Rapper Jay-Z says pop star wife Beyonce 'not pregnant'

Tim Westwood's full interview with Jay Z on Monday 17.30 ( GMT)

Jay-Z says rumours that his wife Beyonce is pregnant are untrue.

In an interview with Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ Tim Westwood, the rap star said he'd heard the same story four times before.

"I have five kids, if you let them tell it, so it's the fifth time," he said. "When that happens I'll let everyone know. I definitely would not let the papers know before anybody else.

"Every slow news day they throw in that rumour and I guess it generates a lot of interest and it sells newspapers."

Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles were married in April 2008 after six years together.

There have been repeated rumours throughout their relationship that the former Destiny's Child singer is pregnant.

But the rapper insists the papers won't break the story, when and if the couple have a child.

He said: "I definitely would not let the papers know before anybody else. Imagine that.

"Imagine US Weekly cracking the story. Imagine that happening. I'm telling you, 'No. It's not true' first of all. But imagine that.

"I couldn't even fathom that. But this is the fifth time they've done this. I wonder when the people are going to say, 'OK. We've done this four times already'."

New album

The rapper, who had his first UK number one with Kanye West and Rihanna collaboration Run This Town, also dismissed rumours that he was a member of a secret organisation called the Illuminati.

He said: "I think that when people have a certain amount of success, it needs to be explained in a way other than hard work and talent and being blessed.

Jay-Z and Beyonce were married in April 2008 after six years together

"We've been seeing this since the beginning of time with the Beatles or anybody else who's not dissimilar. That's how you know you're really getting big.

"I was like, 'Man, I'm like rock star big? I get these kind of rumours?' I think it's really silly but everyone needs something to talk about."

Jay-Z's bringing out his latest greatest hits album, The Hits Collection Vol. 1, on 22 November and is plugging his autobiography Decoded, which is released later this month as well.

The 38-year-old also revealed that he loved Florence and the Machine, is still working on his album with Kanye West and will start working on new solo material in 2011.

"I'm going to finish the Watch The Throne album (with Kanye West)," he revealed. "I go to Australia at the end of November. We're doing about 12 stadium dates with U2.

"Then I'm going to relax for the rest of the year, finish the Watch The Throne album and see what happens next year. I'll probably start on a new album."

Listen to the full interview with Jay-Z on BBC Radio 1Xtra at 1730 (GMT).