Jay-Z has urged the media to back off his pal Kanye West following his notorious outburst at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, insisting the backlash isn't justified because "he didn't kill anybody".

West has come under savage attack from stars and fans alike for storming the stage during Taylor Swift's Best Female Video acceptance speech last Sunday to proclaim the prize belonged to Jay-Z's wife Beyonce.

The Stronger hitmaker has since apologized both personally and publicly to the teenage country singer - but Jay-Z is stunned by how much media coverage and controversy his pal's behavior has garnered.

The rap superstar admits it was "rude" of West and "inappropriate at the time" to rush the stage, but can understand why he was moved to do what he did.

Jay-Z says, "Of course it was rude because it was her moment, but that's the way he really felt. I think it was rude, but the way they're treating him.

"He's on the cover of every paper. He didn't kill anybody. No one got harmed. (He's) a super passionate person."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)