Nas has decided against using the title Nigger for his new album, instead simply calling it Untitled. He finally conceded this week that he was going to have to change the long player's name or, more to the point, just not name it at all.
The news follows reports earlier in the year that Nas' label, Universal's Island Def Jam, had insisted he choose a different name, mainly out of fears that high street retailers would refuse to stock an album called Nigger, especially give the renewed vigour with which the US civil rights movement have been calling for an end to racist and sexist language in hip hop in the last year.
In a statement on the matter the rapper told reporters: "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. It's that important. 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".
Oh well, guess it's kind of like The Beatles' The Beatles actually being referred to as The White Album.
The album hits US record stores on 1st July.