World leaders from around the globe and tens of thousands of South Africans gathered in FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela. President Obama, former president Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were among those in attendance at the massive memorial service. But here in the States, a few hip-hop stars paid tribute in their own ways.
Jay Z took his Magna Carter … Holy Grail Tour to Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he dedicated his set-closing “Young Forever” to the anti-apartheid South African leader who endured a 27-year prison sentence before becoming the first democratically elected black president in his country.
“We want to dedicate this song to Nelson Mandela. Great man, who spent 27 years in prison, came out to be president. All dreams are possible,” Hov told the L.A. crowd on Monday as pictures of the man they called Madiba flashed on the arena’s screens. “Let that great man stand as an example of what you can do,” he encouraged the crowd.
Nas Remembers Nelson Mandela As Icon And ‘Stand-Up Man’
Wyclef Jean chose to honor the beloved world leader by posting a video for his new song “Nelson Mandela Tribute.” ‘Clef sits alone in a room playing guitar and rides the rhythm, telling Mandela’s story in song form. “I wrote this song when I shook the hand of the prophet, Nelson Mandela,” he wailed as a picture of Wylcef, U2’s Bono and Mandela appeared onscreen.
The Game expressed his love for Madiba in a different way. In an Instagram posted on Tuesday, the Compton rapper showed off a new Nelson Mandela tattoo, which he got inked on the side of his torso. “Nelson Mandela lookin out of the prison bars by @NikkoHurtado done on my side. 7 hour sitting…. Few more hours to tie in the tats around it & we solid,” he captioned the pic.
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