Jay-Z Inserts ‘Mitt’ for ‘B****’ in Explicit Song at Ohio Rally
Email
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
COLUMBUS – President Obama deployed a double-dose of star power for his Ohio campaign finale, using performances by legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen and rapper Jay-Z to energize the crowd of about 15,000 just over 12 hours before the first election day polls open across the state.
Jay-Z, a longtime Obama backer and fundraiser, brought down the house with a bone-shaking and deafeningly loud set of his hits that included a censored rendition of “99 Problems,” replacing the word “b***” with “Mitt.”
Tune in to ABCNews.com on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for livestreaming coverage of Election 2012. Our Election Day show kicks off at noon, and the Election Night event begins at 7 p.m.
“They told me no colorful language. So I brought two songs. I have to do it, I’m sorry,” Jay-Z joked upon taking the stage. “I changed the lyric of the song. It goes like this – so let’s do it real fast before they come up here” and take the mic away.
“99 problems but Mitt ain’t one. If you’re having girl problems I feel bad for you son,” he sang in the chorus refrain. “I got 99 problems but Mitt ain’t one…” The audience roared.
It should be noted that in a radio interview last month, Obama was asked whether “99 Problems” is on his iPod – a question he tactfully avoided, perhaps aware how the explicit lyrics might be interpreted by some women. “You know, I gotta say I go with some other stuff like ‘My First Song,’ which just kinda keeps me steady,” Obama said at the time.
The uncensored refrain of “99 Problems” is:
99 Problems but a b**** ain’t one If you havin’ girl problems I feel bad for you son I got 99 problems but a b**** ain’t one hit me.
The star-studded campaign finale for Obama in Ohio also included a more reflective and politically-thematic performance by legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen, who has been joining Obama on Air Force One during his final swing through the battleground states.
Springsteen joked that he gets late-night phone calls from Obama, who sings covers to him over the phone indicative of his mood.
After the first presidential debate, he said Obama called at 2 a.m. singing a rendition of the Rolling Stone’s “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” Three weeks later, after the final debate, he was singing LMFAO’s “I’m Too Sexy, and I Know It,” he kidded.
Join ABC News and Google+ for Election Night Hangouts – let us know who you are HERE.
“I believe the president has musical aspirations which is why I’m anxious to get him elected for four more years,” Springsteen said. “Got to keep the competition.”
Obama heaped praise on his surrogates upon taking stage, telling his supporters music from both artists is on his iPod.
“Not only are they all on my iPod – and yes, the president has an iPod – but it’s also because both of them tell an American story,” he said. “I told Jay-Z the other day our lives are parallel a little bit… both of us now have daughters… and both of us have wives who are more popular than we are.”
Hagel, Brennan to Face Tough Congressional Confirmation 
Obama Taps Sen. Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary 
This blathering by ‘stars’ is almost sickening. I am glad it is almost over so J-Z and Bruce can go back to making some money and saving the planet from republicans.
Posted by: david | November 5, 2012, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
It is a little syrupy, isn’t it, David? LOL!
Posted by: MsT-Mac | November 5, 2012, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
Reprobate’s Attempting Poetry.
I’m going to bet BO lovers are going to have to look up that first word.
Posted by: CharlesKayeMBA | November 5, 2012, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
Mr. Obama has spent his last four years making his rounds on all the talk shows, and rubbing elbows with many in our entertainment industry. He hasn’t been a good president but he knows all the cool people!! How about cutting our nation’s debt by cutting the Congress and the Senate’s pay, reduce their health care to include your Obama Care, and cut their retirement benefits. I would love to work at a job for four years and get full retirement for life along with health care for myself and my family. No one in Washington, Democrats or Republicans, is looking out for Americans. They are there for their own gain, their own special interests and for their own agenda.
Posted by: Toni | November 5, 2012, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
A sad commentary on the state of our union. This president has done more to stir up racial division than any other. He had the opportunity to bring reconciliation. No appeal to values, intellect etc. just song and dance.
Posted by: Kate | November 5, 2012, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
Wonder how Obama feels knowing over half the country can’t stand you. I would have the decency to not run if it were me. I’d work on uniting the nation, and if over half was against me, I’d quit.
Posted by: trish | November 5, 2012, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Wonder how Obama feels knowing over half the country can’t stand you.
Posted by: trish | November 5, 2012, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
There’s the hate from the Republican right again – ruining the country.
Posted by: John | November 5, 2012, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Posted by: Jeff Gray | November 5, 2012, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
It’s comments like yours that are divisive Jeff – it’s been like that from the start with the extremist right and President Obama.
Posted by: John | November 5, 2012, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
Good to see another Fat Cat Millionaire entertaining the crowds on the Obama Farewell Tour!
Posted by: Renee | November 5, 2012, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Wonder how Obama feels knowing over half the country can’t stand you.
Posted by: trish | November 5, 2012, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
There’s the hate from the Republican right again – ruining the country.
POSTED BY: JOHN | NOVEMBER 5, 2012, 6:42 PM 6:42 PM
John and Random, let me correct you that you each may stand corrected and those here can see and hear and know without ambiguity what is correct. It’s at political seasons as these when hate from the aspiring few attack and divide the nation as we know it. Yes, whether or not we like to admit it, people as yourselves play a round of party warfare in an futile attempt to believe in nebulous concepts of hope and change without action or substance. Yet most of the nation, as Trish well said, can still gaze past mere political rhetoric to see what is represented in a platform.
In particular, one of those candidates seeks to please through speeches without concrete facts or distinct plans and, in essence, pander to the whims of fame and glory. On the other hand, another has a track record of developing and completing what he promises to do and, above all, can flourish with the truth as it is known. That, my fellow Americans–although confused as you may be–will determine what the American people–still in large part true to their ideals and heritage–will make known this election day.
Posted by: Math-i-nator | November 5, 2012, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
It is a little syrupy, isn’t it, David? LOL!
I’ll say. If BS was worth anything we would all be millionaires.
Posted by: david | November 5, 2012, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
It’s comments like yours that are divisive Jeff – it’s been like that from the start with the extremist right and President Obama.
I didn’t see Jeffs comments so I can’t comment. I can say that it seems like there should be a Barak Obama channel dedicated solely to him, what he is doing, what cologne he wears..sort of a facts about Obama crawl at the bottom of the screen and then the various singers, entertainers each having 30 minute shows praising him. It seems like this guy has been running for president for 6 or 7 years now so perhaps if he wins Al Gore will give up his channel, give it to Obama bots and let the rest of the tv people show stuff that the rest of us like to watch…like Mr. Ed and Mr. Know it all.
Posted by: david | November 5, 2012, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
Posted by: Math-i-nator | November 5, 2012, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
Big Bird!
Posted by: John | November 5, 2012, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
In particular, one of those candidates seeks to please through speeches without concrete facts or distinct plans and, in essence, pander to the whims of fame and glory.
Posted by: Math-i-nator | November 5, 2012, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
Couldn’t agree more. That’s why tomorrow I will vote for President Obama as will the majority of ordinary Americans.
Posted by: Jade | November 5, 2012, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
That’s why tomorrow I will vote for President Obama as will the majority of ordinary Americans.
Posted by: Jade | November 5, 2012, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Obama is toast.
Posted by: Brad | November 5, 2012, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
99 Problems but a b**** ain’t one If you havin’ girl problems I feel bad for you son I got 99 problems but a b**** ain’t one hit me.
.
Such an honorable way to show how much you respect women….. DEMOCRAT style.
Posted by: Michelle Shu Jas | November 5, 2012, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Voting for the best #OBAMA #NOT MYTH ROMNEY AKA ROMNESIA
Posted by: Mary Grace | November 5, 2012, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
You never know what a DEM does in the booth, but you know what a REP will do.
i am a DEM but cant guess wha my friends will do.
Posted by: CJN Chicago | November 5, 2012, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
Romney/Ryan 2012!
Experienced leadership and a track record of delivering results. Clearly the better value proposition.
Posted by: Marc | November 5, 2012, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
This reminds me of the movie “Idiocracy”. Sadly, we are dangerously close to the satire becoming reality. I just hope the Republicans can hold onto the “House of Representin’ “.
Posted by: Winston | November 5, 2012, 11:58 pm 11:58 pm
@ Jade “That’s why tomorrow I will vote for President Obama as will the majority of ordinary Americans.” Yes, Jay-Z and his ilk are oh so ordinary, suffering the same layoffs, pay cuts and everyday challenges as the rest of us. Republicans are what they are and they will freely admit it, as obnoxious as they may be. The I-got-mine liberal elite? They pretend they’re like the rest of us. It’s easy to give up more when you have enough for your next two generations. I haven’t decided which is worse. I despise both. Hoping for real choices in 2012.
Posted by: LagunaTriMom | November 6, 2012, 1:31 am 1:31 am
Even though I wholly support BO (from the wings), and I’m also a slight fan of Jay Z, I think what he did was wrong and wholly inappropriate …… but the barrage of insults that have flowed as comments since …. goodness that just completely exceeds it! Why not just thank GOD you actually get a vote – one that actually counts! – go and cast it, and let the rest of the world watch in envy as you all get to engage in one of the most effective democratic systems in the world!! Some of us would be so lucky!
Posted by: Kemz | November 6, 2012, 9:01 am 9:01 am
No one has ever accused the DEMOCRATS of having any class….. looks like they continue that fine tradition.
Posted by: Michelle Shu Jas | November 6, 2012, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Springsteen’s music sucks, Springsteen sucks , Jay z sucks and so does his so called rap crap. To put it more broadly Democrats suck.
Posted by: DoggyDaddy | November 6, 2012, 10:32 am 10:32 am