Jay-Z Sings: ’99 Problems but a Mitt Ain’t One’

Jay-Z Sings: ’99 Problems but a Mitt Ain’t One’

Jay-Z performs before President Obama speaks at a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio.(Nov. 5, 2012)
*Jay-Z changed a line in his 2004 hit “99 Problems,” swapping out “b**ch” for “Mitt” during his performance at a rally for President Barack Obama Monday in Columbus, Ohio.

The new title: “99 Problems and a Mitt Ain’t One.”

“I changed this one up, I have to do it, I’m sorry. I didn’t get clearance from the Secret Service so if they come tackle me y’all save me,” Jay-Z said onstage before the president’s speech. “I didn’t get that vetted, so let’s do that real fast before they come snatch me off this stage.”

Jay rocked a brief but energetic set for the flag waiving crowd, playing such favorites as “Run This Town” and “Encore,” during which he swapped out the usual chants of “Hova! Hova!” with “Four More Years!”

Jay’s opening act was Bruce Springsteen, who has become a familiar presence on the campaign trail over the past week. Performing songs including “No Surrender” and “Land of Hope and Dreams,” Springsteen also did his own version of a stump speech and his “campaign theme” for Obama, called “Forward and Away We Go.”

“I kissed your sister then I kiss your mama; Usually this time of the day I’m in my pajamas; Well let’s vote for the man who got Osama; Forward and away we go!”

Springsteen had a sense of humor about the simplistic lyrics, saying, “That is how you can get to where I am today. That kind of songwriting.”

After Obama, sounding hoarse, gave his closing argument stump speech, his rock star friends emerged from behind the scenes for a curtain call.