"If There Was An Illuminati, They Wouldn't Let Black People In"

R&B singer The-Dream is the latest artist to offer his take on hip-hop's speculated secret devil-worshipping society, the Illuminati, and why he has a hard time believing it actually exists.

In Dream's opinion, critics use Illuminati as an excuse to take away credit from hardworking entertainers.

"Pretty funny, 'cause nobody really wants to give you credit for where you at," Dream said when asked his opinion on Illuminati talks. "It's a 'higher' power and they just happened to give it to the black people, yeah right. Whatever. If there was an Illuminati, they wouldn't let black people in." (The LIFE Files TV)

Recently, Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame shared the same sentiment when asked about Young Money's Nicki Minaj and Illuminati rumors.

"I ain't got no thoughts on that, that's bullsh*t. Honeslty, -- n*ggas just make up names 'cause they don't know people's business," Flocka said in an interview. "So they create business for people's business. Like, if people stop being so nosy and stay out of people's business, maybe the name Illuminati won't be created. Honestly, they're just making a lot of money off of that sh*t because they selling books to people that's buying it, and that money is generating millions. I don't believe in that sh*t. Salute to Nicki, I loved her performance. I love everything she does. Squad." (Toronto Rappers)

Last year, rap mogul Jay-Z spoke on the topic of success and getting targeted in devil-worshipping talk.

"It may sound arrogant," he says, "but I just think people can't handle when somebody is successful. Something has gotta be wrong: you gotta be down with some higher power. And I guess when someone else is successful, it makes you feel like maybe you're a failure. So it can't be you, it has to be some other force." (Sky)

Back in 2010, rap veteran Uncle Luke defended Jay-Z in light of his Illuminati association accusations.

"I don't know any devil worshippers. And who knows, maybe Jay-Z and other rappers have some devil worshipers as fans. But that doesn't mean entertainers are sacrificing virgins for Beelzebub. I didn't even know who the Illuminati were until the Internet started buzzing that Jay-Z was one of them. It's ridiculous. Jay-Z is a cool cat. He ain't Hollywood. He is a regular guy. He is so f*cking grounded. It is a shame people want to link him to this conspiracy." (The 305)