Justin Bieber

In a new interview with The Atlantic, President Barack Obama is asked who he is a bigger fan of - Jay-Z or Kanye West. Obama chooses Jay, but adds, "Although I like Kanye. He's a Chicago guy. Smart. He's very talented." Writer David Samuels responded, "Even though you called him a jackass?," referring to comments following West's behavior at the 2009 MTV VMAs. Obama replied, "He is a jackass. But he's talented." Meanwhile, Jay-Z's wife Beyonce has posted a handwritten letter to First Lady Michelle Obama online, praising her as "the ULTIMATE example of a truly strong African American woman." B's letter on Beyonce.com can be read here.

Producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig has revealed he was in the studio recording with his old Nevermind friends Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic. The former Nirvana bandmates and Vig were recording with a "special guest" this week according to a tweet from Vig yesterday. He wrote, "The last 24 hours have been surreal! Had a great gig at the El Rey last night, and spent today recording with Dave, Krist and special guest!" It is possible that the recording session is connected to Grohl's upcoming documentary Sound City, on the legendary L.A. recording studio where Nevermind was made.

Lil Wayne tells MTV that he has inked a new, four-album contract with Cash Money Records. Weezy has been signed to the label since he was just 11 years old. In the same interview, Wayne announced he is working on a new album called Devol. He is expected to release I Am Not A Human Being II at some point in 2012 as well.

Welsh rockers Lostprophets have signed to Fearless Records. The band's fifth album Weapons is due out June 19 and it was produced by Ken Andrews (Failure, A Perfect Circle). "With the business being as it is, and America being such a huge market to be absent from, we couldn't be more flattered and excited that Fearless are giving us another crack at it - Another shot, if you will. Warped Tour will remind everyone - old fans and new - how good it is having Lostprophets on these shores. It's been a long time since a UK rock band has made a real impact in America and we're ready to carry that torch," says singer Ian Watkins.

The Rock Allegiance festival has been announced for Hershey, PA at Hershey Park Stadium on September 1. The complete lineup for the event will be announced on Monday, April 16. Visit rockallegiance.com for more information.

According to multiple reports, holograms of the late Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg will "perform" at Coachella this weekend. KROQ/Los Angeles and TMZ have reported the two deceased rappers will appear alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. There have been rumors all week about the Dre & Snoop performance, including the possibility that they will be joined onstage by Eminem, Warren G and Wiz Khalifa, among others.

Alkaline Trio singer Matt Skiba's new solo project Matt Skiba and The Sekrets will release Babylon on Superball Music on May 8. The band has announced a North American tour for next month as well, kicking off on Skiba's home turf of Chicago on May 7. The trek winds up in Pomona, CA on June 24.