Jay Z backs Clinton with pre-election concert

The US rapper joins a long list of celebrities who have shown their public support for the Clinton campaign.

Jay Z will hold a free concert in Cleveland to encourage people to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The US rapper and producer will headline the show to take place on 4 November - four days before election day - in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jay Z joins a long list of celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and his own wife Beyonce to show support for the White House hopeful.

"Jay Z will be joined at the concert by special guests to encourage unity and urge Ohioans to support Clinton by voting early or on Election Day," the Clinton camp said in a statement.

Jay Z's wife Beyonce attended a Clinton fundraiser in New York City in 2015

The event will specifically target young black voters - an important electoral demographic for the Clinton campaign.

It will take place in Ohio, the seventh state with most electoral votes in the US and often considered the most important swing state.

Recent polls have shown Ohio is seen as a close battle between Mrs Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Cleveland was also the site of a free get-out-the-vote concert Jay Z held in support of Democrat Barack Obama just days before he was elected president in 2008.

Jay Z is one of the music industry's most influential producers

Pop star Katy Perry and rock singer Jon Bon Jovi will also do their part to support the Democrat.

Perry will headline an event in Philadelphia on November 6, while Bon Jovi will also perform in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis from Friday. skynews