Beware exposed Busta’s new remix for the pile of dung it really was. I’m not Arab, but mocking cultures doesn’t sit well with me, so I never got past listening to the original.
Then I saw on the news (not American) that DJs were losing their jobs over this song and its remix, notably the latter. At which point I backtracked to Beware’s post not only to listen to the song, but to read the comments. My man Amp said:
Is it really that bad?
Too much hate in Hip-Hop nowadays. It’s a fun song to get the party hype.
It’s not that serious.
Yes it is. Very, actually. Arabs are extremely proud of their culture and language. Busta mocked it in the original version and continued to say that it was all in good fun. The protests were silent.
But the remix?? Man, it is strictly forbidden in The Glorious Qu’ran to ever invoke verses, prayers and even Allah’s name in combination with music and melody. It’s not frowned upon, or ill advised, it’s forbidden. (At this point, I’d like to advise anybody that’s about to say any dumb shit about Muezzins to hold their tongue.)
Islam is one of the better preserved, most strict, modern religions. Sometimes this leads to radicalism, most times this leads to a stern devoutness. Say all you want about terrorists hating America, but there are about 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, about 8 million in the US; if they really wanted problems, you would know.
Bussa was quoted as saying:
“Sometimes, people like to twist things. We ain’t mockin’ the culture. We ain’t tryin’ to be disrespectful. Ain’t no racism going on right here.[..]we are actually biggin’ up the culture. At the end of the day, I want to be like that.”
That’s like saying “I want to feed starving kids in Saudi Arabia, so I’m sending them pork chops,” and then proceeding to say “It’s not disrespectful, I’m just trying to give something back to the needy.” I’d like to meet the Arab gangsta rapper who makes a song entirely about how he’ll slay fools like the Passion of the Christ, or the white rapper who makes the track “I got it on lock like slavery.” At some point you cannot justify stepping over the line. All you can do is apologize and fall back or sink with your ship.
Hip-Hop as a culture should not outwardly condone being ignorant or ethnocentric. We should be different, we should set the example. Especially since most Muslims here are Black. This is another reason why we don’t get any respect. For the amount of support Arabs and followers of the Islamic creed have given to Hip-Hop, and this man in particular, Busta’s chorus is almost as offensive as the justifications that fans give for it.
I’m curious to see the first performance of this track abroad.
B.O.M.B (Back On My B.S.) in stores 03.10.09.
UK Radio Jock Suspended Over Busta Song[EurWeb]
Previously Posted – El Khara Dah? | Busta Rhymes Feat. Ron Browz – “Arab Money” Video
Cool_Breeze-East_Points_Greatest_Hit-1999
Shabba_Ranks-As_Raw_As_Ever
2_Live_Crew-Me_So_Horny-VLS-1989
2_Live_Crew-We_Want_Some_Pussy-VLS-1987
The_Beatnuts-Remix_EP
OST-VA-Hustle_And_Flow-OST-2005
OST-VA-I_Got_The_Hookup-OST-1998
Raphael_Saadiq-The_Way_I_See_It
VA-The_Sound_Of_Philadelphia-Gamble_And_Huffs_Greatest_Hits
Santogold-Live_De_La_Semaine
Chuck_Stanley-The_Finer_Things_In_Life__1987_-Remastered-2008
Gwen_Guthrie-Just_For_You__1985_-Remastered-2008
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we’ll i’m glad somebody finally said it. that song may have had a hot beat..(.and as much as we all love busta) ………that song was ignorant as shit. makes Black Americans & hip hop in general look stupid.
i’m tired of this p.c. bullshit of having to tip-toe around and be extra sensitive about Islam. i respect Muslims and their devotion to their religion just like I respect Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans or any other religion under the sun. having said that, i think it’s getting a little rediculous. people should be able to endure someone questioning, debating or even (gasp) poking fun at their religion, and maybe even use it as a test of their faith. is the song in bad taste? obviously. Is it fucking horrible? definitely. is it cause for some kind of boycott on busta’s music? i really don’t think so (besides, the shit he’s been putting out lately is reason enough to not listen to it). besides, the song is called Arab money, not Muslim money. the two are not the same thing at all. not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arabs. i didn’t see this kind of outrage when every comedian in america was making jokes about priests fucking kids. are we supposed to respect and revere all religions or just the ones that include psycho terrorists?
still not sweatin it. that track is hot. we was rockin to this shit at my house this weekend
sherm hit it on the head
My man Amp is under heavy scrutiny this evening lol
Damn McNuggets, now this.
yo anyone holding some OJays? Like BackStabbers?
Hey, real talk, I have not listened to that song. At all.
LMFAO @ Oh. We
He tossed me right under the bus lol.
At least give your boy a head’s up, I’m like a deer in the headlights over here lol.
this is dumb, both sides. i do agree with sherm “the song is called Arab money, not Muslim money. the two are not the same thing at all. not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arabs.” muslims call us infedels (know i misspelled this) and shit on our whole society, why is this a big deal? i don’t believe in “organized religion” at all. let bus mak an ignorant ass song about fat, lazy people who com home from work and get on the smoking section/facebook/rotoworld and i ain’t trying to get people fired. like meth & B.I.G. said “fuck the world don’t ask me for shit”.
RELIGION IS FOR THE WEAK MINDED. FUCK MUSLIMS, JEWS, CHRISTIANS AND ALL THAT SHEEP-MINDED SHIT.
^^^ see that shit is uncalled-for…respect people’s superstitions
Busta definitely gets a pass from me. Time served.
Shit’s HARR-A-BULL.
^^^ see that shit is uncalled-for…respect people’s superstitions
——————————————————————————————————
AS SOON AS THOSE PEOPLE STOP PUSHIN THEIR “SUPERSTITIONS” ON ME AND KILLIN’ AND HATIN’ EACH OTHER. TIL THEN FUCK YOU WEAK MINDED ASSHOLES.
I respect your position, but personally I don’t think this is that serious.
========================
even Allah’s name in combination with music and melody. It’s not frowned upon, or ill advised, it’s forbidden.
========================
Is this true? never heard that before.
contra quit trying to act all high and mighty, lets see you defend the comedians makin fun of christianity. Loosen up and get a grip, don’t take shit too seriously.
The song can most definitely be interpreted as being offensive, not out of malice, but out of ignorance. I don’t think there’s one derogatory line in either version of the song about Arabs, Muslims or Islam.
It’s the kind of song that’s meant to be playful but is going to offend who it’s gonna offend. I mean, they tried to make “Crank That” a song about some weird sex act lol.
“Arab Money” is one of those songs that for a brief moment allows you to revel in it’s ignorance, like countless songs before it & with the dominance of autotune, sure to be countless songs to come. To quote myself…
“Too much hate in Hip-Hop nowadays. It’s a fun song to get the party hype.
It’s not that serious.”
There’s definitely too much hate in Hip-Hop, so why not focus on the positives that an “Arab Money” can offer & try to bring people together & maybe even educate someone about Arabic culture & Islam.
The Arab’s who own the corner store around my way bump that shit like an anthem, as a way to connect with the neighborhood. I caught Habib behind the register the other day, counting out $20′s, singin’ to himself…
“We gettin Arab money, we gettin Arab money!”
at the end of the day, not all arabs are islamic. and as sherm said, the song is not called islam money. I think that being mad at him for making this song is a little too picky.
can’t we just be mad at him for making the song? For music’s sake?
Hmm.. No offense to most of you, but you’re missing the point.
a) Singing verses from the Qu’ran has nothing to do with Arabs, and that…if not the fact it’s just plain wrong, is why other Muslims would be offended. It’s playing on a stereotype in the wrong way, and disrespecting a religion in the same breath.
b) Regardless of how you want to slice your cake of “It’s not a swipe at Muslims”, Islam is the most prosecuted religion in the world. Seriously. If my middle name were not Nasir, I dont think I’d know the security at the airport as personally as I do. Which is particularly why I personally get pissed every time something like this comes up. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
c) The reason why people outside the US get testy about this is because there is a certain degree of respect required. Just the same way a Muslim gangsta rapper wouldnt make a song about how he slays niggas like Crucifixions, there is a reciprocity of sorts required. Anybody that’s out here screaming freedom of speech will be the first one scream STFU when an ignorant person of another race exercises theirs. Double standards.
d)Hip Hop Folks. Is this really how you wanna be represented? Busta is easily one of the elder statesmen right now. For him to behave like this reflects on every one of us globally. U may have seen Habib singin this track behind the counter at some store, but I know a good number of people who have been very deeply offended. A very good number of people. Sometimes you have to weigh out your freedoms. Is it worth mocking a religion to make a dope club hit? Or is it better to take the Nas approach and do shit to make a point?
or is it better to not do it at all so that people can appreciate your music for what it’s really worth
which brings me to e) I find it hard to believe that these guys stepped up the level of insult in the remix by mistake. Controversy sells, and it’ll even sell bad music.
The song’s not caled Muslim Money, this is fucking retarded. Muslims dont controil oil and own Dubai, Arabs do.
Should have just called it Jewish Money … thats REAL money and we Jews take jokes much better than Arab’s do. Ever seen that south park where that shit with that guy went down? Yea man.
^- Again, point missed. The country being offended in this article isnt even Arab. It’s the UK. lol…and it’s not the title that’s offensive, it’s the use of Muslim Prayer in song.
I think it’s fitting that Busta’s new album is titled Back On My Bullshit since that’s all his music has been for a while now. This nigga went from Donkey Kong to Corleone and expected nobody to question or even notice. Scust!
Sup guys? Anybody have Rahsaan Patterson’s Love In Stereo?
the song is sucks cause busta is singing about money. it is ignorant because he rapes a culture/religion for his own personal gain, that is sooo american. he is stereotyping himself and making himself look evil. common sucks too. thats real, not hate
this is’t that serious. if busta had made his explanation with an apology on the end of (i wasn’t trying to cause an offence but if i did i apologise & i will change the part of the song that offends), this all would’ve blown over in most circles pretty easily. in those statements you quoted i don’t see such an apology. Buss you silly, silly boy,
it is wrong, he should never had ued it in the 2st place. in the same way that others should not do the same against other religions. whether he meant it or not, the song mocked the religion & contra is correct, he should know better. all this does is cast a bad light over hip hop in general. more bad publicity that isn’t warranted.
Thanks a lot Sherm.
@ Sherm
Do you also have his self-titled album from 1997?
I never heard the song. Wow.
The name of it kinda threw me off.
Doesn’t he practice Islam?
Eli Porter>>>>>>>>T-Baby(Soulja GurlToldja itso Coldnda D)>>>>>>>>>iSoulja BoyTellem
All day, Everyday.
@ TC
Two of your faves
Black Atom _ Annakins prayer (http://www.badongo.com/files/12307448
Madvillian _ Butter King Jewels (http://www.zshare.net/audio/524724199a468d46)
“Have grace, have style, have faith, cuz I’m gone try you.”
“This beat will make you wanna stomp ya ten toes.”
Hip hop fans getting all pissed off about this is ridiculous. Not because it couldn’t offend – I understand why many devout Muslims and P.C seeking people would want to see this song banned – but because its no more offensive than the rampant misogyny, racism, violence, and drug glorification in hip hop. If hip hop fans are able to justify these evils that offend many outside of the genre’s normal listening audience, to not do the same for this song (however lame a party track of phoned-in verses it may be) is hypocritical and more than a little stupid.
Want to get all high and mighty about what should and shouldn’t be acceptable in music because it might ruffle a few feathers? Then be prepared to say goodbye to many of todays best and most popular artists. From its beginnings hip hop has tested the limits of appropriate content – be it Public Enemy or Too Live Crew. Sometimes this envelope-pushing tendency has been for strong, positive social messages (i.e. krs-one), and sometimes its been for little more than a bullshit club hit (i.e. this song). Either way, to take a stance of changing content to avoid potentially offending someone seems downright un-hip-hop.
^Sir, I never said anything about this song being banned. Nor did I say it be changed.
All I said is that we should be mature enough to accept when something is downright offensive and pointlessly so. Especially as fans who arent subscribed to the consequences of the track. Once you know the facts, to still go “nah, it’s pushing an envelope” is degrading the struggles of others.
What envelope is being pushed here? The literal translation is (hook included)”In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most merciful;. All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, We’re getting Arab Money. We’re getting arab money.”
Word?
I mean for real, I’m the first to stand up for anyone saying anything controversial with a purpose even Ludacris dumbness about Obama, but this? This is just random shots fired…for what?
When it’s purposeless it’s an insult. Sorry. If it had a greater goal…maybe, but to invoke words of prayer before singing about the root of evil is…well.. not the Hip-Hop i believe in. And my track record on TSS will show that I have supported some outlandish shit.
Not this though.
thats my point – if you have supported outlandish shit in the past, why not this? What makes this so different?I don’t think you gave any reasonable explanation for why this form of offense needs to be seen any differently than other pointlessly offensive content in other artists’ music. Is religion somehow more off-limits than a women being nothing but a sexual object; than violence advocated against innocent individuals or the glorification of the types of lawlessness that destroy communities? You need to explain why this is worse than those abuses which are heard on the majority of rap albums (often in the same careless bullshit manner as the use of islamic verse this song – no “shots taken” – ignorance at worst).
Im not arguing its not a stupid song – it is. But I don’t understand why you think it’s offensive in a way thats significantly worse than all the other offensive material in hip hop.
@ Contra
I completely agree. People are forgetting that this is a PRAYER and then “we gettin Arab money”. I can totally see how people of all types can be greatly offended by it. Why couldn’t words other than a prayer be chosen for the hook like, maybe uhh, something related to do with money (the theme of the song)
ignorance.
Charles Hamilton-The Pink Lavalamp
http://www.zshare.net/download/52464950afef3cc1/
i agree 100% with contra.
i am no christian but i thought it was offensive when biggie said, ‘Hail Mary full of grace, smack a bitch in the face..’
am i on my own?
Yes, you are on your own. In fact, your so on your own your just lonely. And things will probably remain that way for a while until YOU GET A FUCKING GRIP.
Yes, you are on your own. In fact, your so on your own your just lonely. And things will probably remain that way for a while until YOU GET A FUCKING GRIP.
On the real…. I had a feeling that there would be a backlash when I heard he was making a song called “Arab Money”. All of this fuss isn’t a surprise. However if dudes are losing their jobs because of this, Busta is gonna have to find some jobs for these cats or something. I’m just sayin’!
So about prayer being forbidden and all of that –
Doesn’t Lupe pray on one, maybe even both, of his retail albums?
And the Brother Ali song “dorian” ends in a prayer with his kid
Even though it’s not allowed?
And man, once the politically-correct doors open, the flood rushes in. Everything can be construed as offensive to someone, somewhere.
^That’ what I’m saying. So, people suck it up.
@andrew: Lupe recites verses. Actual full prayers, and then proceeds to perform Muhamad walks. He doesnt do it to a melody.
At the beginning of one of his songs he actually asks for forgiveness for what he’s about to say. and then the song begins….
@ arthur: I can only tackle one offense at a time. This one popped up, I spoke on it. I spoke on misogyny in the Plies post before this, and I’m pretty sure if you search, I’ve addressed a few other issues. Anything aimlessly reckless generally I dont get behind. Anything radically revolutionary, i side with.
This isnt the first time I’ve come through on some “Yo, this is BS, and y’all need to check yourselves” shit. lol ..im surprised people are acting like it is. smh…
Anyhow, I dont expect it to do much beyond generate good conversation. Everyone has a right to their beliefs.
smh at all you hypocritical bigots.. where was this outrage when busta was saying homophobic shit??
so is that whats popping now… only catchin’ feelings when you’re personally offended?
I find TC posting Souljah Boy’s album more offensive than the hook of Arab Money. lol
That being said, I don’t see why he doesn’t change the hook and move on. I don’t believe this is an attack on Islam or the Arab people; this is Busta just getting back to his goofy fun rhymes.
@ Bigga: 100% agreed.
which is the point im making. let’s save to controversy for Dead Prez or Kweli’s next album. On Busta’s, just accept foul, release a statement on some “Yeah, that was fucked up. I didnt know. My bad.” gist, switch the chorus to an actual arabic song about wealth (there’s tons of em) and keep moving.
It’s only a big deal coz everyone keeps going “It’s not a big deal” instead of just admitting the slip up like someone pointed out before.
He didnt mean it in a racist or demeaning way.
But it came off as such. and denying it doesnt change shit. It just exacerbates issues.
That’s all.
oo great, busta probably created another mumbai or 9/11 they’ll find any reason to cause mayhem
regarding the use of Allah in artistic intrepretations, Islam bans representation of God in artistic form in order to prevent idoltary (the worship of idols), which is particularly potent in Arabic culture as pre-islam spirtuality was often centered around dervish culture uses song and dance to induce spirtual mind states in the quest of peace and unity. In addition, it prevents people from worshipping the means instead of the end (see catholic worship of Jesus Christ’s crucifiction for the importance of preventing idoltary).
Despite all proper islamic art is dedicated to idea, glory and grace of Allah, and all islamic art starts with a dedication to ‘God is the Greatest’ (see Mos Def’s intro to ‘Black on Both Sides’). Therefore it is sometimes hard to dissect praise to god and artistic representation to god. However, this song is still highly ignorant, but at the same time kinda fun.
As for those making statements regarding the weak minded and superstitions. Please lift you own ignorance. Understand that all humans search for spirtuality, but some can only grasp deep theories in terms of simple parables or ‘superstitions’. Most organized religon is an attempt to bring the peace and spirtuality felt by high clerics to the masses, and should always be applauded and encouraged. Please retain your hate to oranizations that attempt to undermine the faith in true human spirtuality. Remeber that you have your own ‘superstitions’ (e.g. the lack of God, the importance of money and your own insignificant life), so just chill.
Argueing about religion is a waste of time. I thought most of you would of realized that shit by NOW!
^
” but some can only grasp deep theories in terms of simple parables or ’superstitions’”
Actually it’s the other way around….you’ll find that truly highly intelligent people….DON’T belong to any religion, it’s often the uneducated that can’t grasp the “deep” concepts of science, but rely on Religion for explanation of their world
on that note
WE GETTIN AYE-RAB MONEY! WE GETTIN AYE-RAB MONEY!
I think this is no more offensive than Dj Khaled droppin the N-word 30 times on every one of his songs.
This had me cracking up
__The literal translation is (hook included) ”In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most merciful;. All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, We’re getting Arab Money. We’re getting arab money.”__
SHEER IGNANCE!
This too
__i am no christian but i thought it was offensive when biggie said, ‘Hail Mary full of grace, smack a bitch in the face..’
am i on my own?__
contra is right, any1 else who disagrees is a bitch ass
co-sign 100%
shit…Freeway shouldn’t even be rapping…if his religion is Islamic….
this is kinda ignorant…I have a Middle Eastern friend I chill with…I have my music player on shuffle….
Arab Money pops up…so I pause….and I ask myself what he thinks…..
safe to say…I almost got my ass kicked after that listen…haha.
when i’m hungover tryin to get to my 8am class and i got some rent-a-pastor screamin at me in the quad to ‘find jesus’ – that’s when i’ll be bumpin “arab money” the hardest.
if freedom of speech protects people shoving their religion down my throat then it should also protect me takin a shit on theirs.
also that biggie verse is one of his best, hail mary’s and all.
^ jap er if she act…funny with the money oh you got me mistaken honey