Barack Obama makes his pick from The Throne, choosing Jay-Z over Kanye West.

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.

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