The `Forever Young` rapper - whose wife Beyonce gave birth to their first daughter Blue Ivy Carter last January - was told he should be a hands on father by the US President.

In a recent interview with Cleveland, Ohio radio station Z1079, the father-of-two opened up about his relationship with the 44-year-old rapper and his 31-year-old popstar wife who performed her rendition of `At Last` during the President`s inaugural ball in 2009.

He said: "I made sure that Jay-Z was helping Beyonce out [with Blue Ivy, 10 months]. And not leaving it all with mom and the mother-in-law."

The 51-year-old President - who is hoping be re-elected and secure his second term next month - also revealed he and his wife Michelle, with whom he has two daughters, Sasha and Malia, now consider the rapper and Beyonce good friends.

He said: "I`ve gotten to know these guys over the first several years. They`re good people. They`re down to earth. Beyonce could not be sweeter to Michelle and the girls. So they`re good friends. They really are down-to-earth folks. We talk about the same things I talk about with all my friends."

The President also said his favourite Jay-Z song is `My First Song` because the song reminds him "to always stay hungry."
sections: Celebrities