US musicians react to Joe Biden dropping out of election race

US musicians are joining scores of Americans in reacting to the news that President Joe Biden will withdraw from the 2024 presidential election race. 

The 81-year-old made the shocking announcement on Sunday. 

"While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," he said in a statement. 

Read his full statement here: Biden drops out of 2024 election race

Biden is backing Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee for the November elections. If officially elected, she will go up against former president Donald Trump, who, after surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, saw his favourability rise.

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EGOT winner John Legend says Biden "more than earned re-election, but time and age come for us all". 

"I am grateful for the grace and patriotism he has shown by choosing to step aside for the sake of the country," he wrote. 

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Singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand also sang Biden's praises. 

"Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4-year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy," she wrote on X.  

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'Bodak Yellow' rapper Cardi B is Team Harris after Biden's announcement. 

"STOP PLAYING WIT ME!!!! Check the date.. said this on JUNE 30TH! been told y’all Kamala should’ve been the 2024 candidate. Y’all be trying to play the Bronx education, baby this what I do!!! Been my passion.. don’t let my accent fool y’all" she wrote on Instagram in reply to a video she shared a few weeks ago about Biden's reelection chances. 

In the video, Cardi told her followers that she won't be voting in the next election. 

"I feel like it was very selfish of Biden or the whole Democrat party that they allowed Biden to continue to run for president. I feel like they should have passed the torch to Kamala. This was the perfect moment for her. Right now, I don't feel like we have a strong candidate," she said in the June 30th video. 

Lizzo noted that "we are truly living in unprecedented times". Ellen DeGeneres wrote on Instagram: "I’m grateful to President Biden for everything he’s done."

Before hearing Biden's announcement, Cher went to X to express concern about Biden running against Trump.

"In my heart, I'm tortured Bbecause I don’t believe the Democrats can win the Presidency with 'Pres Biden',  'Joe', whom I’ve Loved since we met in 2008. I campaigned for him. I believe it's time to pass the baton. Time for Dems to think 'way' outside the box. Maybe even a split ticket," she wrote. 

She returned to X after Biden's withdrawal. "I believe it is the only chance 4 [American flag emoji] 2 remain democracy," she wrote. 

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Main image credit: Instagram/@johnlegend, @barbrastreisend