Nas Changes Controversial Album Title

Earlier today, a rep at Def Jam said Nas had changed the title of his new album from the controversial Nigger to the much simpler and less incendiary Nas. Now MTV News is reporting that Nas has decided to release the album untitled. "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans," Nas reportedly said in a statement. "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." Late last year, Def Jam chairman L.A. Reid said he would "stand firmly behind" the title, which at one point was Nigga, but an "eleventh-hour decision" by Nas resulted in the change. Nas told MTV last week, "Everybody is trying to stop the title. ... Record stores are gonna have a problem in this day and time selling a record with that title. Who knows what's gonna turn out and be on that title?" The album is still due out July 1st.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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