Tim Westwood: 'This is a golden era for young people'

Tim Westwood has said that young people can consider the current music scene a "golden era".

Speaking ahead of next week's four-date 1Xtra Live tour, the DJ said that being in the clubs every night means that he can see the impact of new music.

"If you're a young person growing up now, this is your golden era," Westwood told Digital Spy.

"Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne - these are artists that mean as much to them as Public Enemy or Rakim or LL Cool J meant to you.

"I think the music coming out now is incredibly creative, and incredibly inspiring and emotional. There's as much energy and excitement as ever."

Of the older generation's harking back to a previous age, he added: "When you're growing up, you're young to the game and your life is relatively simple in the sense that you can pursue your passions.

"There's nothing in the way like careers and money issues and families and the stresses of life and disappointments in life."

Westwood continued: "Hip-hop is built for the young audience, so people might not be able to relate to what's happening, but it is still very powerful music.

"I'm in the clubs virtually every night of the week working it down, and I can see the power of the music and what it means to young people. So I'm with it, so it's simple for me. I just play what's hot."

As well as the live shows at Manchester Apollo, Birmingham Academy, Bristol Academy and London Brixton Academy, Westwood will bring his 1Xtra show to a local university in each city.

Stars including J. Cole and Big Sean will drop in on the live radio broadcasts, which air from 4pm to 7pm from Monday, November 28 to Thursday, December 1.

Watch JLS droppin' the bomb on Westwood below: