Pic: Matt J Carbone

Award winning rapper Jay-Z will perform before 100,000 people this summer at Hackney Marshes in a celebration for the Olympic Games.

The artist otherwise known as Shawn Carter was confirmed as the headline act for Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend by station DJ Chris Moyles this morning.

The Roc Nation record label founder, Grammy winner and new father will join Tinie Tempah, Jessie J and Florence and the Machine in the line-up.

Jason Carter, event director for the Hackney Weekend, said: “Our goal was to deliver the most ambitious and exciting event in Radio 1’s history and with the artists already announced I think we’ve achieved that. But to now add the world’s biggest hip hop icon, Jay Z, to the line-up, is fantastic news.”

Other acts set to perform in this year’s Big Weekend include Black Eyed Peas vocalist Will.i.am, electronic dance trio Swedish House Mafia and French DJ David Guetta.

Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe said: “The Hackney Weekend is shaping up to be the outdoor music event of the year and with Jay Z now confirmed, demand for tickets will be even greater.

“We have secured half of the tickets for Hackney residents and there’s still time to register to be part of the borough’s biggest ever event.”

Registration for tickets continues here until 11pm on March 19, and applicants must provide a photo.