Fiddy slams Nas' album title

In the wake of Nas' announcement that he plans to name his new album Ni**a, a number of African-American leaders lambasted the move, saying it was irresponsible. But several music moguls and rappers came to Nas' defense, citing artistic freedom and Nas' track record of pushing the envelope in an intelligent way.

The man that matters most, Antonio "L.A." Reid, chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group, backed his rapper. "We support everything our artists do, everything!" he added. "We stand firmly behind and beside our artists with pride and with pleasure. Anything Nas wants to do, I completely stand beside him. Nas is prolific, he's prophetic, he's a genius, an amazing artist of respect. So, while I'm not sure exactly all that [the title] entails, I know it's smart, so I stand behind him. That's real."

Given his refusal to clean up his lyrics in the wake of the Don Imus controversy and his belittling of Master P's attempts to do so, 50 Cent seems an odd choice for racial sensitivity. But when asked by MTV News about Nas' announcement, 50 said, "Nas sucks. It's nonsense, man. That's a stupid name. It doesn't make sense. Why would you title it that?"

"He just wants to make basic conversation," declared 50, who said in July that Nas was too smart for his own good. "You helped him out because you asked me [about it], and people who are interested in me would like to hear the answer. But other than that, there's nothing interesting in that. It's just for shock value."

Vandals hang noose on Tupac statue

In another in a string of race-baiting, attention-seeking acts in recent weeks, vandals tied a noose around the neck of a bronze statue of slain rapper Tupac Shakur in Georgia last week. The De Kalb County Sheriff's Office said it has arrested one individual and is investigating a series of racial attacks at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, which is located in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

The vandals also reportedly drew crosses and wrote rants about 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and various record labels on the statue, which is located in the center's "peace garden." The attacks are being investigated as hate crimes and police are seeking additional suspects.

The noose that was hung around the statue's neck is an imitation of other cases recently reported in the media, including the infamous incident that led to the arrest of the Jena 6 in Louisiana.

"We thank everyone for their prayers and support," Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, said in a statement. "Although our hearts are temporarily in pain, our spirits have already forgiven the perpetrators. Hate comes in all colors and genders therefore we will use this act of hate and ignorance to bring our community together and to pray for the healing of those who harbor such feelings."

Diddy unveils vodka deal

Diddy unveiled yet another ancillary business venture yesterday, but in doing so had to face questions about an accusation that he assaulted a man at a New York City nightclub earlier this month. At a press conference in New York City yesterday, Diddy--real name Sean Combs--said he is diving into the vodka business with a multiyear deal to develop the Ciroc vodka brand, in which he would share 50 percent of the profits.

The agreement will be worth more than $100 million for Diddy's Sean Combs Enterprises over the course of the deal, depending on how well the brand performs. "They're looking for something that tastes like their lifestyle," Diddy said. "It's that trendsetter, that hipster, someone who's looking for luxury and looking for something better."

As for the assault allegation, Diddy said the media blew it out of proportion. "It was something that was just totally overblown...I don't fight over girls!" Combs said. "I am a human being and I will get into an argument at times." Diddy is reportedly being investigated in relation to an alleged fight over a woman at a New York City nightclub early in the morning on Oct 14.

T-Pain has year's biggest ringtone

In the battle for king of the ringtone in 2007, T-Pain is the man to beat, according to a report in Billboard this week. The singer's "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" is the best-selling mastertone of 2007, according to Nielsen RingScan, moving more than 2.3 million units year to date. That figure is nearly double the 1.6 million digital downloads the same track has sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It dwarfs the 686,000 copies of Epiphany, the album that contains "Buy U a Drank."

T-Pain is no stranger to ringtone success. His first album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, sold 597,000 copies on the strength of the hit single "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)," which reportedly sold more than 5 million ringtones. But the singer could have competition for the crown in 2007, given that Soulja Boy's "Crank Dat" is reportedly hot on his tail.

Foxy Brown gets solitary confinement

Multiple arrests, slaps on the wrist, and probation weren't enough to change the behavior of Foxy Brown, and it doesn't appear that a one-year jail term will either. The troubled rapper, currently serving one year at Riker's Island, has been ordered into solitary confinement for 76 days due to three separate infractions that occurred over the past 30 days, according to the New York Post.

The first of the three incidents that Brown is being disciplined for occurred October 3, according to the Post, when the rapper and another female inmate got into a scuffle that had to be broken up by prison officials. The next day, Brown was accused of verbally assaulting officials and refusing to take a mandatory drug test.

Foxy--real name Inga Marchand--is unable to leave solitary confinement for the customary one hour each day to see visitors, meet with her attorney, or partake in a limited number of recreation options. The other inmate involved in the fight was given 11 days of solitary confinement.

The rapper recently left Def Jam to sign with indie powerhouse Koch Records and is scheduled to release an album she recorded before her incarceration called Brooklyn's Don Diva. The album hits stores Nov. 20.

Spector close to finding new attorney

Phil Spector is readying himself for another go-round in court. The famed superproducer, set to stand trial again for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson after the first trial ended with a hung jury in September, has reportedly narrowed his search for a new lead attorney in the case. According to the Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler read two reports submitted by attorney Christopher Plourd but kept them sealed because they detail Spector's financial negotiations with a number of lawyers since his first trial ended last month.

"I want Mr. Spector to be comfortable with this attorney," the judge said, and granted a delay until Nov. 6 for an appearance by a new lawyer. The judge said it will likely take more than 60 days after that date for a new lawyer to prepare for trial.

Spector, 67, is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, 40, on Feb. 3, 2003, at his mansion. Fidler declared a mistrial on Sept. 26 when jurors deadlocked 10-2, with the majority favoring conviction, following a six-month trial. Members of Spector's previous defense team either resigned or were dismissed after the mistrial.