Barack Obama hasn’t been in danger of losing the title of coolest president ever since he snatched it from Bill Clinton about 10 seconds into his first term. But he’s spent the last few months of his presidency shoring up his claim by dancing to “Hotline Bling”, throwing a music festival on the White House lawn, and now by talking about his favorite rappers on Sway in the Morning.
Granted, his choices aren’t going to surprise anyone who’s been paying attention, but it’s rather novel that the Commander in Chief is talking about guys like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper at all. “I think the young guys, Kendrick and Chance, are doing amazing work,” POTUS said. “I love Drake, and the girls love Drake, and, you know, so, he’s commercially just doing great, and unbelievably talented.”
Proving his hip-hop knowledge doesn’t begin and end in the modern era, though, the President also waxed nostalgic. “You know, Jay Z’s still the king. I mean, you know, he’s got a track record,” he told Sway. “Same with Kanye [West], so there’s a lot of talent out there.
“But when I look at who’s breaking new ground, Kendrick and Chance, those guys are doing just amazing work,” Obama continued. “And they’re wonderful young men. Chance, I’ve known for years ’cause his dad was my state director when I was a senator in Illinois, so I first met Chance when he was 8 years old, and so we’ve been family for a while. And Kendrick, you know, he’s blowing it up. He’s doing great.”
Maybe Barry has more of a hand in those POTUS playlists than previously thought. After all, he did personally invite Chance and Frank Ocean to his final White House State Dinner. Something tells us that regardless of who wins this next election, the White House is going to be a lot less hip for the next four years.
Listen to the whole interview below.
