ETHOS

By Paul Pennington

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. If you start to break it then people aren’t going to go. I’m sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music…I don’t know about it. But I’m not having Hip-Hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.” ~Noel Gallagher of Oasis

Looks like Jay has been taking classes with Wayne at the Guitar Hero School for Rock&Roll

This weekend Jay-Z headlined the legendary Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, much to the dismay of many diehard fans of the event. One of these haters came in the form of Oasis band member/clown Noel Gallagher. While Gallagher’s distaste with Jay-Z’s top billing is understood, it shows that he does not actually know the history of his beloved event and that he is a world-class douche.

From a historical perspective President Carter is not the first Hip-Hop act to grace the Glastonbury stage. Just to name a few others: Cypress Hill, Michael Franti, Stereo MC’s, The Black Eyed Peas, The Roots and De La Soul…twice. Now, the quick argument could be made that these are “alternative acts”, with sounds more conducive to the Glastonbury norm. This may be true. Said acts are, in fact, more prone to using live instruments, as well as playing sounds relative with the “guitar music” more closely aligned with the events other performers. What this ultimately reveals however, is the blatant ignorance of Gallagher. If he had done his research-even youtubed the guy-he would have noticed the progression of an older, more mature Jay-Z. This is an artist whom, at this point in his heralded career, solely performs using extravagant bands big enough to be a philharmonic. Have you heard “Roc Boys”…with the horns….OHHHHH BAAAABY!!!!!!

Being the 30 Something grown man that he is, Shawn Carter was humble and dignified in his response to Gallagher:

“We don’t play guitars, Noel, but Hip-Hop has put in its work like any other form of music. 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.”

We should all applaud Jay-Z for being the bigger man…oh yeah he did this too:

I’m sure that Jay-Z covering Noel’s song “Wonderwall” and then doing “99 Problems” was not necessarily the most epic ethering in history…I mean Hiroshima was pretty bad too…

Now to be fair, Oasis is dope. I mean the UK basically pumps out amazing bands (Jamiroquai, Coldplay, Zero 7, Radiohead, 4hero, Brand New Heavies) that may or may not get much American love, despite being better than 99.9% of the music that comes out of the US. I mean Oasis only makes #1 studio albums in the UK…literally. Because of this, I definitely do not want to simply brush off Gallagher’s comments as mere hate…almost. However, it seems that he might be a bit out of touch or maybe just a little bitter. Apparently he didn’t get the memo that Jay-Z will be headlining the O2 Music Festival in London as well as embarking on a UK tour later this year…I guess they don’t like “Hard Knock Life” overseas. Furthermore these comments are coming from a guy who once said that he hoped that two members of the competing English band Blur (also pretty dope) would “catch AIDS and die,” thusly solidifying his place as a grade-A jackass and/or clinically insane individual.

Beyond Gallagher being a hater and just a mean-spirited person (even impressing me…), I must say that the larger point is how awe-inspiring Jay has become. What can be taken from this event is that he is truly bigger than Hip-Hop. I don’t think people have really come to terms with how ginormous it actually is to headline Glastonbury (next year’s headliner will either be Coldplay or Radiohead…and I’m booking my flight already)…and as a Hip-Hop act…it’s unimaginable. On that stage was a very smart and sophisticated artist. He understood the audience and adapted to it-all the while maintaining his artistic integrity. This guy had the ten bajillion person audience at Glastonbury throwing up the roc for an entire set (although having them shout “Jigga What…Jigga Who” was a lil’ bit awkward). That’s a very big deal and if you really think about it pretty dope. Overall, the concert (which can be found on my youtube page) has gotten phenomenal reviews from both sides of the battle, showing how groundbreaking the concert was-transcending any specific genres. Jay didn’t just do Hip-Hop, he did music and that’s why the crowd hung on to every verse and that’s why he’s the best ever…because everybody from Brooklyn to Britain loves H to the Izzo.

At least he didn’t bring out Memph Bleek, Noel…even I would have been on your side for that one homie.