June 20, 2008 17:02

Jay-Z: 'Glastonbury controversy is ridiculous'

Rapper says hip-hop 'should be respected like any other art form'

Jay-Z has hit out at critics of his headline slot at this year's Glastonbury Festival, branding their comments "ridiculous".

The rapper, who is set to perform on the festival's Pyramid Stage on June 28, also told his detractors that hip-hop should be respected like any other style of music.

Speaking to Tim Westwood on BBC Radio 1, Jay-Z said: "It's ridiculous, if we don't embrace what is new, then how do we progress? I've never actually experienced anything like that before. It's 2008, what is that about? That's such old school thinking, that's not even how the world thinks anymore. So I was really taken aback.

"I think that hip-hop is music and an art form, it's poetry and it should be accepted and respected like any other art form. It's just coming from a different perspective."

Jay-Z added: "I listen to all types of music and that's what should happen, that's what the world should be about, mixing culture. There's only good music and bad music."

High-profile stars have criticised Jay-Z's headline placing, including Oasis' Noel Gallagher, who called the decision "wrong", and Dizzee Rascal, who claimed that the rapper doesn't have the "crossover element" of musicians like Kanye West and Eminem.