Stars rapped for offensive lyrics

Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam records, wants artists to stop using words such as 'nigger', 'bitch' and 'ho' in their songs.

He said: 'These three words should be considered with the same objections to obscenity as extreme curse words. This is a first step.

'It's a clear message and a consistency that we want the industry to accept for more corporate social responsibility.'

It comes after US radio personality Don Imus caused outrage when he called a women's basketball team ' nappyheaded hos' - a reference to their hairstyles.

Activists in the black community have since turned their attention to rap lyrics and questioned what steps the music industry should take to police itself.