Jay-Z: Beyonce is 'the second coming' of Michael Jackson: Rapper says he knows it's 'blasphemy' to compare the two, but says she's inspiring

Julio Cortez / AP file: Rapper Jay-Z gushed about wife Beyonce during an interview.

After three years of marriage, Jay-Z and wife Beyonce have remained famously tight-lipped about one another.

But the 41-year-old rapper (real name: Shawn Carter) couldn't help but gush about his wife's talents as a performer while promoting "Watch the Throne," his smash, acclaimed new album with Kanye West.

PHOTOS: Beyonce and Jay-Z's sexy romance

MTV's Rap Fix reports that Jay-Z even compared Beyonce, 29, to the Gloved One himself, Michael Jackson, who died in June 2009 at age 50...

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"What I've learned from her is similar to what I learned from Mike [Jackson] — and I know that's blasphemy to compare the two because Mike was such an innovator — but I think she's like the second coming," Jay-Z said during a phone call to Miami, Florida, radio station 99 Jamz.

PHOTOS: Michael Jackson's most unforgettable moments

"You know, the hard work and dedication that she puts into her shows. It just makes you want to work harder at your own craft. She's like a machine," he raved of his wife, currently promoting her own album,"4," with intimate shows scheduled this week at NYC's Roseland.

PHOTOS: Beyonce's sexy bikini body

Meanwhile, the rapper lived very, very large on Sunday night celebrating his latest release at LIV Miami on Sunday — treating guests at the club to a reported $250,000 worth of Armand de Brignac Champagne.

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Just who is the queen of pop?

 AP file

Who do you love? Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift dominate most of the categories related to pop stardom.

 

By Courtney Hazlett

The question of who the "queen of pop" may be is typically a question of momentary dominance. Want to make a decision based on album sales? Then Taylor Swift might be your queen. Does capturing attention by donning a meat dress do something for you? Then Gaga's probably your girl.

That sort of logic might make some sense while in the moment, but it's far from a comprehensive approach. Recognizing this, Rolling Stone has taken an under-the-microscope tactic and actually crunched numbers for 16 solo female artists.

The mag ranked brick-and-mortar sales and digital tracks, YouTube play and airplay, social networking as well as awards -- among many other elements -- to find out just who is the queen of pop.

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