Okay..I admit it... I have a new guilty pleasure ...it's the "Arab Money" song by one of my favs, Busta Rhymes. The cut was produced by Ron Browz (the newest Auto-tuned voiced artist) and it's pretty fire if you ask me. Busta has also created a cool new dance to go with it as well which I have mastered pretty quickly, if I must say so. (LOL!) See the dance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phsTZXjLrH0
But, being the 30-something guy that I am, I had to ask myself - Is the song racist?? Hmmm....
Let's first break down the title. The proper pronunciation of the word "Arab" (air-Rub) has been hoodified to "A-Rab" (A-RABB). I had to share this so those who live outside of NY, CT and NJ can understand the brevity of the situation. Unfortunately, regardless if you are Palestinian, Indian or Pakistani, the term "A-Rab" has been poorly used to describe all of these ethnicities. This is basically the equivalent of calling a Jamaican an African or an Italian a Russian.
Producer Ron Browz, via his myspace page video states that the musical influence from the cut was inspired by hearing the traditional middle eastern music blaring from the speakers within these bodega stores. (NOTE: For those readers who don't know, in Northeast Anyhood USA, there is a huge contingency of Middle Eastern and South Asian bodega owners.) He also states that the "A-rabs" are always stacking their paper by getting rich in the hood. Meanwhile, Busta Rhymes says that his lyrics and the music is an ode to cats getting that "real money"...that Dubai oil money. Nothing more, nothing less.
For all intensive purposes, I believe Busta meant nothing malicious by the dance and the song. In fact, if you look at the dance closely, the moves have a south asian bhangra influence on some level... But I digress.
But, being the 30-something guy that I am, I had to ask myself - Is the song racist?? Hmmm....
Let's first break down the title. The proper pronunciation of the word "Arab" (air-Rub) has been hoodified to "A-Rab" (A-RABB). I had to share this so those who live outside of NY, CT and NJ can understand the brevity of the situation. Unfortunately, regardless if you are Palestinian, Indian or Pakistani, the term "A-Rab" has been poorly used to describe all of these ethnicities. This is basically the equivalent of calling a Jamaican an African or an Italian a Russian.
Producer Ron Browz, via his myspace page video states that the musical influence from the cut was inspired by hearing the traditional middle eastern music blaring from the speakers within these bodega stores. (NOTE: For those readers who don't know, in Northeast Anyhood USA, there is a huge contingency of Middle Eastern and South Asian bodega owners.) He also states that the "A-rabs" are always stacking their paper by getting rich in the hood. Meanwhile, Busta Rhymes says that his lyrics and the music is an ode to cats getting that "real money"...that Dubai oil money. Nothing more, nothing less.
For all intensive purposes, I believe Busta meant nothing malicious by the dance and the song. In fact, if you look at the dance closely, the moves have a south asian bhangra influence on some level... But I digress.
I had to wonder that if I made a song called "Jew Money" and had a stereotypical dance that had me pinching pennies, would that be racist? What if I had a dance called "Black Money" that had me dancing with my pockets looking like rabbit ears? Would that be racist?
Of course it would be.
So I can't help to think that no matter what the intent, and despite that many of hip hop heads including myself may deem as harmless, the song and dance could be viewed and interpreted as racist by some. As a result of this, I am going to do my best to stop doing the dance and playing the song. Just like my conscious, intelligent sisters who listen and sing "Put It In Your Mouth" in the club, I will slowly wean myself off of this... Peace - Cap-D
Posts
2 comments:
"rabbbit ears!" aaaaahh--ok, as you can see, love your analogous moments!:):) ok, i'm MUST be old as Hades'--because I think this song is NOT all that...AT ALL.
And yes, listened to it on a good clear system---and the dance'??? is that a "dance"? it's a point to the left and right with a bobble-head, git silly w it' shake!!!?!? this is some bull. hip hop is muddled-madness.
Cap,
First, the song is FIRE. I love the look, the beat, and Busta rips it. For the car heads like me, this is what we call driving music, tunes that can get you from DC to NYC in 3 flat, that New Jersey Turnpike navigation music.
As for your comment cap, I find that it is absolutely NOT racist but in this regard, is the ultimate compliment. Busta is giving much deserved props to our Arab brothers for making money exploiting their resources and selling it at the cost that the market will bear. I am not happy filling my car up nowadays (especially since I need premium in my 21 gallon tank), but who am I to knock their hustle? Or yours?
As for whether this would acceptable if Busta said "Jew money", the answer is NO because of the historical connotations of Jews in regard to money, both positive and negative. Busta saying anything critical or satirical in this way could have opened Busta to risk being called anti-semitic, no matter his intent. Our Arab brothers have no such issues in this specific regard, so let the celebration continue. If it were another issue, the tables may turn.
The bottom line is that all comments are not made equal and each message needs to be tailor made for your audience. Busta hit this one out the park.
Peace
Post a Comment