Jay-Z has been tapped to perform at the swing state’s rally for President Barack Obama.

Jay-Z is among the performers who will take part in President Barack Obama’s rally in Columbus, Ohio on Monday (November 5).

Ohio, an extremely important swing state, is key to the presidential election. And while well-known artists like Bruce Springsteen will also be performing, it’s Hov who’s got the ultimate honors: introducing President Obama himself.

Jay, who once rapped that he was “a small reason why the President is black,” has had a longstanding relationship with the President. Obama has stated that Jay-Z is among the artists on regular rotation in his iPod, and Obama even appeared in a video during Jay’s “Made in America” festival. Jay has, in turn, supported Obama’s stance on gay marriage, and helped host a fundraiser for the campaign in September.

The move confirms speculation in 2010 that Jay-Z would be involved in Obama’s 2012 campaign.