With less than a week before Jay-Z is set to perform at this years Glastonbury festival in the UK, the rapper has hit back at the critics who have expressed disappointment that Jay-Z will be headlining a traditionally rock music based event.

In an interview with UK Radio 1 DJ, Tim Westwood, Jigga said he was “taken aback” by the reaction to his scheduled performance and said that the critics were “Old School Thinking.”

“It’s ridiculous, if we don’t embrace what’s new, then how do we progress?” Jay said, “I’ve never actually experienced anything like that before. It’s 2008, what is that about?”

“[It's] such old school thinking, that’s not even how the world thinks anymore. So I was really taken aback.”

A number of artists have spoken out at the decision for Jay-Z to headline the festival, with perhaps the most surprising critic being UK Rapper/Grime artist Dizzee Rascal who said that as a fan of Jay-Z he was unsure if Jigga had enough “Crossover” appeal.

Noel Gallagher, who is the front-man of rock band Oasis, made headlines earlier this year when he also spoke on the situation saying that Jay-Z performing at Glastonbury was “Wrong.”

“I listen to all types of music and that’s what should happen, that’s what the world should be about, mixing culture. There’s only good music and bad music.” Jay-Z said to Westwood. “I think that hip-hop is music and an art form, it’s poetry and it should be accepted and respected like any other art form. It’s just coming from a different perspective.”

Next week Jay-Z will embark on a tour of the site and will visit “Trash City,” a field of artwork created with old metal and other waste materials, HipHopsHome.com has learned.

Glastonbury Festival 2008 will be taking place between 27th-29th of June at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.

In addition to Jay-Z, The Verve and Kings Of Leon are also set to headline the event.