STEVE IRWIN - IRWIN'S MANAGER SLAMS STINGRAY RAP

US rap star RAS KASS has been criticised by the late STEVE IRWIN's manager JOHN STAINTON, after the hip hop lyricist used THE CROCODILE HUNTER's death to take a swipe at a rival rapper. KASS took aim at fellow rap artist THE GAME with lyrics that reference the much loved Australian's recent death (4SEP06), after he was stung in the heart by a stingray as he snorkeled off the Great Barrier Reef. During the track, Kass can be heard saying of The Game, "You're the waste of LA, you the Crocodile Hunter, I am the stingray." Irwin's longtime friend and manager says, "I just find it a bit sad that people have to stoop to that. It is a bit disappointing. I can't understand the point to it. There are other references they can make that will put the point across. "I just think it a pity that people do have to use Steve or anyone who has died in tragic circumstances as a form of entertainment."