US rapper Kanye West has said he is pleased that his new album has generated a mixed response with critics.

'808s and Heartbreak', has been seen as a radical departure from the rapper's hip-hop routes, with many critics voicing scepticism at his decision to sing.

The album also failed to break into the top-10 on the UK album charts last weekend, entering at number eleven, West's lowest entry since 2004's 'The College Dropout'.

Writing on his blog, West wrote: “PEOPLE REALLY HAVE THERE FEATHERS RUFFLED ABOUT THIS ALBUM DON'T THEY?........................................................ GOOD!”

The rapper also denied reports which claimed he had said hip-hop was over, insisting that he still listens to the music genre at home.

He added: “YO BOTTOM LINE IS I WORK. I WORK TO DEATH AND PEOPLE TRY TO FIND NEGATIVITY IN THE POSITIVE ENERGY I PUT OUT. THE ALMOST SUPERHUMAN AMOUNT OF WORK I PUT OUT.”

(by Jason Gregory)