Jay-Z Responds To Noel's Opinion That Having Rappers At Glastonbury Is "Wrong"
As we mentioned, Jay-Z's playing overseas festivals this summer ... like, for another instance, headlining Glastonbury. Noel Gallagher, for one, doesn't think a hip-hop artist should be playing the top Saturday night slot because it screws with the history and roots of the UK festival. Plus, "It's wrong." Jay-Z responded in an interview with Bizarre. Via The Sun:
"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.
The operative phrase here is "a hit," not "his only hit." That's the thing Noel, Jay-Z 's continued to be relevant, while you should be happy to get any festival spots, continuing to do no more than standing on the shoulders of your past accomplishment. Jay continued.
"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 .... 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.
Former New York drug dealer? Way to bring that up out of nowhere, Sun. Jay-Z, former drug dealer, had more to say.
"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."
The Sun also notes Jay-Z, a former New York drug dealer, is headlining the O2 Wireless Festival and doing a UK arena tour in July. And, speaking of white guys with guitars, Mark Ronson's his supporting act.
Posted at 10:21 AM in Where's The Beef?
Tags: Jay-Z | Noel Gallagher | Oasis
-->
-->
Kind of a low blow from The Sun. Shame on them. Like we all haven't found ourselves in New York, selling drugs to get by... right?
Score = 9
Unsurprisingly, Jay-Z's response was civil, forgiving, and thoughtful (although with plenty of "f*ck you, you insignificant ignoramus" undertones).
Score = 1
Unsurprisingly, Jay-Z's response was civil, forgiving, and thoughtful (although with plenty of "fuck you, you insignificant ignoramus" undertones). Well played Hov.
Score = 5
still trying to figure out why you determined Noel's original quote racist.
Score = 1
Not racist in anyway, but oblivious to rap music's place in the world and its expanding cross-over appeal to fans of guitar-based rock music.
Score = 5
Jay Z > The Sun and Oasis
Score = 3
Noel probably should have kept out of it in the first place. But in England he's by no means someone who had just 'one hit'. Almost every single Oasis album went #1 in the UK, and they've had loads of hit singles over there. Its not as if they were asking the opinion of some quasi-celebrity that people barely remember. Noel is a mega-star. So if you're going to accuse him saying something stupid (and he definitely did) maybe you should know what you're talking about.
Score = 16
US>UK. Keep your shitty Beatles wannabe. Didn't we beat you guys in the Revolutionary War. Oooooh....sick burn.
Score = -33
u must b a history teacher or summin geeza coz all ya can talk about is the past oasis is the best ever band in the planet and it better than all those yank 1s ( no offense 2 any other americans only the guy i replied 2 has gt me in a bad mood i do like americans my girlfreind is american) coz all da yank 1s our about suicide da only descent american band is the fray
Score = -1
someone needs to learn how to keep their mouth shut. washed out, irrelevant, f*ck has nothing important to add to society or culture anymore.
Score = -21
I have had many great times at Glasto but, not been for years coz it's gone completely downhill. So for that reason i don't see why Jay Z shouldn't play there. I mean a Glasto headliner used to be the likes of Paul Mccartney, David Bowie and Roger Walters. Jay Z??? is proof on just how bad thing have got.
Score = -12
I believe it's spelt roger WATERS. Jeez, how old are you, 12? Also, I wouldn't pay 4 bucks to see his geriatric-ass butcher brilliant material. Paul McCartney as well.
Score = 3
As usual, this discussion misses the point. Glastonbury should be about music that people in the UK think is hot because that's the people that primarily go there. Jay-Z, and most of hip hop, is just not the hottest thing anymore in the UK.
Score = 5
was it ever??? where the Spice Girls Hip Hop??
Score = 2
If you think Oasis is irrelevant in the U.K. you are completely mistaken. Liam and Noel could do nothing but fart on stage and it would sell out Wembley Stadium.
Score = 11
I think Jay Z does has a place at Glasto, just not headlining the pyramid stage. Perhaps cleaning the bogs.
Score = -23
Oh Noel, if you just listened to The Grey Album, you' see that you and Jay-Z have so much in common. Blatant note-for-note sampling of Beatles' albums.
Score = 5
Dude, that's Danger Mouse, NOT Jay Z.
To imply Noel's criticism as racist is just wrong. Its about the MUSIC, in which Noel does have a point: Most hip-hop is not meant for an outdoor festival, with the exception of The Roots and Black-Eyed Peas beacuse each is a BAND. The lack of acoustics make the sound of programmed smaples and beats not resonant well at all. It sounds like noise and its played way too loud, but that's to compensate for the lack of acoustics. M.I.A. @ Siren Festival last year ........ forget about the shitty sound system; I like her music but it was UN-A-BEAR-ABLE. Why do you think Kanye West and NIN don't play many outdoor festivals? And when acts who feature programmed music DO play outdoor festivals, why do they play inside a tent? It just sounds better in an enclosed environment with the sound bouncing off the walls, whether inside an arena, theater, club, or tent.
Score = 19
Totally agree with ParkerLane except for the saying something stupid part. Noel's opinion everywhere except for the US is respected (Oasis did sell out MSG on their last tour though, btw, something many popular acts in the US have trouble doing). Oasis has played Glasto twice and they never had a problem selling tix. As far as him saying something stupid, he was asked why Glasto was having problems selling tix and that was his answer. Makes sense to me if you look at the headling acts over the years. I don't think anyone in the UK has a problem with hip hop in general, its just they're not gonna flock to a show if the headliner is a hip hop act. Put him somewhere else on the bill.
Score = 3
Just wanted to clarify what I meant when I said Noel made a stupid remark. I agree that disappointment in Jay-Z is one of the reasons Glasto had some trouble selling out this year. But I don't agree that Glasto has no place for rap. Its one of the most inclusive, comprehensive festivals in the world, and thats where I think Noel was mistaken in what he said.
Score = 0
i actually agree with noel. and it is quite stupid to label his comment as either "racist" or "oblivious to rap music's place in the world". he didn't criticize jay-z or rap music, he critized a rock festival in essence putting a hip-hop artist to headline the main stage. i also don't think it goes well.
people are just used to make a big deal and trash whatever noel says.
and yes, jay-z is way past his glorious days in the uk. noel, on the other hand, is a huge british name, and that's not bound to change.
Score = 2
i bet your mom loves oasis.
and if you are going against your mom then you must be adopted.
Score = -2
Noel always has been a snooty prick. And Hov always has maintained his classy swagger. Can someone please take a picture of Gallagher's face as Jay hops on stage?
And has this thread really dwindled down to the elementary commentary referencing Civil War victories as a "sick burn?" ... wow.
Score = 1
hahahahahahaha
Score = 2
first it was the 'revolutionary' war? Then the 'civil' war? Please, it was the war of indipendance. Of no consequence but i just thought it needed pointing out.
Score = 1
I kinda have to side with Noel on this one, and I can't stand Oasis or their cocky sibling frontmen. Tradition does have its place and time, and shouldn't be tossed aside so that hip hop may "progress". Jay-Z sounds like he's speaking on behalf of the civil rights movement. Wasn't J-Ziggle supposed to retire from hip hop for good anyway? 99 false promises is more like it.
Score = -8
Whoever is "voting up" the pro noel post and "voting down" the pro Jay-z posts...you my friend are a racist.
as far as musical relevance goes the UK only matters in the UK, the US matters all over the world (musically speaking), once your retarded Wonderball band has made it big her, then you can say you've made it.
That’s why all those British bands came over here in the 60, that’s why bands in foreign lands try to break in over here. You don’t see American bands breaking their necks to sell a single in the UK, do you? No, you don’t.
Score = -30
So disagreeing with a black artist= racist? Or agreeing with a white artist instead of a black one? Wow, god I didn't know I had to agree with all minority opinion or I'm obviously a racist!
PS. I haven't seen any sign of racism. But I did see a HUGE heaping dose of Jingoism in your post! So good job!
Score = 7
Win!
Score = 0
u think tht da US is da rulin country on the planet well no direspect 2 da country but a soo called " amazing country" is $60 million in debt and also they have a huge crimerate and wen u think of it logically wen u call wonderwall wonderball u must b retarded calling the best song ever to b made tht and 2 ya must b a winno whos on da street all the time listenin 2 crap like boyzone and backstreet boys u dnt have a clue about music yank soo shut up
Score = -2
I don't think you're in any position to be calling anybody else retarded when you can't fucking leave a comment that isn't in 'text speak'. Seriously.
Score = 2
I got 99 bananas but a bitch ain't one!
Score = -4
to 12:40pm, has our education become so bad that people think the war with england was the Civil War? Nice smart ass answer...to bad you're not smart.
Bands in the UK have always been ignorant pricks to us Americans. But American music today is far superior to their annoying ass brit pop. American bands are just better right now and that includes rappers. Jay-Z will kill it and everyone is going to go home thinking they made a big deal about nothing. JIGGA!
Score = -3
'too bad', not 'to bad', smarty.
Score = -1
to 12:40pm, has our education become so bad that people think the war with england was the Civil War? Nice smart ass answer...to bad you're not smart.
Bands in the UK have always been ignorant pricks to us Americans. But American music today is far superior to their annoying ass brit pop. American bands are just better right now and that includes rappers. Jay-Z will kill it and everyone is going to go home thinking they made a big deal about nothing. JIGGA!
Score = -3
'while you should be happy to get any festival spots'
you obviously know very little about music fans in the U.K, if Oasis were on the bill in Jay-Z's place, Glastonbury would have sold out
Score = 3
God, Glastonbury must be hell on earth. Just a mudbath with nothing but thousands of disgusting brits surrounding you.
Score = -1
All Noel said was, its a lame move for a ROCK festival to have a hip-hop guy headlining, just because ticket sales are down. He never said Jay-Z sucks or that he has no business playing anywhere or that he's a porch monkey. Calm down people.
Score = 8
First off, Noel Gallagher is so much more of a musician than JAY-Z, its ridiculous to even pair him in the same category as JayZ. All respect to rap music and Jay Z, but its just not nearly the same as writing original music, let alone writing gems like Live Forever, the entire Morning Glory album...basically everything he's written minus one or two songs has been on some level of brilliance. What Noel is trying to do is preserve a tradition of guitar based rock music at Glastonbury. Nothing wrong with that. If music needs anything, it needs to re-embrace rock, which is what Oasis at it's core is. JAY Z is obviously corporate minded with an emphasis on achieving economic success. He's a fucking SUIT for Christ's sake. I really don't want to hear about how rich he is. It just reminds me how I'm not. I'd rather listen to Oasis...music that gets me up and feeling good. I say keep him off the lineup and have WELLER headline -
Score = -12
Jay-Z's lips look like me mum's fanny.
Score = -1
You've seen your mom's puss? Sick.
Score = -1
i like how there is no question that jay-z is more popular than noel gallagher.
Score = 2
Hip hop is "still evolving"? Sorry Jigga, don't think so. Hip hop has been saying nothing for at least the last decade. If I may quote Nasir Jones' insignificant 2006 effort, "Hip Hop is Dead".
Although I'd rather see a Jigga set than an Oasis set.
Score = -1
I would like to agree with b.LOUDs comments. I think hip-hop works much better in a club or party (which is the origin of the music itself). I've seen Atmosphere, the Roots, Dizzie Rascal, Spearhead, Roots Manuva, MC Supernatural, etc at Glastonbury, but they all played in the tent, or on the smaller Jazz stage, which gave them a chance to get the crowd involved and build an atomosphere. I have also seen Roger Waters, Bowie, REM, Coldplay etc all blow up the Pyramid stage, since they wrote the music for that explicit purpose. Also lets not forget, Glastonbury has a strong political and charitable tradition, and do songs about 'bitches' and drugs guns etc really match this ethos? Don't think I am anti-Jay-Z, I still have an Original Flavor CD knocking around somewhere, however, I just think the money Eavis has forked out on Jay-Z could probably have booked some more Worthy (no pun intended) acts...
Score = 8
Way to out-class the Gallaghers, Jay-Z. Not that that should be too hard. They are, after all, the Gallaghers.
Score = 6
I think it is simply great that this festival is open to great acts of music. Music is a great form of sharing ideas. Any one person that will disagree with good progress is a little bent, I think.
Score = 1
Since when is Glasto a ROCK FESTIVAL? I remember them inviting freaking M People to play in 93 or 94. That's hardly rock or even dance by that time, it was pure, unadultuated (and fantastic) pop. And the idea that electronic or sampled instruments don't work at Glasto is patently absurd. Go to youtube and search: pet shop boys glastonbury always on my mind. I think those 2000 concertgoers are responding rather positively to music that is not being played completely live. And really, would Noel have objected to Portishead playing sampled music had they played Glasto in the mid-90s? Somehow I think not.
Glastonbury is a MUSIC festival. And I bet you that most of the attendees under the age of 20 don't even get what Noel is on about. They sample genres like those of us in our 30s sampled ice cream as kids. They don't care as much about genre.
America is no white knight and is certainly has issues with race (and it's use as a proxy for class), but the UK has issues with xenophobia. This is, after all, a country that had fits about a Swede coaching its national football team. And maybe Noel's comment isn't racist per se, but it is an aversion to change and probably rooted in a fear of something different.
Quit trying to put everything in categories. If you don't like Jay-Z or "that god awful rap music!", then go to another freaking tent and watch Does It Offend You, Yeah? or the Kooks and be done with it. No harm no foul.
Score = 11
this whole thing is a joke by this point. glastonbury allegedly maintains the true festival aesthetic but yet they pick a headliner who has his own alcohol and clothing line. way to fuck up glastonbury, by picking one of the most commercialized artists around. it is quite obvious by this point that noel is right whether you like his opinion or not. glastonbury has still not sold out. while in 2004 when oasis headlined tickets were gone in a second. i am sure this topic will be revisited when he is bottled off the stage a'la 50 cent.
Score = 0
haha Noel is a very opiniodated guy.
You can't really blame Jay-Z. Blame U.K. Jay-Z fans.
Score = 0
1. Think of how much multi-genre inclusion there was in the heyday of festivals. At Woodstock, you had Sly and the Family Stone (soul), Taj Mahal (blues), Janis Joplin (more blues, but totally different), Santana (latin fusion), and CSNY (folk) with straightforward rock bands like The Who and The Band.
2. Noel is a giant tool who thrives on creating bad blood with other artists, so who really cares? Everyone knows Oasis sucks now.
3. All of this said, it is a little sad to see hip-hop tokenism at these festivals. Jay-Z is one of a small number of hip-hop artists that white people like, along with Kanye West and The Roots. Not to sound like the blog, Things White People Like, because that's stupid too.
Score = 3
that's the fun thing about him: he's always wrong about everything but he never shuts up. he doesn't REALIZE no one gives a shit what he thinks. or maybe he does and he just doesn't care. either way, it's amusing.
Score = -2
It's bullshit that this whole thing is being viewed as a 'who is noel gallagher anyway' deal in the states. I guarantee you if Oasis were on the bill and Jay-Z wasn't Glastonbury would have sold out. It's not a personal diss on Jay-z, he's just saying what the majority of the British public think, along with people who bought Glasto tickets think, myself included. Massive Attack are on the bill and are a far bigger act in the U.K than Jay-z. I really can't understand this controversy. Glastonbury is a rock festival. I have no problem with Jay-Z playing at it, but to put a U.S hip hop artist on the top bill for one of the most respected rock festivals in the world just doesn't fit. It'd be like if a British rock act, say Radiohead, headlined a U.S hip hop festival
Score = 2
radiohead's playing summerjam?
Score = 4
so Noel has a problem with Jay-Z headlining Glastonbury because he's not "guitar-based"...but apparently has no opinion/problem about Leonard Cohen, who's also headlining the fest, not being guitar-based either? Hmm...
Score = 3
"That's the thing Noel, Jay-Z 's continued to be relevant, while you should be happy to get any festival spots, continuing to do no more than standing on the shoulders of your past accomplishment." haha well argued there... though I have a feeling that, even if Liam and Noel brought some buckets onstage and proceeded to piss in them for the next two hours, U.K. fans (thus the people that actually buy the tickets) would still rather see them than Jay-Z. Too bad.
Score = 1
I'm British and yes.. I guess its true that Oasis are regarded as one of the greatest things ever, but I don't like them and never have done. Which is fine, we all have our own tastes.
But what I'm not keen on is the attitude of Noel Gallagher. This statement is completely unreasonable, but sadly, this sort of thing is all I ever remember him for. He regularly lashes out at anything and everyone.
Does anybody here think he's just abusing his 'status'?
Score = 7
it is definitely racist...it's clearly not the roots of glastonbury to have only indie bands as the top slot, obviously...radiohead (surprise surprise, noel doesnt like them either) is huge and they played the top slot 2 times.
oasis is so 1999. or when wonderwall came out. jealousy's a bitch noel.
Score = -5
I've debated this issue for far too long now and it's always the same problem: Europeans understand why Noel would say something like this and mostly kind of agree while Americans go apeshit crazy and call Noel an idiot and so forth.
Fact: Jay-Z is, believe it or not, the reason that ticket sales are the slowest ever for Glastonbury.
Fact: having a major hiphop artist headline a festival held on a British field is odd and not really the world's smartest move.
Fact: Noel Gallagher is a relevant interviewee for this as his band would undoubtedly sell out Glastonbury single-handedly.
Jay-Z headlining Roskilde is fine because of the background the festival has and the diversity of genres it has displayed for years. Glastonbury however...I'm going with nay.
Score = -1
The line up at glastonbury this year just isn't as good, it's not just Jay Z. This is why it has not sold out. There are also more options than ever in the UK, way more festivals than before.
Having said that, Jay Z does not appeal to the average festival goer in the UK. He could easily sell out arenas over here, because he'd get his fanbase there. But his fanbase and festivals do not equate very easily. There's nothing racist in that comment, there's also nothing racist in not liking hip hop or rap. I don't like it and I make no apologies for it, I don't like the sound of it - never have. I'm willing to be proved wrong, other musical genres have. As an aside, live hip-hop sounds even worse than the studio efforts. Is it only me that has noticed this?
nb I'm no Oasis fan thankyou very much
Score = 0
As another aside, a piece of information especially for you yanks:
The Sun is a Murdoch owned rag not fit for anal wiping. It does have tits in it though.
Score = -3
Why is Noel Gallagher the go to guy over on that shit island. Its like, here's new music...but wait...does Noel like it? He needs to get over himself. UK fans might love him, but in all honesty he is by no means a genius. Doherty is though.
Score = -1
Mmmm, Pete.
Score = 0
I guess all the shitty weather and elitist ideals really make people racist over there. Next thing you know the BNP will be protesting Glastonbury for having a brother headline it.
But who really cares anyway? I'd rather go to Coachella, Bonnaroo, or Lollapolooza than that mudfest. English people are annoying.
Score = 0
Wait, why isn't Radiohead headlining glasto again?
Score = 3
You don't hear us yanks bitching and moaning about Kanye headlining Lollapolooza! Whats the big deal, these festivals have something for everyone.
Anyways, why is everyone bitching? Jay-Z is the shit and everyone will eat their words after his performance. Noel is a self-centered douche who is jealous of other talent.
Score = 4
b.LOUD, you were spot on until you dragged NIN into the mix. NIN doesn't play festivals? Uh sorry to break it to you but one of the reasons NIN made it big time is they stole the show night after night on the first Lollapalooza tour. Since then they've probably played every major festival, if not headlined it AND to rave reviews. So Suck.On.This.
Sorry Jigga, there is no next step for rap...it is dead, dead, dead and has been for a while. It is completely sold out and commercialized...I bet most American housewives have at least one Jay Z cd. Noel is just being Noel and being rude as usual, but that's still better than having sweat shop workers crank out your crap clothing line so you can keep your girlfriend in fur and Cristal.
Score = 1
Okay, piont taken. I should of said that NIN sound BETTER indoors. My opinion, yours may differ, and Suck.On.What? This popsicle that I just got from the ice cream? Why, thank you. If you insist.
Score = 1
jigga should just sample some oasis and shut noel's dumb ass up........
Score = -1
I'm honestly shocked at Sterogum's blatant misunderstanding of Oasis' standing in the music world. Oasis is still selling more records than most (if not all) the bands currently in the Heavy Rotation on this site will ever sell in their entire career. Not only that, but most of the bands written about on this site will mention Oasis as an influence in some way. Just saying, don't take unsubstantiated jabs at a musician because you don't like their arrogance.
Score = 3
cuz thom felt that glastonbury would be sick of radiohead as they *just* played it in 2003. he wanted to wait a bit longer and said "maybe 2009."
Score = 0
to those who believe hip hop is dead: On the 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Lil Jon, etc. level, may hip hop rest in peace. But there still are some hip hop artists who are evolving their music and not just exploiting tasteless audiences with club beats and numb rhymes. Guys like madlib, MF DOOM, Ghostface, dangermouse, PB Wolf, Amplive (Hip Hop and Radiohead? C'mon, Rainydayz is a perfect example of hip hop evolving), the list goes on. It sucks that the Yo! Mtv Raps days are over, but shitty artists shouldn't overshadow new brilliance. Anyways, Noel should just be happy people still listen to his childish complaints, Jay will own Glastonbury. It'd be hilarious if he got an Oasis sample in a song and further arrange Noel's panties in a bunch.
Score = 0
to those who believe hip hop is dead: On the 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Lil Jon, etc. level, may hip hop rest in peace. But there still are some hip hop artists who are evolving their music and not just exploiting tasteless audiences with club beats and numb rhymes. Guys like madlib, MF DOOM, Ghostface, dangermouse, PB Wolf, Amplive (Hip Hop and Radiohead? C'mon, Rainydayz is a perfect example of hip hop evolving), the list goes on. It sucks that the Yo! Mtv Raps days are over, but shitty artists shouldn't overshadow new brilliance. Anyways, Noel should just be happy people still listen to his childish complaints, Jay will own Glastonbury. It'd be hilarious if he got an Oasis sample in a song and further arrange Noel's panties in a bunch.
Score = 1
to those who believe hip hop is dead: On the 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Lil Jon, etc. level, may hip hop rest in peace. But there still are some hip hop artists who are evolving their music and not just exploiting tasteless audiences with club beats and numb rhymes. Guys like madlib, MF DOOM, Ghostface, dangermouse, PB Wolf, Amplive (Hip Hop and Radiohead? C'mon, Rainydayz is a perfect example of hip hop evolving), the list goes on. It sucks that the Yo! Mtv Raps days are over, but shitty artists shouldn't overshadow new brilliance. Anyways, Noel should just be happy people still listen to his childish complaints, Jay will own Glastonbury. It'd be hilarious if he got an Oasis sample in a song and further arrange Noel's panties in a bunch.
Score = 1
I think noel wasn't saying hip-hop shouldn't be included at Glastonbury, just that Jay-Z shouldn't be the headliner. And I agree. He's not the right headline act. It's not that i don't like rap, or that im a racist, i just think there are better options.
Score = 2
This thread is about MUSIC, not some tit-for-tat American/English my-dad's-bigger-than-your-dad crap.
And music is NOT A COMPETITION. If you view it from this perspective, then you are in the wrong place. You are looking for something called SPORTS.
Sort it out.
Score = 2
anyone who agrees with noel needs to first, stop being a fucking moron, and second, listen to reasonable doubt, and third, listen to the blueprint. i would take jay-z headlining this over oasis any day. and the day after that.
Score = -2