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The arguments over the English festival

In 2008 Jay-Z was confirmed to headline the English festival - Glastonbury and this event also became the reason for many arguments.

It was said in the interview to BBC that the reason for this choice was to break the tradition and make some new contribution to the festival, something which would be totally different. Besides, the organizers of the festival wanted to attract people under 25, young people who are fond of hip-hop. About 175,000 people had the chance to visit the festival but the tickets were sold just on the last day before the event.

This decision was criticized by Noel Gallagher, the Oasis guitarist, who considered that it was a wrong decision to invite the hip-hop headliner. In his opinion this was too much and such festival as Glastonbury with the fixed traditions of guitar music is not the right place for hip hop style, which is too Americanized. Hattie Collins working for RWD, urban music magazine, referred to words of Noel Gallagher as "ill-informed rubbish". He called Shawn Carter a "Great crowd puller".

There was much criticism directed to the Gallagher's attitude, who was afraid of breaking the habit and introduction of the new style of music at the festival. Many people agreed that the program of the festival should embrace hip hop.

One more fact which added the disputes was the slow ticket sale, which used to be sold out within several hours as a rule, but this was better explained by other factors. Not the choice of Jay-Z was the reason for it, but the horrible weather and flood of 2007. This was confirmed by the organizer of the festival Michael Eavis. Besides, he added that the line-up was not announced. People were not aware of the participants of the festival. He stated in the interview that Jay-Z is the best choice the festival had for years.

Jay-Z's responded to the criticism of Noel with the words that hip hop continued developing and all need to respect the genres of each other to move forward together. But best of all was his response to Gallagher when he ironically opened the festival playing guitar and performing the song of "Oasis" "Wanderwall".

This was not the only festival Jay-Z headlined. There were other European festivals of 2008, such as Norwegian Hove Festival, Rockslide Festival held in Denmark, Wireless Festival in London. During the European tour Jay-Z had a great success and the rapper himself was very satisfied with it. In spite of Noel Gallagher attitude, Jay-Z said that he did not bear any grudge and was even ready to collaborate with English singer.

After the trip Jay-Z started his work over the next album, which is the 11th studio work. Released in September of 2009, it was called The Blueprint 3. The release which was planned on September, 11 took place earlier on the 8th of September. This date was chosen because it was the eighth anniversary of the first Blueprint. The album leaked online before the official release, but Jay-Z commented that it was a preview and added that he might have been the most bootlegged artist. One blogger called it a "hip hop pot of gold"; Jay-Z also said that he was proud of what he has created. The reviews of the critics were positive too.

The recording of the most part of the album took place in Hawaii. Avex Honolulu Studio was chosen to keep away from potential leakage. Mr. Hudson, the protégé of West also said that he liked it more there, being far away from the noise of the city. Different sessions took place in various studios in different cities of the USA and even Australia.