Yesterday we posted a set of behind-the-scenes photos as well as video footage of Lil Wayne's video shoot for his next single, "God Bless Amerika." The photos and video stirred up some controversy because Weezy F was seen dancing on an American flag during the shoot.
Lil Wayne seems to want to avoid controversy these days, perhaps considering the Mountain Dew fiasco, he took to Twitter this morning to offer up an explanation. According to Tunechi, the flag dropped in the visual and he was supposed to continue performing, which he did, not noticing he was performing on the flag.
"I didn't step on the flag on purpose! It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me and after it drop it's just there as I perform," Wayne said.
Watch the behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot below.
[Update: Wayne Releases Official Statement]
Wayne has now released an official statement on the controversy, clarifying that the image meant to be captured by the camera was not of the flag on the ground, but those behind it. He goes on to reveal that the people in the background represent "the hood", which he describes as the America he knew growing up.
Read the statement below.
"It was never my intention to desecrate the flag of the United States of America. I was shooting a video for a song off my album entitled “God Bless Amerika”. The clip that surfaced on the Internet was a camera trick clip that revealed that behind the American Flag was the Hoods of America. In the final edit of the video you will see the flag fall to reveal what is behind it but will never see it on the ground. In most people eyes including my own who were raised in that environment, the Hood is the only America they know and the only America I knew growing up. I was fortunate from my God giving talents to escape the Hood and see the other beautiful places this country has to offer but most people who are born in that environment don’t get that chance. That’s their view of their America. That was Dwayne M Carter from Hollygrove New Orleans view of America. That’s who I’m speaking for in this song."