President Barack Obama enjoyed a boost from the Hip Hop community during his 2008 presidential campaign, and has long been linked with Jay-Z, as well as other Hip Hop artists.

Prior to a pair of fundraisers, an interviewer for theatlantic.com managed to ask the President which emcee from The Throne he prefers: Kanye West or Jay-Z.

“Jay-Z,” replied the President, before adding, “Although I like Kanye. He’s a Chicago guy. Smart. He’s very talented.”

“Even though you called him a jackass?” asked the interviewer, citing a 2009 incident in which the President was caught on camera having some harsh words for Kanye after he took the spotlight from Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards.

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“He is a jackass,” retorted Obama, who added with a wink, “But he’s talented.”

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