President Barack Obama Names His Favorite Rappers: Chance, Kendrick Lamar, and More

The Leader of the Free World has some opinions on hip-hop.

President Barack Obama called into “Sway in the Morning” on Shade 45 to talk with hosts Sway Calloway and Heather B. about voting in the upcoming election. During the conversation, Sway brought up their unprecedented live interview from four years ago and applauded the president on how he’s “empowered hip hop in so many ways” and allowed artists to visit and perform at the White House and become influential in politics.

“I’m curious. Who are your top MCs today?” Sway asked. “Who are the top rappers in the game in your opinion?”

It should come as no surprise that two of the names the president mentioned were former guests of the White House: Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar.

“I think the young guys, Kendrick and Chance, are doing amazing work,” he said, later calling both artists “wonderful young men” who are “breaking new ground,” and noting that Lamar is “blowin’ it up; he’s doing great.”

It also just so happens that Obama has known Chance the Rapper since before his hip-hop days.

“Chance I’ve known for years ’cause his dad was my state director when I was a senator in Illinois,” he said. “I first met Chance when he was eight years old. So we’ve been family for a while.”

Another one of Obama’s favorites — and one that his whole family can get behind — is Drake.

“I love Drake, and the girls love Drake,” he said. “So he’s commercially just doing great and [is] unbelievably talented.”

He then went into some more established artists.

“Jay-Z is still the King,” he explained. “You know, he’s got a track record. Same with Kanye.”

So there you have it. Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Jay-Z, and Kanye West all get the POTUS seal of approval.