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Controversial hip-hop star Jay-Z - slammed by critics including Oasis' Noel Gallagher as the wrong act to headline this year's Glastonbury Festival - has announced a UK Arena Tour, which plays Bournemouth International Centre on July 15.

The Bournemouth gig comes hot on the heels of his appearance at the 02 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park.

Despite the row over Glastonbury, which has found Jay-Z's headlining booking being blamed for poor ticket sales, the multi-award-winner looks certain to sell out at the BIC.

He is currently well into a stunningly high profile career which, apart from seeing him sell more than 36 million records, has involved success as a record company boss and the name behind sports, beauty advertising and clothes products.

Special guests on the tour have still to be announced but Jay-Z is clearly looking forward to returning to these shores, saying: "There's an amazing vibe and energy in the UK.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my UK fans again."

Part of that energy went into the attack on Glastonbury for choosing Jay-Z as their main act for 2008.

But earlier this week festival organiser Emily Eavis dismissed the claims as "hysterical" saying that Jay-Z was absolutely right for the event.

7:00pm Friday 18th April 2008

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