Watch black artists explain why they loved Obama singing 'Amazing Grace' at the Charleston funeral

Black artists tell The Associated Press what watching Obama sing &quot;Amazing Grace&quot; meant to them — (Image credit: AP/YouTube)

On Friday, while eulogizing Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the slain pastor of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church, President Obama broke into song, leading the congregation and mourners in a round of "Amazing Grace." On Sunday, before the BET Awards in California, The Associated Press asked some of the gathered black actors and musical artists what they thought of that moment. Everyone AP talked to was enthusiastic.

Laverne Cox went a little off topic, but one artist after another — Smokey Robinson, Big Sean, Gabrielle Union — talked about the joy and catharsis it brought them, and what it meant watching the president of the United States humble himself in song before the mourners and the nation. You can watch the interviews below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.