Hova’s controversial chain makes another debut at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival

Back in April, Jay-Z made headlines when he bore a gaudy, diamond encrusted medallion to a Brooklyn Nets game. It wasn’t just any iced out medallion, though. It was a Universal Flag of the 5% Nation, otherwise known as the Nation Of Gods and Earths.

This created a media frenzy, with many charging the cultural mogul with supporting an anti-white hate group, but that didn’t stop Jay from rocking the flag that has been worn by notables such as Carmelo Anthony, Rakim, and others.

This past Saturday at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, Jay-Z made a special appearance alongside RocNation’s Jay Electronica. While surrounded on stage by members of the Nation Of Islam’s Fruit Of Islam security, Hov rewarded his protege with the Universal Flag medallion.

With “El Padrino” draped in full FOI garb, many want to know the meaning of the seemingly ritualistic passing of the controversial medallion. The stage was swelling with Muslim security, but the Universal Flag isn’t a Muslim flag or representative of the religion of Islam. Neither Jay-Z or Jay Elec have publicly claimed affiliation with the Nation of Gods and Earths, however, after Saturday’s “passing of the torch” following the “Public Service Announcement” performance says that the Universal Flag has significant meaning to both artists. This ain’t no Roc-A-Fella medallion we’re talikng about here.

In commemoration of the 5% Nation celebrating its 50th year, The World Famous Apollo Theater is presenting a “God & Hip Hop” concert featuring well known Five Percenters in the Hip Hop community including Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Erykah Badu, and many others. Who knows?Maybe Jay will be making a special appearance there as well.

-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)

Photo Props: The Legendary VJ Ralph McDaniels