In his autobiography, rapper Jay-Z reveals his unlikely friendship with U2's Bono and tells the story of how he "inspired" the rocker from Ballymun, according to the Independent.

In his book 'Decoded,' Jay-Z writes that he was asked by a journalist about the upcoming U2 album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

"I said something about the kind of pressure a group like that must be under just to meet their own standard," he said.

"Bono (later) told me that my quote had really gotten to him. In fact, he said it got him a little anxious.

"He decided to go back to the studio, even though the album was already done, and keep reworking it 'til he thought it was as good as it could possibly be.

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"I really wasn't trying to make him nervous with that quote -- and I was surprised to find out that at this point in his career he still got anxious about his work.

"What I thought I was doing was expressing sympathy. Here he is, Bono, star, master musician, world diplomat, philanthropist, all of that."

The two musicians became friends several years ago after spending a night together with legendary producer Quincy Jones in the cigar room of a bar in London.

"I'd spent most of the night quizzing Quincy about 'Thriller,' the greatest album ever made," Jay-Z writes in his book.

"Bono was beaming and laughing the whole time. I liked him right away. I knew who he was, of course, as a musician and philanthropist and human rights activist.

"I knew U2's hits like everyone else on the planet, but I was completely unprepared for what a genuine, humble and open person he is.

"Bono's got such a pure soul and positive energy -- his eyes almost literally light up and dance when he's excited. He's one of those people who always seem hungry -- for new information and experiences, and then impatiently generous to share the things he's consumed."

Jay-Z added: "We ended up trading stories about the pressure we felt, even at this point in our lives."

The friendship with Jay-Z and Bono has lasted and resulted in them working together.

"Years later, we became investors in a restaurant in New York, the Spotted Pig in Greenwich Village."

Last year, Bono and Jay-Z collaborated on the song 'Stranded' to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake.