Pitchfork

Well, so much for that. After a few months standing by his decision to name his forthcoming album Nigger, Nas has relented and dropped the controversial title, according to a statement quoted in an MTV.com report. The rapper will instead keep his forthcoming Hip Hop Is Dead follow-up untitled. We'd like to think he took a cue from Tilly and the Wall there.

As the brainy MC said in his statement, "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."

The new one from Nas, sans title, arrives July 1 on Def Jam. Catch Nas up in Canada this month and Rocking the Bells come summertime.

Nas:

05-20 Calgary, Alberta - Whiskey Night Club
05-21 Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Events Centre
05-22 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Odeon Events Centre
05-23 Vancouver, British Columbia - Plush Nightclub
05-24 Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
07-19 Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre *
07-20 Toronto, Ontario - Arrow Hall *
07-26 Boston, MA - Tweeter Center *
07-27 Washington, DC - Merriweather Post Pavilion *
08-02 Miami, FL - Bayfront Park Amphitheatre *
08-03 New York, NY - Jones Beach Theatre *
08-09 San Bernardino, CA - Glen Helen Pavilion *
08-16 San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre *
08-23 Denver, CO - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre *

* Rock the Bells tour