You got to hand it to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s influence. A year and a half since the "Otis" video release, and rappers are still using the American flag in their videos and photographs. From A.S.A.P. Rocky and Freddie Gibbs, to Carolina artists Kaze and Benjamin Starr.

"American Dream" is from Benny Starr’s Guns-N-Roses mixtape, one of the selections on The Top Carolina Hip Hop Releases of 2012 list. The track is produced by Danny Dee and one of my favorites off the entire project. Beyond the production, lyrics and hook, I love the overall message.

Watch the "American Dream" video after the jump!

Run That Back:

Benjamin Starr — Guns-N-Roses (Mixtape).