A

hip hop album by Michelle Obama? [1]
Yet another example of the expanding influence and impact of the music.


Just a few weeks ago, Nas was honored[2]
with a hip hop fellowship in his name at Harvard University. Teachers are using hip hop[3] in their classrooms to get students
interested in math and science, and now the first lady, Michelle Obama is utilizing hip hop as a platform to educate and influence young people.


Her “Let’s Move[4] !” program plans to release a hip hop album
complete with 19 songs and 10 music videos in conjunction with the Partnership for a Healthier America[5]
and Hip Hop Public Health[6] .


The album, set to be released on September 30th features artists including [7] Run DMC,
Ashanti, Doug E. Fresh and Jordin Sparks. The video above, called “Everybody” was released in June and features an appearance from the First Lady and Dr.
Oz.


Obama is far from shy when it comes to showing off her hip hop moves. Back in 2011, we saw her[8] doing the “Dougie” and “The
Running Man” at the Alice Deal Middle School and since then, we’ve also seen her dancing to Pitbull.[9]


The rest of the videos will be distributed across the country beginning with 40 schools in New York City and expanding to other major cities, according to US News And World Reports.


"Throughout history, music has been a great teacher and motivator, from ABC’s and nursery rhymes to religious hymns and national anthems. It is time to
harness this power for health,” explained Founder of Hip Hop Public Health Dr. Olajide Williams[10] .


The directors of the project are looking to create a strong resonance within the African American community. Close to 50 percent of African American
children are overweight, according to[11] a 2011 National Healthcare Disparities Report.


"Cultural leaders and visionaries in our country can give these messages to kids in a way that's not preachy. Kids are going to be dancing and listening to
the music,"Let's Move! Executive Director and White House assistant chef, Sam Kass explained.[12]
"I think hip hop in particular – so many kids love hip hop. It's such a core part of our culture ...and particularly in the African-American community and
the Latino community which is being disproportionately affected by those health issues."





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  • First lady Michelle Obama exercises with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama (R) dances with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during a debut of a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called 'Let's Move Active Schools' to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)




  • First lady Michelle Obama exercises with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama exercises with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama exercises with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama (5th L) dances with school children during a debut of a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called 'Let's Move Active Schools' to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)




  • First lady Michelle Obama, interacts with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28,2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama speaks about a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called 'Let's Move Active Schools' to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)




  • First lady Michelle Obama gestures as he speaks in her hometown of Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • First lady Michelle Obama speaks about a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called 'Let's Move Active Schools' to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)




  • First lady Michelle Obama exercises with children from Chicago Public Schools, in her hometown of Chicago, as she makes a major announcement helping to bring back physical activity to area schools, while celebrating the third anniversary of her 'Let's Move' program , Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)




  • Guests listen to first lady Michelle Obama speaks about a school exercise program February 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama unveiled a new initiative called 'Let's Move Active Schools' to help schools create a physical activity programs for students. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)