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Jay-Z hits back at Noel Gallagher in Glasto row

'We have to respect each other' says the Glastonbury headliner

May 13, 2008 | 23 Comments
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Jay-Z has hit back at Oasis mainman Noel Gallagher's recent comments that hip-hop is "not suitable" for the Glastonbury festival, which the rapper is set to headline.

Noel Gallagher said Jay-Z and hip-hop was wrong for Glastonbury last month, adding, "I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance".

The rapper has hit back at the singer/guitarist by backing up his genre, and calling for respect between those who make different types of music.

According to The Sun 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.

"From Afrika Bambaataa DJ-ing 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 the line.

"We have to respect each others' genre of music and move forward."

Jay-Z went on to say that he was looking forward to his headline slot at Glastonbury on June 28, despite the controversy surrounding it. "I've never ever had a show that's caused this much of a stir so I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I've never been involved in anything this controversial," he added. "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."

alex_hoban

May 13, 2008

well said jay-z.I think everyone's going to be pleasantly surprised this year. with expectations apparently so low there's no way to be let down, so as long as it doesn't rain this could end up being the best glasto in a long while...

Ellis6000

May 13, 2008

I dont think the headline acts are the real reason people go to glasto, they go for the atmosphere, theres always so much goin on that one of the acts bein a bit dodgy isn't the most important thing. it shouldn't put people off

itzokayy

May 13, 2008

I can't believe this debate is still going on. This festival once had Youssou N'Dour and Maxi Priest, Peter Gabriel, The Levellers, Skunk Anansie, Coldplay, Stereophonics and Rod Stewart playing in very prominent positions. And the world is coming to an end because OMG they picked a rapper? How provincial can those who can't get over this signing really be? My guess is that Noel's just pissed cos no one, really no one wants to see his cabaret troupe anymore.

bluez maverick

May 13, 2008

Well said Jay-Z, his reply shows a lot more thought consideration and understanding than Noel's rubbish.Personally I'm not a fan of either's music, but Jay-Z(or his managment at least!) have gone up in my estimation by saying something that makes sense. On the other hand Noel slipped even lower down than I though possible - interesting that as new Oasis stuff starts to look like surfacing he starts slagging poeple off in the press - there is a pattern to his outbursts.On the subject of Jay-Z playing - great at said above they have had a wide range of acts playing and so it should continue. If you don't like an artist go to a different stage or grab a bean burger, a beer, a pair of wellies etc....Or just don't bloody go if you don't like the line up!! Don't complain just cos you don't like the line up one year, lots of others will like it....

dr_nowt

May 13, 2008

Jay-Z's articulate diplomacy in this retort serves even more to expose Noel Gallagher as the blinkered and irrelevant old fart he really is.

Grievous Bodily Harman

May 13, 2008

Well said Jay-Z, nice too see you not stooping down to Noel's level. This has really shown Noel up in a bad light if you ask me. Well balls to him, noone's taken Oasis seriously for the last decade anyway. I think Jay-Z will be one of the highlights of the weekend.

bonnieprince

May 13, 2008

well said mr jay z . noel g is so boring its untrue. oasis jesus what a joke . they are just a pub band. a bland pub band.

Jess_a

May 13, 2008

I hope Jay-Z puts on the best performance ever because all the people criticising and making a fuss will have to eat their words, especially Noel. And to be honest it won't be hard for him to give a better performace than Oasis did back in 2004!

ava86

May 13, 2008

Although im not into rap music, havin jay z is better than kylie being announced to headline in 2005? at least he writes some of his own musical output? how come no hipsters complained when she was supposed to be playing?

the_troglodyte

May 13, 2008

I think Jay Z kinda missed the point about Noel's comment. Jay Z is fine to play at some music festivals but not Glastonbury, I'm thinking something like V which has a bit more of a broad appeal but its like inviting Girls Aloud to play at Download, it's an absolute joke. It's nothing to do about not respecting the genre, Jay Z is obviously up there at the top for what he does it's just that there's a place and a time for everthing (and headlining Glastonbury isn't it)and I think Eavis has got this one badly wrong and its the final nail in the coffin for glastonbury as we know it. They should have went down the sensible route of dedicating a stage or a stage for a day to hip hop or something but to randomly just stick him on the bill is plain stupid. Next year maybe they'll have the Spice Girls, N'Sync, Mcfly, Scouting for girls and Justin Timberlake & Timbaland all up on the main stage!! Thankfully the good people at Carling would never let this happen at Reading or Leeds.......I hope!!!

Superbeak

May 13, 2008

At the end of the day, people will vote with their feet. You can't sell hip hop to hippies.

Micro_Oasis

May 13, 2008

This is a ROCK festival not the DIVERSITY festival. Jay-Z was right, yes, but, no one ever really understood what Noel meant. It wasn't racism, it was the opinion of a rock-band leader. Do you imagine him at a "yo-yo" festival?and by the way, "no one wants to see his cabaret troupe"?? You'd better look at their shows.....

wellduhobviously

May 13, 2008

The Troglodyte: Download is primarily aimed at the Kerrang! market with its mix of metal, punk and emo.Reading (and latterly, Leeds) have played host to a vast range of artists across a number of genres.Glastonbury is a contemporary arts festival. Not a guitar music festival. Not an indie festival. Contemporary arts. Like it or loathe it, rap and hip hop are contemporary arts.I'm not a fan of Jay Z, or his genre, but in choosing him as a headliner, the family Eavis have proven they have a solid understanding of their remit.

rick 13

May 13, 2008

jay z is shit!!! all you idiot hip hop fans would be moaning like fuck if oasis or kasabian performed at a hip hop show, i cant understand why all u idiots dont get what noel meant, its not like he was calling jay z a wanker or something, even tho he is

fetska

May 13, 2008

Two of the most historic headlining glasto sets ever? Orbital and the Prodigy. Not many guitars there... Once upon a time Glastonbury respected innovation and difference.

joda01

May 13, 2008

Good to see people talking sense and realising that there is a place for different genres - apart from rick 13 who comes over as a twat. This isn't about if Jay Z is good or not, it's about showing that Glastonbury can be more than just a guitar festival. Why should it be a rock festival, because some people think it should.

The Liberys

May 14, 2008

I respect Jay-Z's music, and rap in general, but I don't think that this kind of artists are apropiates for Glasto. Some might say that the people go to the festival to enjoy the atmosphere created there, I'm sorry, but the most important part of a great atmosphere is music. And the atmosphere that everybody (almost everybody) wants is made thanks to dirty guitars and the attitude of rock and indie bands.

Ziggychaz

May 14, 2008

I always thought that Glasto was about a little bit of humility and peace in this world? Yeah, Jay-Z may put on a great performance, but is hip hop bling really what the true Glasto people want to see?

spray86

May 14, 2008

I just want to say to the_troglodyte comments on Reading/Leeds festival not stooping to such lows, that Mr Jay Z has already played that festival along with Eminem and Fidy Cent, all playing high up on the bill. So its not a new thing and might possibly be a good move for Glastonbury. All I'll say on the matter is if they were to book a rap artist to headline you go for the likes of Kanye West who appeals to a wider audience.

tidyboy

May 14, 2008

nice one jay z, cant wait to see it on tv, got 99 problems but a gallagher aint 1!!!!!!!

shaunyeah

May 21, 2008

jay z isnt making sense there, Noel said he's not suitable for glastonbury, he didnt slag off hip hop. its like saying lets take a rugby team to the next football world cup, steven gerrard saying rugbys not right for the football world cup, then ben cohen saying that steven gerrard shpuld respect rugby. where is the sense in that?

wonkeykong

May 28, 2008

rap music has already evolved from the raw underground sound and voice of the troubled to an absolute blinged up joke that aint even about the music anymorehow is souljah boi anywhere near the musical merits of rakim, tribe called quest, PE etc?jay Z is the anti-thesis of a classic glasto artist. no-one who craps in a plastic chamber and sleeps in a wet field for 4 nites cares about his iced out rimsthere IS room for hiphop at glasto - ie kool keith at the park. but he's a good artist who, on a level playing field, is as good as indie bands. but jay z, you are not. enjoy the warm bottles of 'tramps cider' dripping down you - you should have stuck to your chavved up gigs at milton keynes and hyde park

truth 15

Jun 28, 2008

shut up rick13 jay-z is a great artist , you racist fool and i can tell your racist coz only racist people act like that. Most white british people dont inderstand hip hop thats why they didnt want him there. People who know about music love all types and understand all types like me, i dont understand why people didnt want him there. and say if it was oasis wanting to perform in a place where jay-z , lupe and say lil wayne were performing people would be angry saying its racist and stuff so its no different now.