Jay-Z: 'Barack Obama Has Made Everyone Part Of American Dream'

US rapper Jay-Z has paid tribute to Barack Obama, who will be sworn in as America's 44th president in Washington later today (January 20th).

The rapper, who has been passionate admirer of the politician, told MTV Mr Obama had made everyone part of the “American process”.

He said: "So that's the progression and the process. Now there's no excuses for anybody. Now you can look into a child's eyes and say, 'Get it together. You can be president.'

“It's not an easy thing, but it can happen. And we have evidence to the fact."

Jay-Z also spoke about the meaning behind his verse in Young Jeezy's song 'Mr President'.

In the song, Jay-Z raps: "Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk/ Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run/ Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly / So I'mma spread my wings/ You could meet me in the sky."

When asked to explain the lyrics, Jay-Z said he wanted them to show the “progression” America had made.

“It feels good to say that, 'cause I never had that type of feeling to say as a nation, like I was part of the American dream,” he said.

“And I believe a lot of people didn't feel like a part of the American process for so long."

Jay-Z played a 'Concert of Change' for president-elect Obama last night (January 19th).

As previously reported on Gigwise, a host of music stars kicked off the two day inauguration celebrations on Sunday with a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

CLICK HERE to see extensive coverage of the concert, or click through for selected highlights below

We Are One concert