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."
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