Mikie Sherrill just performed with hip-hop royalty, may already be Jersey’s coolest governor ever (VIDEO)
Mikie Sherrill officially became New Jersey’s governor Tuesday morning. By night, she added “rapper” to her resume.
Hours after the former congresswoman was inaugurated as the Garden State’s 57th governor, Sherrill hosted an inaugural ball at the American Dream mega-mall in East Rutherford. The celebration featured a performance by iconic New Jersey hip-hop group Naughty By Nature.
Sherrill joined the group, natives of East Orange, on stage as they performed their 1991 smash hit “O.P.P.”
The new governor was spotted wearing a Naughty By Nature hoodie over a yellow dress as she danced and jumped along with the group, even reciting verses from their popular song. (What it means that she was performing a song about “other people’s property” remains to be seen.)
Sherrill’s office said the 54-year-old former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor is a longtime Naughty By Nature Fan — going back to her college days. Her team said Sherrill asked for the group to play her ball, and it was her idea to join the performance.
Her performance was … actually pretty cool? Sherrill seemed reasonably comfortable beside Vin Rock, Kaygee and DJ Slugga of Naughty By Nature.
It was a far cry from Phil Murphy’s viral jump for joy during his victory speech (which was meme’d into oblivion) and Bruce Springsteen superfan Chris Christie featuring the B Street Band (an E Street Band cover band) during his inaugural ball.
Earlier in the night, sans hoodie, Sherrill delivered a toast to the state she now leads.
“Here’s to every single person in New Jersey,” Sherrill said, as she raised her glass to the hundreds of people in tuxedos and gowns packed onto American Dream’s covered indoor ice rink. “May you find peace and prosperity in the Garden State.”
Earlier in the day, Sherrill delivered an inaugural speech that sharply criticized President Donald Trump and reiterated her campaign promises to make New Jersey “more affordable.”
NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.
