Elton John wants
to become hip-hop artist

After 40 years of performing rock music, pop ballads, and movie soundtracks, Elton John is looking to cross over to yet another musical genre--hip-hop.

"I want to bring my songs and melodies to hip-hop beats--a bit like 'No Diggity' by Blackstreet," John said in excerpts of an interview posted on Rolling Stone's Web site Friday.

John told the music magazine he would like to work with producer Dr. Dre and a variety of artists, although he had yet to contact them.

"I want to work with Pharrell [Williams], Timbaland, Snoop [Dogg], Kanye [West], Eminem, and just see what happens. It may be a disaster, it could be fantastic, but you don't know until you try," he said.

John is one of rock and roll's most prolific singer-songwriters and is known for flamboyant costumes and spectacular piano playing. His hits include "Your Song," "Rocket Man," and "Candle in the Wind."

The 59-year-old musician's next album, The Captain and the Kid, will be released on September 12.

But hip-hop?

Actually, John performed the song "Stan" with Eminem on 2001's telecast of the Grammys, the music industry's top awards, and the pair brought the house down. (Reuters)