Why Andre Carson says Jay-Z could be a better president than Donald Trump

After checking out Jay-Z's "4:44 Tour" in Washington D.C., Indiana Rep. Andre Carson said that not only could the Brooklyn hip-hop legend give Donald Trump a run for his money in a presidential race, he might be better suited for the job.

Carson's comments came Friday during a seven minute interview with TMZ. The chat was a follow-up to a short clip captured by a TMZ cameraman who asked Carson after the concert if he thought Jay-Z would do well in politics.

"Jay-Z would be awesome in politics," Carson said in the clip. "I think Jay-Z, I think P. Diddy, I think Damon Dash, Master P ... they remind me of guys I grew up with from my hood ... I think these guys show that if you believe in yourself, you network and you have a great team, you can be what you want to be ... I say Hova for president."

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In the follow-up interview, Carson explained that Trump has changed things in the political world and has opened up an avenue for those without the typical political track records to run for the nation's highest office.

That's why he doesn't think you can rule out someone like Jay-Z.

"If you look at President Trump’s candidacy, a lot of people wrote him off. And I think if you look at Jay-Z’s background, he's an excellent businessman. He's very thoughtful. He has been open about his personal growth, so why not?" Carson said. "We're living in a different time when the American people are open to all kinds of possibilities. It could be electing someone from the artist community. We did it with Ronald Reagan. We could do it with Jay-Z. 

"I think a part of making America great again is not going back to some mythological good old days. Part of making America great again means that we have to recognize within our citizenry that there are great minds and great thinkers who can move us forward."

Carson went on to say that while he doesn't know if Jay-Z has any political aspirations, he knows that Jay-Z played a big role in getting President Barack Obama elected.

When asked if Trump may make it difficult for another celebrity to get a chance at the White House in the future, Carson said being a celebrity isn't what makes Trump's presidency problematic.

"I think it's the fact that he has not allowed those persons around him who have (political) experience to have input," Carson said of Trump. "I think his impulsivity has really overshadowed the importance of the presidency, and I think a part of being a good leader is recognizing that you need people who are smarter than you around you to help make your presidency great or your organization great." 

The conversation then shifted to Carson's love of hip-hop. That is when the congressman revealed that he is a former emcee who honed his skills as a battle rapper, and once opened Indianapolis shows for rap icons Ice Cube and Too Short.

Carson was then asked who would win in a rap battle between himself and Sen. Marco Rubio, to which he replied that it would be no contest. 

"I grew up with hazel eyes and freckles so I was a target of those who underestimated me. I had to get very skillful with my wordplay and my metaphors and my similes," Carson said. "So I think I'd crush Rubio ... I’m rusty but I've got bars."

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138 or email him at justin.mack@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.