Jay-Z hits back at Cuba criticism

Jay-Z has addressed his controversial trip to Cuba in a scathing new song.

The rapper and his wife Beyonce were heavily criticised by politicians following their visit to the South American country - which is banned as a tourist destination by the US government - for their fifth wedding anniversary earlier this month, but the star has hit back, claiming that he received 'White House clearance' for the trip to capital city Havana.

In new track uploaded to his Life + Times blog titled 'Open Letter', Jay boasts that he 'done turned Havana into Atlanta', adding: 'Politicians never did s**t for me, except lie to me, distort history.'

The rapper - real name Shawn Carter - used the scathing track to respond to Republican politicians, who called for an investigation into the legality of the couple's visit. US citizens are banned from visiting the neighbouring island under a travel embargo, and residents must seek a licence before visiting the country, although these are usually reserved for journalistic or educational reasons.

The US Treasury has since confirmed that they approved the trip, which was set up by an organisation who promote educational programmes in Cuba.

Jay defiantly raps in the song: 'They wanna give me jail time and a fine. Fine, let me commit a real crime.'

The lyrics also brag of the musician's political connections to United States president Barack Obama, adding: 'Obama said, 'Chill you're going to get me impeached' / You don't need this s**t anyway, chill with me on the beach.'

America first imposed its Cuban travel embargo in the 1960s and by law, citizens are prohibited from spending money in the country in order to not fund the communist government.