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Who Should Sing at Obama's Inauguration? Part II

Some more suggestions on who should perform for Barack Obama: Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and...Michael Jackson?

By Marc Malkin Dec 12, 2008 11:02 PMTags
Norah Jones, Kanye West, Beyonce Knowles, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Michael JacksonJason Kempin/Getty Images; John Sciulli/Getty Images; Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images; Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Press; Rosemary Goldhar/Getty Images; Axel/ZUMA Press

Just a couple of weeks ago, we surveyed some of your fave celebs to give you their ideas on who they think should be performing during Barack Obama's inaugural festivities next month.

Well, the suggestions keep rolling in for everyone from Beyoncé and Norah Jones to...Michael Jackson?! Is it time for Obama to polish up on his moonwalking?

Beyoncé has made no secret about wanting to sing for Obama at the inauguration. And David Archuleta thinks the singer-actress is a perfect choice. "She gave a lot of support to Obama, and she's an amazing singer and performer," the American Idol star said. "She has it all. That definitely would be something I would be excited to see."

Singer-actor Tyrese Gibson agrees, but joked that Knowles would have to take down the sexiness a notch or two. "She would have to put the three-piece on that night, not have so much skin out," he said.

Gibson also named Norah Jones as one of his choices. "You just need to feel like you're hearing something heartfelt while you're there," he said. "It's going to be so emotional to see this take place. You need the right music to go along with it."

What about Beyoncé's Dreamgirls costar, Jennifer Hudson? The inaugural could be the first time the Oscar winner performs since her family tragedy.

"That day is really coming from the heart for all of us, the fact that we have this president that so many people believe in," said Christina Milian. "I'm a huge fan of Jennifer's, and I would love to hear her passionate voice."

Jermaine Dupri didn't suggest girlfriend Janet Jackson but rather Kanye West. Calling both Obama and the hip-hop star voices of a new generation, Dupri said, "Kanye may be an outspoken person, but I don't think his music is offensive to anybody, especially his new music. I think it would work for everybody."

Then there are the well-known, more established, leading liberals of the music biz. Barbra Streisand and Carole King, said baby-faced crooner Jesse McCartney, "would be excellent choices because they've been around for so long and they're classic."

Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham shot down assumptions that they've already been booked. "Been there, done that," he said. "I still have a picture from the paper of Obama with Bruce Springsteen...I think he would be appropriate for the message that Obama has to offer."

Akon has probably the most surprising bizarre suggestion. "I'd like to see Michael Jackson most," Akon said. "This Inauguration will be making history, and we need the biggest artist in history to go up and do something."

The King of Pop sure would make headlines, but we think it's safe to assume that's not the kind of news Obama is looking to make.

—Additional reporting by Dahvi Shira