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Is The Title Of Busta Rhymes Latest Single Racist? |
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Written by Sanita Jassal
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Friday, 02 January 2009 |
 Hip-hop star Busta Rhymes left Interscope earlier this year and has now joined Universal Mototown. His upcoming album, previously called "Blessed" is now titled "B.O.M.B." standing for "Back On My Bulls**t”. Busta Rhymes latest single titled, “Arab Money” has caused a stir with the public as it has been heavily criticised, believing that the song borderlines racism.
The chorus sung by producer Ron Brows has been considered as ‘gibberish’ which now has been viewed as stereotyping deceptions of the Arabic culture.
The use of the ‘N-word’ which rappers have repeatedly used in songs may be acceptable in the hood, but most people from the Middle Eastern consider the mispronunciation of the word Arab (Ay-rab) is actually considered derogatory, similar to how many African-Americans view the N-word. Therefore the question raised here is in-fact is the title of Busta’s latest single racist?
 When aired on radio, listeners were outraged and complained to the stations about the song; British DJ Steve Sutherland was suspended from his position at Galaxy Radio due to this. The song is branded racist and the rapper is accused of mixing up elements of the Quran.
Busta Rhymes rejected the protests to the song, explaining he had no knowledge of any complaints coming exactly from the Arab community and that he has the upmost respect for the Arab culture.
The video for “Arab Money” was released on December 2nd and included an accurate pronunciation of the word "Arab". Busta recruited several rappers who practice the Muslim faith including Akon, Swizz Beatz and DJ Khaled.
The remix version of the song states:
“Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim,
Alhumdulillahi Rabil A’lameen"
Which means; “Praise be to God (Allah), Lord of the Worlds, The beneficial, the merciful”. The fact that the use of the word Allah is used in the same sentence as curse words has offended the public.
We can argue whether the song is simply stating that Arabic people are known to be rich therefore Busta Rhymes is emphasizing the extent of his wealth in relation to the Middle East and the fact that he rolls with Arabs, we can also argue that “Arab” is used not as an ethnicity but as an adjective for money or if it is genuinely a disrespectable and religiously wrong song.
What we must also think about is if one from another race was to write a song about ‘white money’ or ‘negro money’, would this have the same effect? Has music gone beyond entertainment?
By: Sanita Jassal
Artist: Busta Rhymes
Title: Arab Money (Remix) ft. Various Artists
Label: Flipmode / Universal Motown
Album: B.O.M.B (Back On My B.S.)
Producer: Ron Browz
Featuring: Ron Browz, Diddy, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Lil' Wayne
Lyrics:
[Intro: Busta Rhymes]
Ron Browz, yes!
Oh, we back in the most amazin' way
Well, lemme introduce you to the new talk
Let's get straight to it
C'mon!
[Chorus: Ron Browz]
Shalai Lai Lai Halilili Hai Lo!
Hi Li Ba Lai Hey Hi Li Bai Lo!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
Ha La Shiki Hai Lili Ba La!
Milli Ai Lai Shi Lili Ba La!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
[Verse 1: Busta Rhymes]
Now, there ain't no way that you could kill the beast dead
I got Middle East women and Middle East bread
I got oil well money in the desert playing golf
Dolce shorts, dashiki with a Louie Scarf
Chest cold, diamonds make a nigga wanna cough
In Dubai, 20 million on the villa loft
And then I step up in the club and then these other niggas mad as shit
The way I make the people wanna sing the hook in Arabic!
[Chorus: Ron Browz]
Shalai Lai Lai Halilili Hai Lo!
Hi Li Ba Lai Hey Hi Li Bai Lo!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
Ha La Shiki Hai Lili Ba La!
Milli Ai Lai Shi Lili Ba La!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
[Verse 2: Busta Rhymes]
Seven star hotels, Maybach, movie sick
Big bitches, knock-kneed camel-toed groupie shit
Women walk around while security on camelback
Club on fire now, niggas don't know how to act
Sittin' in casinos while I'm gamblin' with Arafat
Money long, watch me purchase pieces of the Almanac
Y'all already know, I got the streets buzzin'
While I make you bow down and make Salaat like a Muslim
[Chorus: Ron Browz]
Shalai Lai Lai Halilili Hai Lo!
Hi Li Ba Lai Hey Hi Li Bai Lo!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
Ha La Shiki Hai Lili Ba La!
Milli Ai Lai Shi Lili Ba La!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
[Verse 3: Busta Rhymes]
See, now I take trips to Baghdad dummy
While I use stacked chips and count Arab money now
I don't need to get fresh, about to grow a beard duke
So much cake even the money look weird too
Domestic bread, and I'm broad, I'm tryna eat right
Prince Alwali, Bin Talal, Al Saul
They respect the value of my worth in Maui, Malaysia
Iran and Iraq, Saudi Arabia!
[Chorus: Ron Browz]
Shalai Lai Lai Halilili Hai Lo!
Hi Li Ba Lai Hey Hi Li Bai Lo!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
Ha La Shiki Hai Lili Ba La!
Milli Ai Lai Shi Lili Ba La!
We gettin' Arab money!
We gettin' Arab money!
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