The Most Important Part Of That Atlantic Story About Kanye
You should read the entirety of “American Mozart,” the new Atlantic story about Kanye West and “Watch the Throne.” But one anecdote in particular stands out. It involves the President (of the United States):
“I have a question I want to ask you, Mr. President,” I venture, once I catch his attention.
“Sure,” the president says.
“Kanye or Jay-Z?”
The president smiles. “Jay-Z,” he says, as if the answer should be obvious. …
“Although I like Kanye,” Obama continues, with an easy smile. “He’s a Chicago guy. Smart. He’s very talented.” He is displaying his larger awareness of the question, looking relaxed, cerebral but friendly, alive to the moment, waiting for me to get to the heart of the matter.
“Even though you called him a jackass?,” I ask.
“He is a jackass,” Obama says, in his likable and perfectly balanced modern-professorial voice. “But he’s talented.”
Truly, we live in wondrous times. You should still read the entire story.
