Sharpton Praises Nas For Dropping Controversial Album Title.

3 months ago 22nd May 06:52

Latest: Rapper Nas' decision not to call his new album N**Ger has been praised by civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

The 34-year-old New York native wanted to use the title to make a political statement about the hypocrisy in hip-hop.

But criticism from Def Jam record executives and fear of a decline in sales persuaded him to pull the title on Monday (19May08), just six weeks before the album hits stores on 1 July (08).

And Sharpton is calling the rapper's decision a "partial victory" for racial-equality activists.

He says, "The record companies have to consider the downside of using it, business-wise. That would not have happened if we hadn't protested.

"I have a lot of respect for Nas. I liked what he said about (police shooting victim) Sean Bell. We have a fundamental disagreement on this. He can rap against me. I'll preach against them. We're still friends".

But Nas insists the album's original title will still resonate with his fans.

He says, "The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it".

In seperate news the civil rights activist has blasted allegations he demanded money from hip-hop producer DR. Dre to end a disagreement between rival rappers 50 Cent and The Game.

Bruce Williams, a confidant of the superproducer and author of a recently-released book about him, claims Sharpton issued an ultimatum to Dre to end the long-running feud between the two stars in early 2005, shortly after The Game had been axed from 50 Cent's G-Unit crew.

Sharpton is alleged to have challenged the Forgot About Dre hitmaker to settle the pair's discrepancies and pay up $500,000 (£250,000), or he would lead a National Action Network (Nan) march and call for fans to boycott the stars' music.

But Sharpton and representatives for his Nan organisation have staunchly denied the claims.

In a statement issued to AllHipHop.com, they say: "The National Action Network and Reverend Al Sharpton were not involved with and did not attend a press conference held by Hip-Hop artists The Game and 50 Cent to announce their truce and donation to charities.

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