys didn't think I would do it. I told you I would do it."

As part of last night's fundraiser bonanza, POTUS also sat down for a star-studded dinner at the home of Spike Lee (who gave a seemingly live running Twitter commentary of the entire night). Among those present for the sit-down (which set revelers back $38,500 per plate) were Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

Wonder if he gave an encore performance?

"Wow!" Cannon tweeted last night. "Just left dinner with the President @BarackObama very inspiring! Thank you to Mr and Mrs @SpikeLee for hosting at their home."

"Just left dinner with President Obama," Carey added. "Beyond inspiring. Thank you Mr+Mrs Spike Lee!"

As for Lee, he also posted a series of Twitpics during the night, including one of Obama with his family, and another of the duo holding up their gifted custom Michael Jordan sneaks.

"President Obama Is A Huge Bulls And Jordan Fan," he wrote. "Here He Holds His Gift Of Spizikes From MJ Himself. YO."

It wasn't all fun and games, though.

"A Great Night," Spike wrote after the event. "I Heard We Raised 1.6 Million Dollars From The Dinner Tonight. The President After The Q&A Shook Hands And Took Pictures. Ya-Dig."

We dig. Though probably not as much as Al Green.