The Obamas couldn’t get enough of Marc Anthony’s feel-good jam on “Vivir Mi Vida” at the grand opening of the Obama Center! The nostalgia was hitting hard for the early 2010s smash hit. The former President could be seen with a grin as wide as Illinois as he grooved and shared a giggle with his wife at 1:15, which was also the most replayed section in the video. It’s easy to see why Obama was digging the vibes so much, as Anthony delivered an uplifting energy with his playful lead vocals and performance.
Anthony’s performance combined with a lively Latin groove from the band and soulful gospel backing vocals. The final section, where the band dropped out and left Anthony and the backing vocalists to cook, was the perfect way to close out the song. Obama has always been a big patron of the arts, and there’s no question that the former President sure knows how to deliver an epic lineup! The Music Man has to say that the opening of the Obama Center was no exception.
ABC 7 Chicago uploaded pro-shot footage of Anthony’s performance of “Vivir Mi Vida” at the Obama Center opening, and it hit 650,000 views in a little over a week. Fans had a lot of enthusiasm for the performance, and added comments such as “Marc’s performance was JOYFUL! The BEST!!!” and “The whole day was full of great music and energy, but this performance is on a whole other level.”
Anthony’s jam was the second most viral moment of the day, while it probably won’t surprise you to hear that Stevie Wonder’s set was the most viral section. The soul luminary led an all-star jam on his 1973 classic “Higher Ground.” This cut featured Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Jennifer Hudson. The jam got four Presidents on their feet and vibing – you know only Wonder has that kind of funk power! Obama was joined on his feet for the song by Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
The Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony took place on June 19, 2026. The Music Man readers might be interested to hear that in addition to the hitmakers mentioned above, the ceremony featured performances from Christina Aguilera, Eddie Vedder, The Roots, and U2’s Bono and The Edge.
The depth of the lineup, and its featuring of A-list talent, showcases how much goodwill and respect Obama built up with artists across the country during his presidency and beyond.