Use of the Confederate Flag in Hip Hop

How rappers have addressed the South's symbol of racism.

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Kanye West's Tour Gear - Kanye West drew the ire of Al Sharpton and the side eye of fans when he began selling merchandise that features the Confederate flag at his Yeezus tour. "I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It's my flag now. Now, what you gonna do?" he said in his defense. *Kanye shrug*  (Photo: Virgil Abloh via Instagram)
Nas' "Testify" Lyrics - In this song off his 2008 Untitled LP, Nas uses the controversial flag to illustrate a violent reaction to racism. "Send these redneck bigots to some death in a bag," Nas rhymes. "Choke him out with his Confederate flag/I know these devils are mad." (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
Lil Wayne, I Am Not a Human Being 2 - Lil Wayne has sometimes seemed to be rhyming on autopilot of late, and his next project, a sequel to his 2010 album I Am Not a Human Being, is the perfect chance to right the course. He’s certainly off to a promising start: Juicy J, David Banner and Cool & Dre are among the reported producers; Kanye West appears on the album and is also designing the artwork; and the first single, “Rich as F--k,” features 2 Chainz.  (Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Clear Channel)Pastor Troy's Hometown Pride - Atlanta-bred rhymer Pastor Troy wanted to show hometown pride in the video for his 2001 hit "This Tha City," but may have taken it too far when he had Black folks in the video boldly wearing and flashing the contoverisal flag.  (Photo: Universal Records)

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Kanye West's Tour Gear - Kanye West drew the ire of Al Sharpton and the side eye of fans when he began selling merchandise that features the Confederate flag at his Yeezus tour. "I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It's my flag now. Now, what you gonna do?" he said in his defense. *Kanye shrug* (Photo: Virgil Abloh via Instagram)

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