By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway J. Calloway
Jay-Z is a self-made man, and he recognizes that President Barack Obama is one too.
Back in the day, Hov was told he couldn't get a recording contract, so he started his own record company to sign himself. Similarly, Obama was told he needed more seasoning before trying his hand at the presidency.
But during a sit-down with MTV News before Jay's concert in Washington, D.C., on Monday night, Jay said he realized Obama's mettle regarding the matter during a conversation they had.
"I think the most important thing [Obama] said to me — 'cause everyone's wondering — it seemed like the dream ticket for him to run for vice president until he got some experience under his belt and then go for president," Jay said.
"But he was like, 'Nah, I want to be president now.' And ... just that strong will and determination. Look where he is now! In the beginning, no one believed he had a shot. This is a community organizer out of Chicago with little political experience. But that goes to show you the strong will and the connection to a people. It wasn't about how many years you've been in politics.
"I think that actually helped him, the naivete of that — that he may do something different. And there was a time where in America we felt like we needed something different. He was the right man at the right time."