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MPWMichelle Obama

Watch Michelle Obama Rap in a New Video for College Humor

By
TIME
TIME
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By
TIME
TIME
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December 10, 2015, 5:48 PM ET
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama gestures as she speaks during a visit at the U.S. Army Garrison at Vicenza
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama gestures as she speaks during a visit at the U.S. Army Garrison at Vicenza, northern Italy, June 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini - RTX1H8ZMPhotograph by Stefano Rellandini — Reuters

By Olivia B. Waxman

First Lady Michelle Obama and Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharaoh teamed up to rap about why high school seniors should go to college in a new music video produced for College Humor, a humor site for students. Featuring music composed by YouTube celebrities The Gregory Brothers, the clip is part of Obama’s “Better Make Room” initiative, her recently launched campaign to boost awareness about resources that could help Americans pursue higher education amid falling college graduation rates.

Sporting shades and a wrap dress, she raps:

South Side Chicago, We all know
We had to do overtime every night to make it to tomorrow
and everyone could really make their dream true
Hey kid, listenin’ in Michigan
that could be YOU.

Her appearance has already inspired a trending hashtag on Twitter #FLOTUSBars, a riff on #PopeBars, which started last week in response to a photo in which Pope Francis looked like he was rapping.

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