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Jay-Z Made In America Festival Kicked Off This Weekend (PHOTOS)

Written by  03 September 2012

Its all about music fesitvals on Labor Day Weekend in America. Electric Zoo in New York City, Burning Man in the Nevada Desert and Jay Z Made in America festival in Philladelphia.

The festival took place on the foot of the Philadelphia Art Museum were the Rocky movie was filmed. The Budweiser Company and Jay-Z supported the festival, in conjunction with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

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The festival kicked off Saturday with a lineup performance from a range of genres of music, including: Miike Snow, Passion Pit, and Calvin Harris. Jay-Z himself also performe, with his own cast of guests which included Kanye West along with President Obama, who addressed the crowd through a video. Sunday featured more great performances from stars Drake, Pearl Jam, and Santigold. See the full rundown here:

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Tradionally, concerts and festivals held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway have been free, sometimes attracting over 1.5 million people. But, this concert required a ticket, and therefore may have attracted closer to only 50,000 people. Portions of the ticket prices, along with the concession profits, are going to United Way.

As an bonus, director Ron Howard will be at the festival filming the event for release in 2013.

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That President Obama addressed the crowd is a testament to the rising star-power of Jay-Z and wife Beyonce, who have developed a rising profile in national politics this year. The music pair has developed a close friendship with Barack and Michelle Obama since 2008.

Below is a recap of the top videos, performances, and photos from Made in America:

Jay Z and Pearl Jam perform 99 Problems

Beyonce Making her Rounds

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