I don't like rap at all, and very little hiphop. if I were going to a concert, and a hiphop or rap act came on, I'd leave. That doesn't make me conservative or racist– it means I have exquisite taste.

ummm…..your taste is your taste but that does NOT make it exquisite……
I love rap and many forms of Hip Hip hop. I have two degrees and am very well spoken…so what does that say about my taste????
Don't put the music down just because you may not be fond of it. Thats very IGNORANT

Thanks for understanding that I was purposely overstating my taste in music. I guess neither of your degrees involved the study of irony.
See? I did it again.
Then, at the end of my sentences, I place a period. All of the better people are doing it.
Wow. I can't stop doing it!
Oh look! You did the exact opposite at the presumed end of your last sentence. And the word was 'ignorant', which makes both your point and mine. Superb, jess2much4u!

Glasto is not a hip hop festival. Hip hop has not really been that important to the British music scene. He really does not belong.

oh and the is nothing exquisite dehumanizing women, perpetuating violence and putting on a Minstrel show

I can understand why some people(including myself) hate gangster rap but to give all types of rap music a bad label is wrong.

Maybe its less about Jay Z and more about his "pop ness" and the things he raps about. Since The Roots performed at this concert and there was no controversy, this could be more about the kind of rapper or sub-genre of rap music and not race.

@ M, I agree about JayZ but I have to give him props for putting a ring on B's finger and not having any children before he was married.

It is sad that we give people props for doing whats expected "nowdays".

Hmmm…..cute. lets see if you can get to the [point with out swimming in satire for once. thanks. is that period big enough for you???.

I agree with the genre comment.

I can totally visualize a music festival where the Roots and Cypress Hill are appropriate acts, but Jay Z is not. England can be pretty casual about racism, but I don't think this is an example. Despite ill considered remarks by those involved.

Shut up Megs. Period.

Racism is alive and well in England. Let's be honest. However, not everyone on the planet enjoys rap or Jay-Z. Believe it or not.

Well, everyone has a right to listen to music that they like. I have no problems with Rap music (even if I don't like it myself) as long as people of an appropriate age are listening to it.

I think the choice of performances should be based on what fans want. If Jay-Z went to Glastonbury, would people be happy? According to the ticket sales, probably not.

Some people just don't like Hip Hop, just as some don't like Pop or Heavy Metal. In this case, Jay-Z realizes that this isn't a market for him, so he'll take his business elsewhere.

Sometimes it can be difficult for people to relate to rap lyrics. I know I can't relate to rap - my life is completely different. The lyrics have no meaning for me, while for others they can be extremely meaningful.

In the end, taste is different for everyone. Some people like it. Some don't.

Megs..it seaks nothing to your taste, it means you don't like hip hop, and those who do (I love Jigga, but I love Mozart and Elton John as well) well, do.

However, I think the promoter needs some guidance as The Roots performing is a bit of a different show than a Jigga show, and the roots musicality seem like it may be more in line with the type of show being put on..

But hey, one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time is Jay-Z Unplugged, in which he does a show backed by the Roots!

Well Meg, as inflection doesn't necessarily come across in your writing, maybe you should add more explanations, as in your second post. Your first post didn't come across as ironic, just snobby.

I thought Meg's first post was funny, but that her second post was cheap.

ps I like hip hop and Elton John, but not the union of the two.

This festival seems to be about musicians who play instruments. The Roots fit because they're musicians first, even though their music draws from hip-hop as well. Jay-Z is more of a "two turntables and a microphone" kind of performer. I know he's done other things that might qualify him, but I want to hear rock at a rock festival, and hip-hop at a hip-hop concert. It's not like Jay-Z will ever be at a loss for venues.

Without any irony or snob whatsoever, I agree with Txgal's punctuation and her agreement with my initial premise. Rap and most hiphop are not universally beloved. As to 'shutting up', I will– immediately after developing the capacity to do so.