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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