Spring '08 LPs From Madonna, Coldplay, The Roots, Mudcrutch, Elvis Costello

Nas

Nigger Summer

And you thought Hip-Hop Is Dead was a provocative title! "This record is a lot more serious than hip-hop," says Nas, who tackles race and American history on his new album. Polow Da Don, Stargate, and Cool and Dre contribute beats to the disc, which includes "Be a Nigga Too" (a play on the Dr Pepper jingle), the Fox News-slamming "Sly Fox," and "This Is Not America," on which he raps about sexism and racism in the U.S. "This album is like talking to your child about sex," says Nas. "It's uncomfortable, but it's important."