Jay-Z received parenting advice from Barack Obama.

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.

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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".