U.S. President Barack Obama has backed Kendrick Lamar to win a hypothetical rap battle with Drake, and called Lamar's recent album the "best album I heard last year".

In a new interview with YouTube creators Destin Sandlin, Ingrid Nilsen, and Adande Thorne, Obama was asked who he would back if Drake was to go up against Lamar in a rap battle.

"You gotta go with Kendrick. I'm just saying," he said. "I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer, but Kendrick... his lyrics... His last album was outstanding."

Drake battled with Meek Mill in similar circumstances last year (15) and won, and while Lamar and his Canadian counterpart have never been in direct competition with one another, many fans often debate who's the best.

The President also recently revealed that How Much a Dollar Cost, from Lamar's album To Pimp a Butterfly, was his favorite track of 2015.

The rapper also had more good news this week (ends17Jan16), after being handed the keys to his native Compton, California, by Mayor Aja Brown. He will be officially given the freedom of the city in a special ceremony due to take place on 13 February (16).