Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z (real name Shawn Corey Carter) has spoken out about the myriad of criticism he’s faced over his headline spot on the upcoming Glastonbury music festival in the UK.

The “99 Problems” star is being touted as one of the reasons behind the festival’s slower-than-usual ticket sales, with British acts such as Oasis, with guitarist Noel Gallagher arguing any hip-hop star’s inclusion is “wrong” because Glastonbury “has a history of guitar music”.

“We don’t play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music,” Jay-Z has told The Sun newspaper.

“This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving. People have a passion and have an opinion about who should perform there. But the world changes and we have to embrace the change. I’ve never been involved in anything this controversial. What’s the big deal about doing a show?”

Performing alongside the likes of the Verve, Kings Of Leon and Massive Attack, Jay-Z will take on his critics when Glastonbury kicks off on Friday 27 June in Somerset, South West England.