This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
And Finally Artist News Media
Obama offers presidential tips for West, but Kanye’s already moved onto a bigger prize
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 12 October 2015
Barack Obama has offered Kanye West some advice for the US presidential campaign he may or may not be embarking on in a few years’ time; West having previously said that he planned to run for election in 2020.
Obama was speaking at a $10,000-a-ticket fundraiser for the Democratic Party in San Francisco, at which West was also booked to perform. First, he suggested that being married to reality TV star Kim Kardashian might be a good grounding to start from: “You’ve got to spend a lot of time dealing with some strange characters who behave like they’re on a reality TV show”, he joked.
But then he turned to challenges the rapper might face: “Do you really think that this country is going to elect a black guy from the South Side of Chicago with a funny name to be president of the United States?” he asked. “That is crazy”.
Barack Obama is a black guy from the South Side of Chicago with a funny name. Just in case you didn’t get that gag. And fact fans might like to know, Barack Obama has been elected president of the United States twice.
Finally, referencing the title of one of West’s albums, he added that “saying you have a ‘Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ – that’s what’s known as ‘off-message’ in politics”. So, basically, you shouldn’t mention it. Though it is, of course, mandatory to have one.
But, whatever, it seems that West might already have moved on to a different sort of election – the rapper apparently auditioned for the latest (and final) series of ‘American Idol’ at the weekend. His performance deemed up to standard by the judges, he was awarded a place in the next stage of the show.