Jay-Z: 'DMX inspired my stage performances'

Jay-Z has revealed that DMX inspired him to perfect his performances on stage.

The hip-hop mogul has claimed that his fellow rapper helped him bring out the best in him on tour and also admitted that non-rap acts influenced his stage productions.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the 40-year-old said: "In hip-hop, there's not many great performers. I look outside the genre, measuring myself against others. I look at Madonna's production and envy that. Daft Punk's set.

"My early years? Forget it. I was a horrible performer. DMX tore me to pieces. I remember being stunned. [DMX] had me really working. But I had to figure this out. If you want to be a headliner, you better put on a headline show."