Annie Lennox has slammed Beyonce Knowles for describing herself as a ''feminist''.

The Eurythmics frotnwoman hit out at the 33-year-old singer for proclaiming herself a ''feminist'' during her set at the MTV Video Music Awards last month, and claims many female artists like the brunette star only call themselves feminists to promote their careers.

Speaking about Beyonce, Annie said: ''I would call that 'feminist lite'. L-I-T-E. I'm sorry. It's tokenistic to me. I mean, I think she's a phenomenal artist - I just love her performances - but I'd like to sit down [with her]. I think I'd like to sit down with quite a few artists and talk to them. I'd like to listen to them; I'd like to hear what they truly think.

''I see a lot of it as them taking the word 'hostage' and using it to promote themselves, but I don't think they necessarily represent wholeheartedly the depths of feminism - no, I don't.''

The 59-year-old singer also hit out at stars such as Beyonce for being scantily clad on stage and in music videos in order to sell their songs.

Speaking to website PrideSource, she added: ''I think for many it's very convenient and it looks great and it looks radical, but I have some issues with it. I have issues with it. Of course I do. I think it's a cheap shot. I think what they do with it is cheap and ... yeah.

''What can I tell you? Sex always sells. And there's nothing wrong with sex selling, but it depends on your audience. If they're seven-year-old kids, I have issues with it.''