Jay-Z Craves For Judging Role In The X Factor  Jay-Z |
Rap superstar Jay-Z has begged Simon Cowell to let him sit on the judging panel during the next series of his British reality show The X Factor.
The singing contest, which featured a performance from the star's wife Beyonce in 2008, launched the career of Leona Lewis - and the 99 Problems hitmaker is keen to get involved.
He tells a newpaper, "Simon, if you need any help for the next series, let me know man and I'm your judge. There is a lot of untapped hip-hop talent in the U.K. and if they want my help finding some for the final 12 I am sure I could assist."
And Jay-Z has his eye on launching current judge and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole's career in the U.S.
He adds, "I keep a close eye on the music industry throughout the world and I know how hot Cheryl is in the U.K. The U.S. market is the toughest one to break into, but once you do it is by far the most lucrative. I think Cheryl has that talent to do it.
"There is nobody in the U.S. like her right now, and I would be very interested in helping her break the U.S. market this year. Bey has seen her perform and she told me how impressed she was. I checked her out and I was impressed as well."
