Nas Drops the N-Word on Fans

Rappers drop the N-word frequently in hip-hop, but none have gone as far as Nas and used the perjorative term as the title of an album. Nas announced plans to name his upcoming album 'Nigga' on Friday night at New York's Roseland Ballroom.

The album's controversial title could pose a challenge to media outlets and retailers, but the Queens-based emcee has never strayed from scandal.

Nas' 2006 release, 'Hip-hop Is Dead,' criticized the entire genre and ruffled feathers. Critics and hip-hop elite alike assumed the rap star was directing his angst toward Southern hip-hop, which has been accused of lowering the standards of rap with the lack of solid lyrical content. This will be the emcee's ninth studio album and is slated for a December release.