Nas sparked controversy when he announced that his ninth album, out July 15th, would be called Nigger. Al Sharpton and the NAACP condemned him, while retailers promised not to stock the CD. But the 34-year-old rapper — whose last album was called Hip-Hop Is Dead — managed to stay focused and created one of his best albums. "Throughout the distractions, I would just remember the reason why I'm doing this album," says the MC, who ended up releasing the record without any title. "'I'm a black man. Let me say what's on my mind.'"

What did you expect would happen when you initially titled the album "Nigger"?
I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know if there would be rallies in front of the record company. I was like, "Man, I'm on my own mission." It's about me and how I feel about "nigger." Period.

How do you feel about that word?
"Nigger" is from the African-American holocaust — and you can't play around with that. It's probably going to make people uncomfortable. It's definitely no disrespect to my people, or to the people who fought for my rights in this country, and died for us.

What do you say when someone like Al Sharpton says that when rappers use the n word themselves, it reinforces negative stereotypes?
It's just proof of people's ignorance. Change comes through art. It's like Adam Sandler's Zohan, right? His movie has an incredible message. He gave me a better understanding of his people and of the Palestinians and all that bullshit going on — by making fun of it. And nobody protested him, because they understand the brilliance. With hip-hop, it's a lot more threatening. I'm not even gonna act like I can save all black people, all white people, all poor people, with an album — I'm not supernigga. But if I can contribute to helpin' one person out through my experiences, then that's everything to me.

On "Black President," you sample an Obama speech. You think he'll win?
Everyone around me knows he'll be the president. Bush made everyone feel like niggers. When 9/11 happened, everyone felt like they been duped. I think people know that Barack is honest. I don't think about McCain, because he's a part of the old world, the dead America.