Jay-Z knows how to respond to criticism with class; rather than acting like a baby, he just sampled Noel Gallagher’s “hip-hop isn’t right for Glastonbury” sound clip, and then covered Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, before launching into a rousing, AC/DC-sampling “99 Problems”.
Oh, and reportedly he got a bigger crowd than Kings of Leon. Ha!
Where’s the love?
Tonight sees hip-hop superstar Jay-Z headline the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, is a man who has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, released 10 albums in 12 years, owns and runs both a record label and a clothing line, has kick started the careers of now-superstars such as Kanye West, and has most recently been devoting a large portion of his time to charity work.
And yet, because he doesn’t produce “guitar music”, Oasis frontman and famous talker of bollocks Noel Gallagher has said that poor Mr Carter isn’t “right” for the festival, and neither is any hip-hop (despite the fact many hip-hop acts, such as De la Soul, The Roots and Cypress Hill have all performed at past festivals). Which, in keeping with previous spoutings from the Gallaghers, complete shite.
I suppose Noel thinks Kings of Leon, who headlined last night, are more deserving of playing? Sure, they’re basically a flash-in-the pan, flavour-of-the-month boring indie-rock band who’ve only released two mediocre albums and contributed absolutlety nothing to their respective genre, but at least they play guitars. Same with recently-reformed, should-have-stayed-apart The Verve, who headline tomorrow. Is that the same Verve whose only good song relies on, mainly, a sample of another piece of music (a common practice in the realm of hip-hop)?
And Noel himself is known for borrowing (read: ripping off wholesale) riffs from bands such as The Beatles – a band he and his group idolise (read: rip off wholesale), and who helped pioneer the use of tape loops with songs like “Strawberry Fields Forever” which, among other things, paved the way for…well, sampling. Not to mention, as they went on, The Beatles actually used less and less the traditional drums, guitar, bass set-up.
Aaaaaanyway, back to Jay-Z. As it says above – he really is the only good headliner at this year’s Glastonbury festival, although unfortunatley most of the idiot-NME reading demographic won’t realise this. Which is a shame, as they’ll be going back to their tent with a Ting Tings CD or other such shit instead of listening to the joyous, Bobby Bland-sampling “Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)”, the rocking (and Rick Rubin-produced) “99 Problems”, or more recent fare from his return-to-form American Gangster album.
Sure, Hova can be arrogant, boasting, and occasionally lapses into some gangsta cliché and misogny – but it’s a hell of a lot better than what passes for modern hip-hop of a similar “style” – I’m looking at you, 50 Cent – and, unlike acts like 50 Cent, Jay-Z actually did do most of the illegal activities he sings about, for better or for worse – it isn’t just gangsta posturing; but, when the music and wordplay is so sharp, you can look over these little niggles.
Modern, young “hip” music fans need to get over their snobbery and, aruguably, latent racism over hip-hop and rap (or just black music in general); put down the (insert stupid band name here) albums, pick up some Jay-Z, some Nas, some Kanye West - you’ll find music that’s infinitley more interesting, lyrically and sonically, than the dreary guitar-based rock put out by bands like…well, Oasis, for one. Kings of Leon and The Verve for another couple.
Download “Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)” from The Blueprint
Download “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…” from American Gangster
The Long Blondes guitarist/songwriter and Jarvis Cocker-lookalike Dorian Cox is “in a serious condition” in a hospital in Sheffield, according to a statement on the band’s website;
On 9th June, Dorian was rushed to hospital after falling ill, and he is still in hospital in Sheffield in a serious condition. Because of this we will regrettably be canceling all our live appearances until the end of July. Dorian is improving slowly and we will keep you updated on his condition. If you would like to leave a message on myspace, facebook, or through the website, we would be glad to pass them on to him when we visit.
Feel better soon Dors.
The Long Blondes x
Which is pretty darn bad. The band, who released their really rather good second album “Couples” only a couple of months ago (the majority of the lyrics were written by Dorian), have canceled the following tour dates:
21st June – One Love Festival – Istanbul, Turkey
29th June – Glastonbury Festival, John Peel stage
3rd July – O2 Arena, London (with Duran Duran)
5th July – Pop Circus – Milan, Italy
7th July – Birmingham NIA (with Duran Duran)
18th July – Summercase – Barcelona, Spain
19th July – Summercase – Madrid, Spain
Get well soon, Dorian!
The second single from “Couples”, “Guilt”, is released on Rough Trade on June 30th.
