The Obamas are looking pretty media-savvy this week, what with President Barack Obama appearing at SXSW last Friday and First Lady Michelle Obama slated to appear at the festival later today. In advance of that appearance, Michelle enlisted Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson, and Janelle Monae to record a pop song about female empowerment, called “This Is For My Girls.”
The song, written by Diane Warren, also features Kelly Rowland, former Disney star Zendaya, Lea Michelle, and Chloe & Halle, who are signed to Beyoncé’s management company. Sonically, the thing is a pretty straightforward, very “now” sounding pop-R&B jam, with lots of bright horns and pretty good lyrics. It is far better than one could ever hope of a government-endorsed pop song.
And why did the government endorse this song? Well, it’s part of two White House initiatives: Let Girls Learn and #62MillionGirls. The song is now available on iTunes, but you can listen to it here.
Michelle Obama will appear at a panel at SXSW today at noon EST. She’ll be joined on stage by Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Diane Warren, and Sophia Bush. Watch here.