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Jay Z Criticized for Rocking Five Percent Nation Pendant

The New York Post investigates Hov's chain and possible connection to "radical" group.

Jay Z can't really make a move without being dissected for each and every thing he does, and can now put his jewelry collection to the list of discussion topics. 

The New York Post examined the history behind a pendant Hov wore to a basketball game with Beyoncé last week. The gold circular chain represents the Five Percent Nation — an organization founded in Harlem in 1964 by a former Nation of Islam member. 

Since Jigga Man wore the piece, and cryptically answered, "A little bit," when asked if the chain had any significance, the Post did some digging into the Five Percent Nation, and the Brooklyn mogul's possible affiliation to the group.

Between interviews from both black and white Five Percenters, the Post concluded that the collective believes "Black people are the fathers and mothers of civilization," and that "white men are the devil, the Christian god is nothing more than a ghost, and only a small percentage of people understand the world."

Although the Post builds its story around an implication that Jay's jewelry means he supports racism and "radical" views, he's not affiliated with the Five Percent Nation. "Jay Z is not an active member — no one has vouched for him," Five Percenter Saladain Allah told the newspaper. "It was always understood that you don't wear the ­regalia if you don't totally subscribe to the life."

Given the constant rumors of him being link to the Illuminati, Jay usually brushes off the chatter surrounding his belief systems. He hasn't [yet] responded to the Post story.    

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(Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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