It was announced yesterday that Nas has decided to once again change the title of his forthcoming album, this time from Nigger to untitled.
"It's important to me that this album gets to the fans," according to Nas. "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."
Judging by this quote, it seems as if Nas reached the "decision" reluctantly. In fact, given reports that Universal risked losing $84 million if it released the album as Nigger (TMT News), it's not a stretch to assume there were plenty other ideological forces causing Nas to make the "right decision." With the release date continually delayed (it's now slated for release July 1 via Def Jam) coupled with Nas' quote above, it sounds like the album was held captive.
The album was originally titled Nigga, but was changed to Nigger due to pressure (TMT News). Despite widespread support from the music community and intellectual justification from Nas -- he didn't title one of the upcoming songs "The Fear (of the Black Man's Dick)" for shits and giggles, you know -- the word still upset talking heads like Rev. Al Sharpton and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D–Fort Greene), who are apparently under the belief that words are static and dead, as if the word "nigger" isn't already widespread in rap lyrics, as if trying to eliminate the word would do anything but deny artistic and political expression. I guess self-censorship is the alternative?
