Rumors were flying over the weekend regarding rapper Asher Roth's sexual preference.

According to gossip blogs, Roth was slated to appear on an E! News Holiday special this week where he'd talk in detail about rumors of him "coming out the closet."

Roth was apparently the topic of a book about gay men in hip-hop, called Hiding in Hip-Hop by author Terrance Dean (reports TeamYee.tv), who posted a blog entry this week saying the rapper was definitely mentioned in his book.

In the special, the rapper was to confirm the rumors. However, the news is untrue says a rep from his label, SRC Records, who says Roth is straight.

"I would like to address the recent Internet rumors about Asher Roth: Asher Roth is not gay, and is not scheduled to be interviewed on the E! channel," SRC VP DJ Vlad said in a statement on his website (VladTV.com).

It was also rumored that Roth was dropped from SRC, where he released his debut album, Asleep In the Bread Aisle, earlier this year. This was also untrue.

Vlad said that Asher Roth is still signed with the label, and remains a top priority.

"Asher has not been dropped from SRC Records, and is a top priority at the label after having sold over a million copies of his 'I Love College' single," said Vlad. "Asher is currently working on his next album for SRC."

Update: on Monday afternoon (December 21), Roth released this statement:

"I hate to disappoint and take away the entertainment of it all but I am straight, not gay," Roth said in a statement. "It's disheartening to know such 'news' on someone's personal life can be portrayed as fact with no viable source. This, to me, is an opportunity to expose our vulnerability to lies and manipulation through unprofessional and irresponsible news outlets, in which people consider TRUTH. Further, someone's sexual orientation should NEVER be big news, as it delivers a troubling message to children that they can't be themselves without fear of judgment. Race, creed, and sexual persuasion should not just be tolerated but understood and accepted. It's extremely disappointing that this topic would be used with the intention of being hurtful. We are near 2010....2010!! Yet race, sex and religion still play a major role in a hate driven society. For the love of the future and humanity .... let's wake up."