Beyonce Knowles

Despite what most people would consider an unconventional friendship, Presdent Barack Obama insists his relationship with hip-hop’s most famous couple isn’t all that unusual. In an interview with Cleveland radio station Z107.9, the U.S. leader explained,  “Obviously they’re unbelievably successful, but they really are down-to-earth folks. And we talk about the same things I talk about with all my friends."

According to Politico, the incredibly famous trio first became close when the musicians supported Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Beyonce later sang at the presidential inauguration and Jay-Z performed several concerts encouraging voter participation. 

As for Blue Ivy, the couple’s newest addition to the family, Obama, father to two daughters, Sasha and Malia, shared some parenting advice with the “99 Problems” rapper. "They just had a new baby. …I made sure that Jay-Z was helping Beyonce out and not leaving it all to mom and the mother-in-law.”

The 44th POTUS went on to say that his daughters are big fans of  the former Destiny's Child and that she “could not be sweeter.” Somewhat surprisingly, Obama also admitted he has a ton of Jay-Z songs on his iPod, with “My First Song” being one of his favorites. “It’s a great song. It reminds you that you always have to stay hungry.”

Reach reporter Leah Harari here.