I Got 99 Problems, But The Pitch Ain't One

Jay-Z has finally broken his silence over the controversy surrounding his Glastonbury Festival headline slot.

Oasis legend Noel Gallagher kicked off a massive debate about whether a hip-hop act should top the bill on the Saturday night.

But in an exclusive interview with Bizarre, the Grammy-winner hit back at Noel for being narrow-minded.

He declared: “We don’t play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music.”

Jay — who had a 2003 hit with 99 Problems — sees his slot at the famous festival as rap’s next logical step.

Respect

He went on: “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 other’s genre of music and move forward.”

Gallagher senior raised a chunky eyebrow to Jay’s inclusion in the line-up because he believes the West Country festival should stick to its roots.

He said: “Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music and even when they throw the odd curve ball in on a Sunday night, you go: ‘KYLIE MINOGUE?’ I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.”

But Jay reckons the punters who have objected to his inclusion on the bill are stuck in the past — and he’s relishing the controversy he’s causing.

He went on: “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.”

With global urban music sales outstripping those of any other genre, I reckon the former New York drug dealer has a strong point.

He continued: “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.

“People have that passion and have an opinion about who should perform there. But the world changes and we have to embrace the change.

“The artists of yesterday paved the way for the artists of tomorrow and that’s just how music is. For us rappers to arrive at this point has taken years.”

Wise words.

Here’s the conclusion I have drawn from the debacle: One throwaway remark from Noel at a film premiere and the world goes completely mad.

It shows how so few people have anything remotely interesting or controversial to say these days.

Along with Glastonbury, Jay-Z is also headlining the O2 Wireless Festival — and doing an arena tour in July. As I revealed last week, producer Mark Ronson will support him. The tour includes Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk