Jay-Z breaks silence over Glastonbury

United Kingdom | | 13 May 2008

Jay-Z has rubbished claims that hip-hop has no place at Glastonbury and hit out at critics for showing a lack of respect.

Finally breaking his silence, the US rapper singled out Noel Gallagher's recent attack on hip-hop and urged the Oasis man to "move forward".

Jay-Z is set to fill the UK's most prestigious festival slot when he headlines Glastonbury on the Saturday night (28 June).

But his booking has caused controversy, with Gallagher recently claiming that hip-hop had no place at the historic Somerset festival.

Jay-Z said: "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving.

"We just have to respect each other's genre of music and move forward."

He added: "I've never ever had a show that's caused this much of a stir so I'm really looking forward to it. I've never been involved in anything this controversial. What's the big deal about doing a show?

"I guess it's heritage and people hold that dear to their heart and see it one way but that's how the world is. The world has to change.

“It just can't be one thing - and that's the beautiful thing. That's why people feel so passionate about an event."

Glastonbury Festival 2008 takes place at Worthy Farm, Pilton, from 27-29 June. Jay-Z is also headlining O2 Wireless Festival on Thursday 3 July.