Rapper Killer Mike Apologizes For Appearing On NRA Video

On Saturday, thousands gathered around the country for the March For Our Lives protest to rally for gun control following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

At the same time the National Rifle Association (NRA) released a video interview featuring outspoken rapper Killer Mike criticizing the protests. In a controversial interview, the rapper and social activist made statements disparaging the protests following the Parkland shootings. He has since apologized for his words.

Mike said that the interview he did was done a week before the march. He wanted to focus on black gun ownership and the NRA used that video to undermine the Parkland students and protestors, something he supports. 

"I did an interview about black gun ownership," he posted in his own video. "I'm sorry that an interview I did about a minority, black people in this country, and gun rights was used as a weapon against you guys. He continued, "That was unfair to you and it was wrong, and it disparaged some very noble work you're doing." 

He said that he wants to spark a conversation that needs to happen about African American gun ownership.

"My interview with said organization who we all don't agree with was supposed to be something that continued the conversation and that conversation is about African-American gun ownership," he said. "I do support the march and I support black people owning guns. It's possible to do both."

In his interview with the NRA, the rapper (real name Michael Render), said that he told his children expressly not to participate in the National School Walkout, which honored those that died in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

"I told my kids on the school walkout, 'I love you, [but] if you walk out that school, walk out my house,'" he said. "We are a gun-owning family, we are a family that my sister farms, we are a family where we'll fish and hunt, but we are not a family that jumps on every single thing that an ally of ours does because some stuff we just don't agree with."

Many blasted Mike for speaking with the NRA, a group that did not defend Philando Castile, a black man, who was killed by a cop for owning a legal gun.

El-P, the other half of Mike's group Run The Jewels, also criticized the rapper's words. But, he stated that he continues to support Mike as a colleague and friend.

Mike has previously spoken out about issues like police brutality and racism, as CNN reports. 

[Photo: Getty Images]