Michelle Obama was nearly brought to tears after rapper 2 Chainz surprised her with a deeply personal gift tied to one of her favorite childhood memories.
The former first lady, 62, became visibly emotional during the Wednesday, September 9, episode of her “IMO” podcast after the rapper presented her and her brother, Craig Robinson, with a painting based on a treasured family photograph.
The image showed Michelle and Craig as young children standing with their late father, Fraser C. Robinson III.
Michelle stared at the artwork before wiping her eyes and letting out an emotional, “Oh, dude. Oh, man.”
Her brother was just as stunned.
“You’re trying to make me cry,” Robinson told the rapper.
The emotional moment came after 2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed K. Epps, opened up about his own late father while discussing his life and new memoir.
Epps called his father his “best friend” and revealed that his funeral took place on July 4, 2012.
Michelle immediately noticed the significance of the date.
“The Fourth of July is my oldest daughter’s birthday,” she said, referring to Malia Obama.
Epps also spoke about how difficult it was for fathers of his generation to openly express their emotions.
He said his father rarely told him directly how proud he was. It was only after his death that Epps began hearing stories from friends and relatives about how often his dad bragged about his son’s success as a rapper and businessman.
Michelle and Robinson said the story reminded them of their own father.
As the conversation grew increasingly emotional, 2 Chainz suddenly revealed that he had brought something special for the siblings.
“I might have something for you,” he teased. “Because I wanted to leave y’all with something like this before I go.”
Michelle looked off-camera and exclaimed, “Oh my god.”
Epps explained that art plays a role in his new book and said he wanted to give the pair something meaningful.
The rapper had commissioned Los Angeles artist Umami Bee to recreate the beloved family photograph as a painting titled “Family Matters.”
The gesture immediately overwhelmed Michelle.
Robinson revealed that the original picture is one of the siblings’ most cherished family photographs.
“This is one of our favorite, favorite photographs,” he said.
The photo shows Michelle and Craig as small children standing in front of their father, with both siblings barely reaching his chest.
Their father died in March 1991 at age 55 after suffering complications from multiple sclerosis. His death came about a year before Michelle married Barack Obama.
Epps appeared emotional himself as he explained why the moment meant so much to him.
“At the end of the day, I wanted to give you guys something because, honestly, I never thought I would be on a platform like this for my book,” he said. “It never crossed my mind.”
Robinson called the rapper “too kind,” while Michelle showered him with praise.
“You are one-of-one, dude. You really are,” she told him.
Still holding the painting, Michelle said the entire conversation had been special.
“It’s been a gift to spend this time with you,” she told Epps. “This was a gift. This was a good gift to us.”
She added that the episode would also be a gift to the people who watched it.
“You are a special man,” Michelle told him.
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Please… never mention those people again! That nightmare is over…