Record label backs Nas album title choice

In a news piece that is gaining more and more momentum, Rolling Stone issued an article on Friday featuring an interview with hip hop artist Nas about his new album and Universal Music Group's decision to back his choice for title. Meanwhile, New York area legislators are demanding the State Comptroller withdraw a pension fund from UMG unless the title is changed, arguing that UMG and Nas are "profiting from a racial slur that has been used to dehumanize people of color for centuries."

Nas can certainly feel confident with his title choice, as the record label has backed him and offered no comment for the piece. According to the rapper, the controversy surrounding the album "is like talking to your children about sex. It's hard, but it's important." Despite the difficulties that may raise among whoever talks about the album, as Nas also states it is "just an album." Listeners and fans will decide to buy the album presumably on their like or dislike of Nas's past work and if reviews are positive for this album.

Of course, listeners may be enticed to purchase the album strictly for the title, or they may be turned away. No matter the controversy surrounding the decision, or the decision itself, in the end it appears like any other marketing stunt. Universal Music certainly has nothing to lose in the venture; the company's share in the music industry is around 30% and they have a wide lead over the next competitor, Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG), at 25%. In any case, in a month we can see if the controversy amounts to anything and what kind of reception the album will have.