 13/05/2008 Glastonbury headliner Jay-Z has hit back at Noel Gallagher’s claim that hip hop has no place at the festival.
As previously reported on Planet Notion, Noel Gallagher is far from happy at Jay-Z’s inclusion as a headliner, commenting that “I’m not having hip hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.”
Noel’s comments sparked quite a debate in the media and on festival messageboards, with many leaping to the Oasis stars defence.
Speaking to The Sun’s ‘Bizarre’ column, Jay-Z hit back directly at Noel, explaining: “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. From Afrika Bambatta DJing in the Bronx and Run DMC going platinum, to Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince winning the first rap Grammy, I’m just next in line.”
And speaking of rumours that he would pull-out of the festival and the reaction his inclusion has garnered, Jay-Z seemed unfazed: “I’ve never ever had a show that’s caused so much of a stir,” the New York rapper explained, “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? 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. But the world changes and we have to embrace the change.”
Jay-Z will also be headlining the O2 Wireless Festival and will be supported by Mark Ronson in July for an arena tour of the UK. |
