May 20, 2008 11:59

Nas drops 'Nigger' album title

Controversial release will now be untitled

Nas has dropped his new album's controversial title 'Nigger', and will release it as an untitled album instead.

The rapper has received substantial criticism since he announced the title of the record last year, which was originally due to be spelt 'Nigga'.

After rumours that some stores may not stock the LP, Nas explained in a statement that he changed the title so that as many people as possible could hear the record.

He said in a statement: "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans. It's been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it.

"Everybody is trying to stop the title. It's just people being scared of what's real. Somebody is trying to open up dialogue for people to talk. People that's high up [who aren't] really understanding what I'm doing, are scared.

"They're scared for reasons I understand, but the fans gotta know either way: this is the same album. The content is the same, the direction is the same, the message is gonna be everything I intended it to be musically."

The album is set to be released in the UK on June 30.