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Janelle Monae has video of Barack Obama dancing with Usher

"This is top secret," the president joked of the video. "She can blackmail me at any time."

By Annie Martin
Recording artist Janelle Monae attends the BET Awards 13 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30, 2013. UPI/Alex Gallardo
1 of 5 | Recording artist Janelle Monae attends the BET Awards 13 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30, 2013. UPI/Alex Gallardo | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, July 25 (UPI) -- Janelle Monae has a video of Barack Obama dancing with Usher.

The 28-year-old singer and the president were among the guests at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser Wednesday. The event took place at the home of Scandal creator Shonda Rimes in Los Angeles, and Obama revealed the "secret" video's existence during his speech.

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"Janelle has performed at the White House, like, 15 times," he told the audience. "There's going to be an official Janelle Monae room in the White House. We love her. Michelle and I love Janelle. We love her energy. We love her talent. But we most of all love her character. And anybody who gets a chance to talk to her, this is just a remarkable, strong, smart young lady."

"And I have to say nice things about her because she may be the only person in possession of a video in which I try to keep up with her and Usher on the dance floor," he jokingly qualified. "Now, this is top secret. She has promised that this will never be released. But she can blackmail me at any time."

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The president urged Monae to "testify" to his skills after she confirmed she has the video.

"Now, tell the truth now, though, Janelle -- I wasn't bad, though, was I?" he asked. "I'm just saying. Go ahead, testify just a little bit ... Let me say I did not drop in splits. But I did bust a move. That I did."

Monae released her second studio album, The Electric Lady, in 2013.

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