Nas protests Fox coverage of Obama as 'racist propaganda'

Rap star Nas left the studio for the soap box Wednesday, branding Fox News a racist, fear-mongering network with a penchant for attacking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The hip-hop heavyweight starred in an afternoon protest outside Fox News headquarters on Sixth Ave. near 48th St.

"Calling Michelle Obama Barack's 'baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable?" Nas thundered. "But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering regularly focuses on black leaders, black institutions and ordinary black people."

Nas joined two activist groups, Color of Change and Move On, for the protest. His latest album, "Untitled," features the track "Sly Fox."

"Watch what you watchin'. Fox keeps feedin' us toxin," Nas rhymes.

Boxes filled with petitions signed by more than 600,000 people denouncing the conservative network's alleged racism surrounded the rapper's plywood podium. Nas said he tried to hand over the petitions to Fox Wednesday, but the network turned him down.

A network spokeswoman said, "Fox News believes in all protesters exercising their right to free speech, including Nas, who has an album to promote."

After the "baby mama" graphic appeared last month, the network said a producer "exercised poor judgment" during the segment.

Despite the anti-Fox/pro-Obama publicity, the candidate is not backing away from the network.

Two Fox reporters are traveling with Obama on his Middle East tour, and he is scheduled to sit down with Fox for an interview in London on Saturday, a network source said.

The Obama campaign declined to comment on the protest.

Photo: Nas joined members of MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org to protest Fox News coverage of presidential candidate Barack Obama.