China nixes Jay-Z concert over 'vulgar language'

China won't be a stop during Jay-Z's globe-trotting comeback tour, as the country's Ministry of Culture has nixed a concert scheduled for later this month.

State-run newspaper Shanghai Daily reported Wednesday that the rapper's Oct. 23 concert at the city's Hongkou soccer stadium has been cancelled because of concern over his lyrics.

The concert didn't receive approval because "some of Jay-Z's songs contain too much vulgar language," Sun Yun, an employee from concert promoter KS Production Co., told the Daily.

The concert was to have been the hit rapper's debut performance in China.

Calls to the Chinese ministry were unanswered and a notice posted Wednesday on an online ticket booking website said the concert had been postponed.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, said three years ago he was retiring from his career as a rapper a notion many doubted would last.

Recently, he announced he would return and is set to release a new album, entitled Kingdom Come, on Nov. 21.

China has only cracked open its doors to foreign performers in recent years, but remains strict about some lyrics and content.

For instance, rock legends the Rolling Stones played their first-ever concert in mainland China in April. Censors banned them from playing five songs including concert standards Honky Tonk Women, Let's Spend the Night Together and Brown Sugar because they were deemed too risqu for Chinese ears.

However, critics of the ministry have pointed out its inconsistency in allowing foreign acts to perform.

For instance, hip hop-influenced pop group the Black Eyed Peas gave concerts in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai in July. The group's credits include sexually suggestive songs like My Humps.