Jay-Z performs during the Budweiser Made In America Festival Benefiting The United Way at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 1, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images/AFP

Jay-Z called on friends in high places to help launch his inaugural Made in America music festival this weekend - U.S. President Barack Obama and Kanye West both featured in his headlining set.

The rapper launched the event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and thrilled the crowd by performing a 90-minute set on its first night on Saturday.

The first cameo of the evening came in the form of a pre-recorded video message from Obama, who called Jay-Z's life story "What Made In America means" and admitted to listening to the hip-hop star's music on his iPod.

Jay-Z performed a string of hits including 99 Problems and Empire State of Mind, and although there were no signs of his superstar wife Beyonce, he brought along a few more crowd pleasers, including Swizz Beatz as a guest during his track On To The Next One.

Closing his slot, he announced to the crowd, "Since you were so good to me, Philly, I'm going to be good to you tonight!" before introducing West and his GOOD Music team for a surprise 30-minute set

Skrillex, D'Angelo, Calvin Harris and Passion Pit were among the other acts who played on the first night of Jay-Z's extravaganza.