The rumblings about American hip-hop star Jay-Z's headline turn at this year's Glastonbury festival just got louder. Slow ticket sales have been blamed on Hova's appearance at the traditionally indie-heavy event; now Noel Gallagher has told the BBC Jay-Z is "wrong" for Glastonbury: "I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music."

Festival organisers Emily and Michael Eavis must have expected to raise a few hackles, although perhaps not to this degree. Glastonbury is, after all, the mothership of music festivals, the Grand Poohba of outdoor events; its lineup never goes unremarked. But what seems to have come as a shock to them is what Emily Eavis has described as "an interesting undercurrent" to some of the blogs and public statements objecting to Jay-Z's booking. "I'm not sure what to call it," she says, "at least not in public, but this is something that causes me some disquiet."

If Eavis is reluctant to give it a name, I am in little doubt that there is a new form of musical censorship from the audience at play here, one which flirts with class snobbery and racism. On hearing the news that Jay-Z would be headlining the event, Glastonbury regulars probably turned to their fellow indie lovers and asked who on earth was this Jay-Zed character, anyway.

It's disappointing, because music fans - and festivalgoers in particular - usually go out of their way to try to outdo one another in the obscure music-taste stakes. Variety is what makes Glastonbury so special. When you allow different kinds of music to co-exist, you get a Radiohead fan turning up for one thing and being seduced by a Fatboy Slim set.

What does the brains behind a great band like Oasis really mean when he says Glastonbury is for "guitar music"? Is Gallagher dismissing all the non-guitar acts that have lit up the Glastonbury stage over the years - the Prodigy in 1995, Orbital in 1994 - or is he trying to tell us something else? Sling yer hook, Jay-Z: this event is not for you.

As a black woman, I have always looked at the sheer whiteness of an event like Glastonbury and wondered what the attraction was. Sure, I enjoy a few bars of Coldplay, but would I risk a mudslide to see Chris Martin and co? I think not. I was almost tempted to go last year when the amazing Marley brothers were added to the bill, but this year is the closest I have ever come to picking up my tent and following the middle-class herd. Finally, Glastonbury is planning to showcase music I know the words to. This summer, I could be shouting the lyrics to Dirt Off Your Shoulder and 99 Problems as the sun started to set, with my brolly in one hand and a beer in the other.

Now, I won't even bother. One glance at the NME's website tells me all I need to know about just how inclusive Glastonbury still isn't.

Alexchil writes: "Glastonbury is contaminated. This is a rock/pop festival." And while there are are some level-headed fans willing to give Jay-Z a chance, the overwhelming majority of bloggers would agree with MAD_FER_IT, who writes, "without doubt the worst possible news. They needed a huge band to headline, not some hip-hop wank." Quite.

Jay-Z's abilities as a performer are extraordinary. This is an artist who can create a complete song without a pen or pad in sight. He can get any party started, and ultimately, isn't that what Glastonbury-goers want? But if hip-hop, the music that has been the soundtrack for my life, is not welcome, then I don't feel welcome either.

There has never been any public outcry about black, non-guitar acts performing at Glastonbury (Dizzee Rascal, Al Green, Jimmy Cliff), just so long as they stay at the bottom of the bill. Know thy place. Move up to headline status and things suddenly take a different turn. Do well, but not too well; that will most definitely be held against you.

I would have understood the protest if Michael Eavis had booked a below-par rapper for a prime slot. Believe me, I would no more want to sleep in a tent to hear Chamillionaire perform than you - but Jay-Z is a legend. This year's festival is lucky to have him, and if a few narrow-minded individuals purporting to be Glastonbury fans disagree, speak with me after Jay-Z leaves the stage. I promise you'll be converted. If you're still not convinced, I'm sure Coldplay will be back next time around.

http://music.guardian.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury2008/story/0,,2273855,00.html