GREENSBORO, N.C. - Those new Nikes are fresh, but will they rock your retirement like a money market account?

Rap artists and fans debated the finer points of money management this weekend at a seminar at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. The event was sponsored by the Hip-Hop Action Network, led by music industry heavyweight Russell Simmons.

Simmons and performers like Jim Jones and Lil' Mo talked about how to avoid debt and invest intelligently. They discussed credit ratings and the advisability of buying a home.

Simmons brought street cred to the subject: He sold his stake in Def Jam Records for a reported $100 million in 1999 and is now head of Rush Communications, an entertainment, fashion and marketing conglomerate.

Their overall advice: Work hard, don't abuse credit and balance the bling against your future needs.

"Everybody wants to make it rain, but they never have something saved up for a rainy day," said Lil' Mo, a singer and songwriter.

The stars acknowledged they like the occasional frill. Jones admitted that he buys "the hottest cars that come out," but advised that people with more modest incomes should stick to more practical transportation.

Singer Anthony Hamilton sheepishly acknowledged a side-trip to the mall before the event, where he was dazzled by "sparkly Nikes that I purchased _ on sale!"