"Arab Money" | ||||
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Single by Busta Rhymes featuring Ron Browz | ||||
from the album Back on My B.S. | ||||
Released | October 14, 2008 | |||
Format | Digital Download | |||
Recorded | 2008 | |||
Genre | Hip hop, hip house | |||
Length | 2:47 | |||
Label | Flipmode, Universal Motown | |||
Songwriter(s) | Trevor Smith, Jr., Rondell Turner | |||
Producer(s) | Busta Rhymes, Ron Browz | |||
Busta Rhymes singles chronology | ||||
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Ron Browz singles chronology | ||||
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"Arab Money" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Busta Rhymes, released as the lead single from his eighth studio album Back on My B.S. (2009). The song features production and vocals by fellow New York City-based rapper, Ron Browz. It discusses the almost limitless stocks of wealth in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai. It also particularly pays homage to Yasser Arafat and Prince Alwaleed.
Arab Money ignited controversy, particularly from Islamic communities. The released remix came with even stronger negative reaction, as it quotes lines from the Quran, which (in such a form) is deemed forbidden in most Arab countries. DJ Steve Sutherland of Galaxy FM was suspended temporarily when he played the song and listeners complained. In response, Busta said:
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. If you listen to the song, you see that we are actually acknowledging the fact that the Arabian culture, a Middle East culture is one of the few cultures, that value passing down hard work riches that's been built amongst the family. It would be nice if a lot of other cultures did the same thing. Feel me? So, I would like for it to be like that in my culture where we could build things to the point where we got so much that we don't need to rely on other cultures to contribute majorly in a financial way, or in whatever other way, to societies, communities or whatever governments we might live in. So, we are actually biggin' up the culture. At the end of the day, I want to be like that. I think a lot of us want to be like that.
The music video debuted on BET's 106 & Park on December 2, 2008. It is directed by Rik Cordero. It features cameos from Rick Ross, Mr. Bangladesh, Spliff Star, DJ Drama, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, DJ Khaled, Akon, Gorilla Zoe, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, N.O.R.E., Lil Wayne, Kardinal Offishall, Ace Hood, Shawty Lo, Paul Wall, E-40, Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Wiz Khalifa, Mack Maine, Tyga, Triple C's, Will Smith and many others.