Watermelon sculpture? Jay-Z's Beyonce 'tribute'

Jul 14, 2008, 10:31 GMT

US rap artist Jay-Z performs in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 02 July 2008. Watermelon Sculpture-are you kidding? EPA/ROBERT VOS

Jay-Z demanded a watermelon carved in the shape of wife Beyonce Knowles' bust during his stay in Africa.

The rapper wanted the bizarre sculpture to be displayed in his £2,500-a-night hotel room where he was staying ahead of his performance at the THISDAY Festival in Nigeria on Friday (11.07.08).

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "One giant watermelon was split in two and ornately carved into a mould of Beyonce's breasts. Two cherries were used as nipples."

The rapper - who controversially headlined Glastonbury earlier this summer, despite claims from Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher that hip-hip wasn't right for the festival - performed a duet with Rihanna at the concert, dubbed Africa Rising.

The pair performed the Barbadian beauty's number one hit 'Umbrella' before Jay-Z went solo for a rendition of his duet with Beyonce, 'Crazy in Love'.

The concert - which aims to find sustainable solutions to the economic and political problems facing the continent - also featured performances from Mary J. Blige, Usher and a speech from model Naomi Campbell.