Jay-Z says being poor motivated him to succeed.

The rapper - who is married to former Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles - revealed his rise to stardom stems from a desire to escape from his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.

He said: "Being broke is a great motivator. Home was like the cliche of rough. When I was nine I saw someone shot for the first time."

Jay-Z, also revealed his taste in music, saying his favorite bands include British group Coldplay - whose new album 'Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends' recently topped the US album charts.

Jay-Z said: "My favorite music is heartfelt music, I don't believe in the separation of music. I listen to Coldplay, 50 Cent and Kanye West."

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has been a close friend of the rapper for many years and attended his recent New York wedding along with his wife Gwyneth Paltrow.

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