July 29, 2008 16:51

Nas branded a 'vile rapper' by Fox News' Bill O'Reilly

Anchor responds over hip-hop star's allegations of racism

Nas has been branded a "vile rapper" by Fox News' Bill O'Reilly in response to allegations of racism the hip-hop star has directed at the US TV network.

The rapper, who released his latest 'Untitled' album on July 14, recently joined a protest against Fox News' portrayal of black Americans, especially with regards to their comments on Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

O'Reilly described Nas as a "vile rapper, peddling the N-word and violent lyrics to his target audience of children and young adults. He is a real champ".

The broadcaster went on to state that the star is speaking out about Fox to promote 'Untitled' as "he desperately wants attention", describing the album as "a [commercial] bomb, a disaster, a catastrophe".

Among the incidents cited by Fox's detractors are an on-screen graphic that referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama," a fist bump between Barack and Michelle Obama that was described as a "terrorist fist jab" by an anchor, and O'Reilly's mention of a "lynching party" when referring to Michelle Obama.

Watch Bill O'Reilly's comments on Nas below.