Jay-Z has said Kanye West's outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards was “inappropriate at the time”.

West has faced criticism from musicians and President Barack Obama for grabbing the microphone from Swift during her acceptance speech.

The rapper was upset that Swift had won the prize for Best Female Video over Jay-Z's wife Beyonce.

Speaking on Radio 1, Jay-Z acknowledged that West's reaction was “rude” but said it wasn't worthy of such a public backlash.

"He's just a super-passionate person. Of course it was rude because it was her moment but that's the way he really felt,” Jay-Z said.

"It's really an awards show and I think it's a bit of a blow out, but of course it was rude.

"I think it was rude but the way they're treating him... He's on the cover of every paper. He didn't kill anybody. No one got harmed."

Jay-Z performed live on Radio 1 this morning as part of DJ Jo Whiley's Live Lounge tour.

The rapper wowed fans at Camden Roundhouse in London last night (September 17) and is due to support Coldplay at Wembley Stadium tonigh and tomorrow.

(by Jason Gregory)