Paul McCartney Is Down With Hip-Hop

February 24, 2011 3:24 PM

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sir paul Paul McCartney Is Down With Hip Hop

BBC is making a documentary titled “The Beatles And Black Music” and, as a part of the movie, Sir Paul McCartney was asked about a hip-hop remake titled “The Grey Album”, which is [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Beatles[/lastfm] “White Album” and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jay-Z[/lastfm]‘s “Black Album” fused together.

[photogallerylink id=28981 align=right] “It was really cool when hip-hop started, you would hear references in lyrics, you always felt honored. It’s exactly what we did in the beginning – introducing black soul music to a mass white audience. It’s come full circle. It’s, well, cool. When you hear a riff similar to your own, your first feeling is ‘rip-off.’ After you’ve got over it you think, “Look at that, someone’s noticed that riff.’”

McCartney, unlike most artists, welcomes the thought of being imitated because as the cliche’ goes, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”

His record company, EMI, held a different view. McCartney on their reaction, “I didn’t mind when something like that happened with The Grey Album. But the record company minded. They put up a fuss. But it was like, ‘Take it easy guys, it’s a tribute.’”