Obama Says Kanye West is 'Very Talented' But Still a 'Jackass'
— -- President Barack Obama has told The Atlantic he prefers Jay-Z over Kanye West, who he called "very talented" but still "a jackass."
Obama memorably dubbed West a jackass in September 2009 after the hip-hop superstar's notorious and rambling interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at that year's MTV Video Music Awards.
"I like Kanye," Obama told The Atlantic's David Samuels at a political fundraiser in New York City. "He's a Chicago guy. Smart. He's very talented."
"Even though you called him a jackass?" Samuels asked.
"He is a jackass," Obama replied." But he's talented."
The president has previously said that he has Jay-Z on his iPod, as well as Frank Sinatra, and opera legend Maria Callas. But no Justin Bieber.
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