Barack Obama, President of the US, claims Beyoncé 'runs the world'

The President highlighted the achievements of Black people in the US during a university speech

Beyonce sings the national anthem at Obama's Inauguration in 2013 (Getty)

Who run the world? Beyoncé, according to the President of the United States.

Despite the president often being hailed as 'most powerful man in the world' and 'leader of the free world', Barack Obama conceded that crown to Beyoncé when he gave a speech to students at Howard University on Saturday.

The President spoke to graduating students at the leading historically black college about diversity and racial inequality when he hailed Beyoncé and Shonda Rhimes as examples of successful black women. Obama, 54, said the US is a “better place today” than when he graduated from Columbia University in New York City over 30 years ago, reports the Associated Press.

“A lot of folks didn’t even think blacks had the tools to be a quarterback,” Obama told students. “When I was a graduate, the main black hero on TV was Mr T. Rap and hip-hop were counter-culture. Now Shonda Rhimes owns Thursday night and Beyoncé runs the world.”

Rhimes is the creator and writer of hit TV series’ Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal starring Kerry Washington. Beyoncé’s influence and popularity is evident from the mass conversation, favourable critique and internet gossip spurred when she released her latest album Lemonade two weeks ago. She has since broken US chart records by having every track from the album in the US Top 100.

Obama continued: “[Today] we’re producers, studio executives. We’re no longer small-business owners, we’re CEOs. We’re mayors, representatives.”

The president admitted there is still inequality and diversity problems as well as existing racism in the country which he called on graduates to help solve.

“I’m not saying gaps do not persist,” he said. “Obviously, they do. Racism persists, inequality persists. America needs you to gladly, happily take up that work, so enjoy the party because you’re going to be busy.”

Additional reporting by Associated Press.