TERRENCE HOWARD - HOWARD DISSUADED FROM OSCARS SINGSONG

Rapper/actor TERRENCE HOWARD has been urged not to sing at this weekend's (05MAR06) Academy Awards, because other black Hollywood stars could be offended by his crude lyrics. The 36-year-old HUSTLE AND FLOW star, who is up for a Best Actor gong for his portrayal of pimp, hustler and aspiring rapper DJAY, was slated to sing IT'S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP - taken from the film's soundtrack. But a string of stars, including actor/director SIDNEY POITIER, DENZEL WASHINGTON and WILL SMITH, have begged him to reconsider the performance, insisting that lines like "Man it seems like I'm duckin' dodgin' bullets everyday / N**gaz hatin' on me cause I got, hoes on the tray" are derogatory to the black community. Howard's close friend EVA LONGORIA, explains, "Sidney Poitier said, 'Do not get up there and represent the African American community singing about a pimp.'" Neither Poitier, Washington or Smith were available for comment. Rap group THREE MAFIA will perform a censored version of the song in Howard's place.