Comments | xraolibx | MyNME

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  • Saturday, 28th November 09

xraolibx news Comments (1)

Jay-Z goes head-to-head with Noel Gallagher at Glastonbury

There are no guests, but HOVA is in fighting form on Pyramid Stage

Sun 29 Jun, 2008

Comments (1)

As an American who did not go to Glasto this year specifically because Jay Z was Sat nite headline, let me offer some thoughts:Lets be honest: there is nothing magical, nothing transcendent about Jay-Z. He is a fantastic entertainer, to be sure. And as a rapper, he is one of the best. HOWEVER, rap will never, ever have the ability that rock n roll has to take you out of yourself and create a "moment." I am pretty wasted right now so I am sure I am fucking this argument up and making no sense but, when all is said and done, rap is: msagonistic, violent and materialistic. Nothing that Jay-Z offers, as talented as he may be, can present the same opportunity for transcendence as a fantastic rock n roll band can. Why you ask? First off, rap is a medium based primarly on samples; i.e., the work of others. And what a fantastic indictment of 21st century music when someone who DOES NOT COMPOSE their own music headlines Glasto. Now look-I am not offering any other alternatives to Jay-z. For example, Oasis, in their current state, certainly do not offer anything resembling enough vibrant originality to qualify as a headline act over Jay-Z. But fuck that-just because no one else had yet to pick up the mantle dropped by the Roses or the Libs, that doesn't mean Jay-Z is the answer. He is Bull. Shit. There is nothing-I repeat nothing-rock and roll about Jay-Z. He endorses product lines-liquor and clothing. For fuck's sake, he owns part of a basketball team (New Jersey Nets.) I'm not saying Jay-Z hasn't made some amazing CDs (see Reasonable Doubt. Blueprint). What I am saying is: JZ is the wrong choice for Glasto. He is the wrong choice to the standard bearer for Rock n Roll. Materialism soaks everyone of his songs-he could not be further from a Cobain, a Vedder, a Doherty/Barat or even a Gallagher. This is not meant to be a list of who should have headlined over JZ. But it is meant to encourage everyone to take a look at JZ's body of work and question, regardless of what Emily. Michael or NME tell you, if Jay-Z and the vision of music as pure commerce, is what Glasto is all about.Thanks for endulging me....Have a great weekend everyone! R

Sun 29 Jun, 2008

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