A less likely encounter in the BBC coverage of the US presidential race was between Jeremy Paxman, curly lipped Newsnight anchor, and Dizzee Rascal, hip-hop artist.

Paxman: “How does this seem to you?”

Rascal: “Hip-hop played a big part in this as well, I don’t think [Barack Obama] could have won this without hip-hop.”

P: “You’re rather positive.”

R: “Yeah man, why not man? If you believe, you can achieve, innit?”

P: “Do you believe in political parties in this country?”

R: “Yeah, they exist, I believe in them. I don’t know if I care.”

P: “Mr Rascal, do you feel yourself to be British?”

R: “Of course I’m British. You know me. I think, it don’t matter what colour you are, it matters what colour your heart is, man. I think a black man, purple man, Martian man could run the country, whatever man, as long as he does right by his people.”

P: “Why don’t you run for office?”

R: “See, that’s a very good idea. I might have to do that one day. Dizzee Rascal for prime minister, yeah! What’s happening?”

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