Sir Elton John is urging music fans not to "ridicule" rappers, insisting stars such as Kanye West and Eminem are "a phenomenon".

The Rocket Man, who collaborated with West for a track on the hip-hop star's latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, is passionate about all kinds of music and he's urging non-rap fans to get acquainted with the genre.

The 63 year old tells TeenMusic.com, "I never dismiss any form of music. I listen to everything. I'm on the new Kanye West record, for example. It's a genius record. I was on the Alice in Chains record...People who mock rap, and say, 'I don't like it,' they should go check out Kanye in the studio rapping. Or Eminem when he's in the studio. It's a phenomenon. Don't knock it until you've seen it. It may not be your cup of tea (to your taste), but don't ridicule. I find that so many of my peers of my age don't listen to anything new. I love the new." (LR/WNWCAH/MT)

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