This is the Chicago rapper Rhymefest, who met David Cameron over a cup of tea at the House of Commons today to discuss the Tory leader's concerns about violent hip-hop lyrics.

The Grammy-winning rapper - real name Che Smith - wrote to Mr Cameron after hearing his criticism of DJs for playing violent songs but the two men agreed that hip-hop should not be banned - although it should display more "social responsibility".

Mr Cameron was unable to accept an invitation from the musician to go out clubbing in London tonight, however. His office said that he was otherwise engaged.

Rhymefest was accompanied to Parliament by executives from the Sony BMG music label. Mr Cameron said they also discussed his proposals for a "music for good" initiative to harness the power of music to raise funds for positive projects, such as community radio stations, around the country.

Curiously, there was no photo-opportunity of the two men together. Tory spin doctors evidently feared a 'William Hague moment' - a repeat of the photo of the former party leader in a baseball cap that only served to show how out of touch he was with the young generation.

Rhymefest, who has previously worked with Kanye West, told reporters outside the Commons that Mr Cameron revealed his liking for the rap star, as well as for Eminem’s notorious song Stan, in which a hip-hop fan kills his pregnant girlfriend.

"Rap music comes from urban rebellion. What we doing comes from our frustration. Why do we got to change? Why can’t the things that cause us to yell out and cry for help change?" he asked.

"I’m not saying take out the violence, I’m saying balance it out with social responsibility."

The rapper added that he had found Mr Cameron "very Bill Clinton-y", but refused to say whether he would vote for him, saying: "I’m not really a voter."

"I asked him to come out to a club with me tonight and he said he would come - I think we’re going to Yo-Yo’s," he said. "You know politicians - they’d say anything to get you out of the office."

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