Rapper DMX has never heard of presidential hopeful Obama

Rapper DMX has never heard of US presidential candidate Barack Obama - because he doesn't pay much attention to politics.

The 'Party Up (Up In Here)' star - real name Earl Simmons - was asked in an interview with US hip-hop publication XXL if he was following the presidential race, to which he replied, "not at all".

But bizarrely, when asked about his views of Obama - who if successful in his campaign will be the first black president in US history - the hip-hop star insisted he has never heard of him, and was shocked there was an American politician called Barack.

In the interview he says, "Barack?! What the f**k is a Barack? Barack Obama. Where he from (sic), Africa?"

When advised the Illinois senator's father was Kenyon, he says, "What the f**k? That ain't no f**kin' name, yo. That ain't that n**ga's name. You can't be serious. Barack Obama. Get the f**k outta here."

The 37-year-old explained his lack of knowledge, stating he "ain't really paying much attention" to the bitter battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton to become the democrat candidate.