President Barack Obama recently hit the big 5-0 and celebrated the occasion at two fundraisers in Chicago, and with an exclusive, invite-only party at the White House with a few high profile names, like Jay-Z, Chris Rock, Tom Hanks and R&B singer Jennifer Hudson who reportedly sang “Happy Birthday” covered The Beatle’s “Let It Be.”
“I could not have a better early birthday present than spending tonight with all of you,” Obama told the crowd Wednesday night. “It is true that I turn 50 tomorrow, which means that by the time I wake up, I will have an email from AARP, asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare,” he joked.
The Chicago fundraising events on Wednesday night (Aug 3) doubled as kick-off events for Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
The President hosted a private celebration the next night (Thu. Aug 4) at the White House, where he invited close friends and family to a reception held in the Rose Garden. Attendees included Hip-Hop titan Jay-Z, comedian Chris Rock, actor Tom Hanks, Rev. Al Sharpton, Charles Barkley, Grant Hill, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and more.
Chris Rock tweeted late Thursday night:
“Just left the Presidents birthday party at the White House. Herbie Hancock played, Stevie Wonder sang and yes they did the electric slide. A great night!”
Check out a few pics below, as well as the video footage of Jennifer Hudson singing Happy Birthday” to President Obama:
