Jay-Z Defends Kanye's Comment That 'Bush Doesn't Care About Black People'!

Following an appearance at the New York Public Library on Monday (November 15) to promote his new memoir Decoded, which was released in stores yesterday (November 16), Jay-Z appeared on NPR’s Fresh Air to address many topics including Kanye West’s feud with former U.S. President George W. Bush.

Earlier this month, in an exclusive interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer, Bush revealed that Kanye West’s comment at a 2005 Hurricane Katrina benefit that he "does not care about black people" was one of the lowest points in his presidency, which was "strange" according to the Brooklyn-bred rapper, who came to West’s defense.

"First, I find it strange, like everyone else should, that one of his lowest points was somebody talking about him," Jay-Z said. "He's the President. People should insult him a lot. That's part of the job description."

The rapper also echoed an excerpt in Decoded, which explains how the relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in Louisiana were mishandled. "It didn't feel like a natural disaster; it felt like it was happening directly to blacks," Jay-Z continued.

"And immediately those images of people in suits getting beaten, sprayed with hoses, beaten on the bridge at Selma, all these emotions were going on inside of us. Kanye really spoke what everyone else felt," he said.

The rap mogul also addressed the obstacles current U.S. President Barack Obama has to face following Bush’s legacy, which he referred to as "the worst eight years of our life." "I think he's had so many challenges. I applaud his efforts and where he's going," he said.

"Of course, it's not 100 percent, but you have to take into context what he inherited and what he's working with. He's in the negative, and if you think he can fix eight years of damage in two years, I don't know if that's realistic."

Jay-Z’s Decoded, which tells the stories behind many of the rapper’s most famous song lyrics, is available in stores now and, in an effort to promote the book, fans of the rapper can participate in a worldwide scavenger hunt on Bing.com for a chance to see Jay-Z live in concert this New Year’s Eve.

The contest ends on November 20, however, fans who answer every clue correctly will also win lifetime passes to see the rapper at any concert of his, anywhere in world. Visit bing.com/decodejayz for details.

YORAPS.COM