Arab Money by Busta Rhymes

Album: Back on my B.S. (2008)

Charted: 86

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This was produced by Ron Browz, who also features on the song's chorus. Busta Rhymes explained to MTV News that he originally got the track with just the beat and the hook. When he first heard the producer's contribution during VMA weekend, he was puzzled. The rapper explained: "I didn't really know what he was saying. I called him on the phone. We were going shopping for the awards. I was riding around, and we were playing the beat over. I wanted to know what he was saying. [Ron] picked up the phone, and I was like, 'What are you saying on this joint?' I thought it was saying 'Maybach Money.' 'Maybach' or 'Arab' - it kinda rhymed. I needed confirmation."
Browz explained to Busta that he was, in fact, saying "Arab." The rapper told MTV News: "I was like, 'This is genius.' Just the timing of this. The fact that the recession was crazy. Fortune 500 companies left and right are needing bailouts. I was like, 'You ain't hearing none of that going on with none of the people in the Arab community or Arab culture. None of that.' I was like, 'You know something? This is a great record to inspire people to incorporate wealth in their vocabulary, because rich has become the new broke.' 'Arab Money' - it felt right. Let's take something from a culture that has exemplified the rich qualities of spirituality and economic and financial stability for thousands of years. They've instilled that in their kids for thousands of years."
The song caused offense to many who heard it, especially those of the Muslim faith, who complained that it poked fun at Arabs and was racist. Busta Rhymes responded to MTV News: "It didn't hurt me, because I leave room for error, and I understand what happens in misunderstanding. It would have hurt me if people would have understood clearly the agenda of the record and still hated on it. That would have been a little different. But I feel a lot of people who had issues with it, they just misunderstood. Even those people, I hope they got a chance to see or get a chance to see what my real intent was and still is - that they got a different level of appreciation."

Comments: 1

Dwynn from Norway, Mitheres no way you cant like this song as soon as i heard it i had to hear it again so i got out of my seat and started dancing keep it real and all out produce what you think you should .

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