Splash NewsPresident Barack Obama scored himself one heck of an opening act. While the POTUS won't speak at the Democratic National Convention until Thursday, the political festivities kicked off today with CarolinaFest 2012, an event open to the public in support of Obama's reelection.
And the highlight of the day? Grammy-nominated songstress Janelle Monáe, who took the stage this afternoon and wowed a packed crowd in downtown Charlotte, N.C. The singer—best known for her collaboration on the infectious Fun. hit "We Are Young" as well as her Cover Girl campaign—donned her signature suspenders while dancing the moonwalk (oddly, not during her Jackson 5 cover) and jamming with her band.
"I'm here to support a man who believes in moving forward: President Barack Obama," Monáe told the crowd while gushing about all of Obama's accomplisments. This isn't the first time she's supported the commander in Chief either, having performed at one his events earlier this year at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago.
But with a dope voice like hers, who could blame Barack for keeping her on the campaign trail? CarolinaFest also included performances by Jeff Bridges of The Big Lebowski fame (whose set was cut short due to torrential downpours, provoking the actor-turned-musician to bring brother Beau Bridges on stage for a reverse rain dance) and the legendary James Taylor.