The singer praised the rapper's new album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', calling it a "genius record".

"I listen to everything. I'm on the new Kanye West record, for example. It's a genius record. People who mock rap, and say, 'I don't like it,' they should go check out Kanye in the studio rapping. Or Eminem when he's in the studio," Elton told Teen Music.

He added: "It's a phenomenon. Don't knock it until you've seen it. It may not be your cup of tea, but don't ridicule. I find that so many of my peers of my age don't listen to anything new. I love the new."

Meanwhile, Elton John has spoke out about gay marriage opponents at a recent fundraiser.

(by Holly Frith)