Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has hit back at members of the hip hop community, insisting she loves their music. Rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent have openly condemned Winfrey in the past few weeks for what they believe is her bias against hip-hop.

She explains, "I listen to some hip-hop. I've been accused of not liking hip-hop and that's just not true. I got a little 50 (Cent) in my iPod. I really do. I like In Da Club. Have you heard the beat to In Da Club? Love that, love Jay-Z, love Kanye, love Mary J. Mary J. is one of my friends."

The backlash began last year after rapper Ludacris, real name Chris Bridges, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote his film Crash but was instead interrogated by the host about his raunchy lyrics. Winfrey claims she talked to the rapper after the show to explain her line of questioning, according to AllHipHop.com.

She says, "I said to Ludacris, 'A lot of people who listen to your music aren't as smart as you are. So they take some of that stuff literally when you are just writing it for entertainment purposes.'"

The TV star claims rappers need to be responsible for the messages they put out when they wield so much influence. She adds, "Hip-hop is like jazz and gospel music, evolved from the people, a form of protest, a form of expression, so you can't deny that, nor would I try. But I do believe there needs to be awareness of who we are, how we got here and what that means about staying here."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)