Jay-Z Brands Producer Timbaland 'Premature'

Rapper Jay-Z is keen to pit music heavyweights Timbaland and Kanye West against each other - by claiming he will only choose the best of their offered tracks.

Reports suggested hitmaker Timbaland was set to produce every track for the 99 Problems star's forthcoming album.

But Jay-Z has distanced himself from the superproducer's claims, insisting Timbaland's producing plans were "premature".

And if that wasn't enough of a blow to the Elevator star, Jay-Z has namechecked Kanye West as a possible producer for the Lp - depending on whether the singer/rapper can come up with the goods.

Jay-Z tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I'm a person that works off music."

"If Timbaland makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album, if Kanye West makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album; if he makes three, I'll take three. I let the music dictate the direction."