November 4, 2008 16:06

Soulja Boy gives a shout out to American slave masters

Rapper makes controversial statement at awards

Soulja Boy has caused controversy by giving a shout out to American slave masters of the past at an awards ceremony.

At the recent BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, the star was asked which historical figure he most hated by journalist Touré, who prompted the rapper by suggesting that other musicians he had asked had given examples such as Adolf Hitler, Osama bin Laden and slave masters, reports The Guardian.

Soulja Boy responded by saying: "Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we'd still be in Africa. We wouldn't be here to get this ice and tattoos."

The statement has caused controversy, although some fans have pointed to 18-year-old Soulja Boy's youth and inexperience as an explanation for his comment.