Jay-Z campaigns for Obama in Michigan

The Obama campaign has released a new video showing hip hop artist and mogul Jay-Z pitching for Senator Barack Obama during a special concert in Detroit, Michigan recently.

The Obama campaign released a new video on Tuesday, in which Jay-Z urges viewers to participate in the process. "I want all my people in Michigan to go out and vote," says Jay-Z. "I need you to vote November 4," he says, calling this "the most important election that will happen probably in your lifetime."

The footage from the video is taken from the rap artist's October 4 performance in Detroit. 

Michigan is a key battleground state in the presidential campaign but polls show Obama with a significant lead. The state has 17 electoral votes and voted Democrat in the last 4 presidential contests. Senator John McCain recently pulled out of Michigan to spend his resources in other states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio. Michigan also has a large black population, especially in the area in and around Detroit.

Jay-Z, the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records, is also a successful businessman. He co-owns the 40/40 Club in New York and the New Jersey Nets.