Jay-Z has come out as a supporter of gay marriage. In an interview with CNN he said he thought the ban on gay marriage was "something that was still holding the country back." The rapper made the comments after President Obama said he supported states legalising marriage for same-sex couples.
Hip-hop mogul added: "What people do in their homes is their business. You choose to love whoever you love. It's no different than discriminating against blacks. It's discrimination plain and simple."
When asked if he thought that Obama's stance on gay marriage might lose him votes among African-American religious leaders, Jay-Z said: "It's not reallly about the votes. It's about people. Whether it costs him votes or not, it's the right thing to do, as a human being."
Jay-Z recently revealed that he was "absolutely" going to ask Obama to play the festival he is staging later this year. The festival named 'Budweiser Made In America' will be taking place in Philadelphia#s Fairmount Park in September 1 and 2.
So far Jay-Z is the only act confirmed to appear at the event so far but the festival's organisers have promised that the bill will feature "rock, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and dance" acts. Jay-Z also said to Rolling Stone Magazine that he thinks his wife Beyonce should have a "little gap in her schedule" in order to perform at the event.
Kanye West and Jay-Z start their 'Watch The Throne' UK tour on Friday, starting at London's O2 Arena.
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