Jay-Z to help Cheryl Cole crack America

The rapper-and-businessman – who owns music management company Roc Nation and is co-owner of Roc-A-Fella Records - has offered to assist the 'Fight for This Love' singer launch her solo career overseas after seeing how successful she has become in Britain.

He said: "I keep a close eye on the music industry throughout the world and I know how hot Cheryl is in the UK.

"The US marker is the toughest one to break into, but once you do it is by far the most lucrative. I think Cheryl has that talent to do it. There is nobody in the US like her right now and I would be very interested in helping her break the US market this year."

The 40-year-old musician was first tipped off about the 26-year-old Girls Aloud singer – who worked with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am on her album '3 Words' - after his pop star wife Beyonce Knowles watched her sing live.

He explained: "Beyonce has seen her perform and she told me how impressed she was. I checked her out and I was impressed as well."