First
Lady Michelle Obama is known for being an activist for many causes. First
Ladies typically carry out a political agenda of their own while their husbands
are in office, and over the last five years Michelle has worked to improve
education, bolster employment rates, and perhaps most notably, made efforts to
tackle the challenges of childhood obesity as a national epidemic.
Her
latest work to improve the wellness of American children involves an unexpected
tool to channel her message: a hip-hop album. That’s right, the First Lady is
helping put together a full-length hip-hop record, one that was conceptualized
as a means to inspire healthy living. According to Pitchfork, Mrs. Obama has collaborated with
the organizations Partnership for a Healthier America, as well as Hip Hop
Public Health to release an album called Songs for a Healthier America. The public health-inspired album
is part of the First Lady’s continual efforts to curb childhood obesity, and
contains nearly twenty songs that feature music industry heavyweights. Creating
a socially conscious health-centric album seems easy when you’re as well
connected as Michelle Obama.
According
to The White House Administration, “When people first ask First Lady Michelle
Obama to describe herself, she doesn’t hesitate to say that first and foremost,
she is Malia and Sasha’s mom,” a part of her identity which certainly
influences her goals as First Lady. A mother to two young girls, childhood
obesity is an issue that Mrs. Obama has been exposed to first hand in her work
with youth. It’s excellent that she is able to use her connections to inspire
changes in health and wellness in a creative way.
Songs
for a Healthier America will feature recognizable artists such as Ashanti, Jordin Sparks, DMC
of Run DMC, Matisyahu, Ariana Grande, and Travis Barker, among others. Some of
the song titles include “We like Vegetables,” “Veggie Luv,” and “U R What You
Eat,” and all encourage healthy eating and exercise for children. While Mrs.
Obama won’t be singing on any of the album tracks, she is reported to make
cameos in upcoming music videos.
Image 1: Barack Obama via Flickr
Image 2: michelleobama via Instagram
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