Michelle Obama to Release a Rap Album

Michelle Obama is getting America's kids to eat their veggies and move more — with a rap album. Songs for a Healthier America, a 19-track hip-hop compilation, was set for release on September 30, 2013 as a joint project of the Partnership for a Healthier America (which the First Lady chairs) and Hip Hop Public Health, with support from her Let's Move! campaign.

Who's on the album?

Some of the biggest names in music signed on: Jordin Sparks, Ashanti, DMC of Run DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Monifah, Matisyahu, Travis Barker, Ariana Grande, and even New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert. Tracks included "U R What You Eat," "Veggie Luv," "Hip Hop LEAN," and "Pass the Rock."

Is Michelle Obama rapping?

No — she won't be laying down any verses. But she does appear: a speech of hers is sampled in the intro to "Everybody," the Jordin Sparks–Doug E. Fresh collaboration that debuted on The Dr. Oz Show in June. She will, however, appear in the videos urging kids to move more and eat healthy.

Where will it go?

The plan was ambitious: make music videos for 10 of the 19 songs and distribute them to schools across the nation, starting with 40 schools in New York City and then expanding to Washington, Philadelphia, and San Antonio.

Why hip-hop?

Let's Move! executive director Sam Kass put it plainly: "Cultural leaders… can give these messages to kids in a way that's not preachy. 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."

Some skeptics raised eyebrows at the genre — rap music isn't the first thing most people associate with a First Lady. But reaching kids where they are was exactly the point. A first in American history: the First Lady as a hip-hop album producer.

Read more about the album