Image via Complex Original
You can't watch a music video on YouTube these days without seeing comments about the Illuminati. You know the Illuminati right? The world's richest men who supposedly control the world? Something like that. Well, the organization has become one of pop culture's favorite conspiracy theories ever since hip-hop's elite has been rocking symbols which allude to Freemasonry—like the All Seeing Eye, pyramids, and owls. Each symbol has a meaning to it, which we won't get into (for our own safety), but I'm sure you can figure it out (at your own risk).
We're not confirming anything. In fact, we doubt your favorite rapper or musician is actually in the Illuminati, but just to prove how popular Masonic images have become, we collected photos of 13 celebrities who knowingly or unknowingly flaunted these symbols. So here they are, Fresh Masons: 13 Celebrities Caught Rocking Illuminati Imagery.
13. Lil Wayne
What:Snapback Cap
When: March 2011
Where:Interview Magazinephotoshoot
Symbols:The crosses and triangle
Complex Says:The upside-down cross is considered a Satanic symbol (since it's a diss towards Jesus), and the triangle has 3 points which is supposedly an ungodly number.
12. Madonna
What:Jacket
When:1980s
Symbol:Eye of Providence
Complex Says: The Eye of Providence, or "All Seeing Eye" symbolizes the eye of God watching over us. It's on the back of the $1 bill, if you want a closer look. Looks like the Illuminati touched a young Madonna for the first time, and she hasn't been the same since.
11. The Game
What:Red Jacket
When:March 2010
Symbol:The Eye of Providence and 13 leaves wreath
Complex Says:These symbols are both on the $1 bill. The number 13 is another "unlucky" number, (why do you think buildings skip the 13th floor?). With The R.E.D. Album and this jacket, it's all starting to make sense. Who are you fooling, Game?
10. 50 Cent
What:Fitted Cap
When:November 2010
Where:Red Carpet
Symbol: The Eye of Providence and A Wreath with 13 Leaves
Complex Says:50 is wearing the same symbol as The Game. Interesting... Maybe they did squash their beef and are repping a new unit. Conspiracy!
9. Drake
What:Sweatshirt
When:June 2011
Where:BET Awards
Symbol:Owl
Complex Says:Owls are nocturnal birds. Since all this ritual mumbo jumbo takes place at night, the Illuminati chose this bird as their mascot. Maybe Drake is just chanelling his inner child here by paying homage to the owl in old Tootise Roll Pop ads. Maybe not.
8. Jay-Z
What:Givenchy Tee
When September 2011
Where:MGM Grand Garden Arena
Symbol:Pentagrams
Complex Says: A "pentagram" is a star. Some rituals would be performed on pentagrams either right-side up or upside-down. Hov probably just thought it was a dope shirt. *shrugs all around*
7. Justin Bieber
What:T-Shirt
When:Unknown
Symbol:Pentagrams and A-Ok hand sign over the left eye
Complex Says:People have spent hours studying the Eye of Providence, and found it to be the left eye. The A-Ok hand sign (touching your index finger to your thumb with your remaining fingers pointed up) means everything is just fine, but over the left eye, it symbolizes the eye of Osiris (who replaced Anubis as the god of the dead in Egyptian mythology). Uh oh, Bieber! Say it ain't so kid!
6. Soulja Boy
What:Tattoos
When:Unknown
Symbol:The Eye of Providence and pentagrams
Complex Says:Usually the celebrities wear the symbols, but Soulja Boy decided to get the symbols tatted on his body. Man, the things artists do to stay relevant. Thanks Media Takeout!
5. Chris Brown
What:Tattoos
When:2008
Symbol:Three Pentagrams
Complex Says:Three again. Some YouTube commenters and message board posters thought that Breezy's tattoo was "The Mark of The Beast". He did make a song called 'Fallen Angel' on his Exclusive album, and he did have a huge comeback this year. Maybe the Illuminati is looking out for him? Hmm, the plot thickens...
4. Rihanna
What:Mickey Mouse Ears
When:2009
Where:'Hard' video shoot
Symbol:Mind control headwear
Complex Says:Mickey Mouse ears symbolize mind control, and they say those who wear it are fully under the Illuminati's control. We're under a little mind control ourselves just looking at Rihanna and thinking about her sexiest outfits.
3. Beyonce
What:Dress
When:2008
Where:I Am Sasha Fierce photoshoot
Symbol: Goat head
Complex Says: The goat head is the head of Baphomet, a goat-man with wings. Well, he's a prominent demon figure. Cool? Nightmare? This is another symbol we don't quite understand, but we think it would look awesome on the front of a motorcycle.
2. Lady Gaga
What:Dress
When:2009
Where:The Monster Ball Tour
Symbol: Anubis
Complex Says:Again, Anubis was the Egyptian god of the dead. So would present day Anubis be the devil? Yikes. That might be looking too deep into things. Gaga went hard with this outfit, and if the Illuminati is real, I think we know which team she's on.
1. Kanye West
What:Everything
When:2010
Where: BET Awards
Symbol:Wearing all red, Horus chain, pyramid rings [left]; Eye of Providence Rings [right]
Complex Says:Devil in a reddress suit! That kit is fly. The Horus chain symbolizes royal power and protection, which was fitting for Kanye's performance. Kanye went H.A.M. with his outfit choice and accessories. Illuminati or not, we back gold accessories!