BET salutes the Obama's with star-studded farewell concert: 'Love & Happiness' -a love letter

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But as Obama explained, the evening was not just about "black music."  "This is an essential part of the American experience," he said. "It’s a mirror (of) who we are and a reminder of who we can be."

Held on the White House's South Lawn last month, the star-studded musical celebration, aired Tuesday and served as "a love letter to the president and first lady" and featured powerhouse performances from Jill Scott, Janelle Monaé, Common, Usher, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Roots, De La Soul, Yolanda Adams, Michelle Williams, Kierra Sheard, and former Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr.

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"This event may be called Love & Happiness, but much to — I know — your sadness and regret, I will not be singing Al Green," Obama deadpanned to the audience. But he said the special is a more enduring tradition.






"Ever since 1801, when the U.S. Marine Band played the first reception hosted by (President) John and (first lady) Abigail Adams, live performances have always been a part of life at the White House," he said.
Bell Biv DeVoe perform “Poison” during BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" concert hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 21, 2016. 
Bell Biv DeVoe perform “Poison” during BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" concert hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 21, 2016. 
That reception set a precedent that would see Chester A. Arthur opening the White House doors to the all-black Fisk Jubilee Singers, Theodore Roosevelt hosting Scott Joplin and the Kennedys doing the twist in the East Room. "(That) may not sound like a big deal to you, but that was sort of the twerking of their time," Obama said. "There will also be no twerking tonight — at least not by me. I don’t know about Usher."

President Obama said live performances were among the first family’s favorite White House traditions: "It's with a little bit of bitter-sweetness that this is our final musical evening as president and First Lady."

Common, with Yolanda Adams, performs during 'BET Presents
Common, with Yolanda Adams, performs during 'BET Presents Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration.' (Photo: Chuck Kennedy, The White House)
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Usher performs during BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" concert hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 21, 2016. 
Usher performs during BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" concert hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 21, 2016. 


In a way, the Obamas' eight years in the White House has been a similar mirror — at least for Samuel L. Jackson, Jesse Williams, Angela Bassett and Bradley Cooper, who reflected on what the first family meant to them. Jackson called Obama "our crown jewel"; Williams affirmed the president and first lady's "legacies were still being written"; Bassett called their "out-loud love" inspiring: and Cooper joked the Wolfpack would reunite if it meant Obama would stay.
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Janelle Monáe performs during BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" concert hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 21, 2016. 
"I hope when (viewers) hear people tell their personal stories about how this presidency has impacted them, it will strike a nerve," Orlando says, in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's win. "I hope it makes people get involved in these next four years."

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