Response to "Arab Money"

Great men do great things. As a result of a stand made by an Iraqi MC, the arab community received an explanation and somewhat of an apology for the song "Arab Money" made by veteran hip hop artist Busta Rhymes. This is a great example of how two knowledgable individuals can discuss the intent behind their artwork and settle any misunderstandings that result. It is true that a mere phonecall can provide clarity and closure from any offence that is the product of miscommunication, because we all know that artists cannot necessarily accompany a paragraph to explain the thought process put in to making each of their songs. Some can spark controversy, and others can bridge gaps by paying homage to an adjacent culture in our multi-cultural intermixed societies. Enjoy the read.

-Husam.

Busta Rhymes Apologizes for song "Arab Money".
-allhiphop.com
Dec 09, 2008:-

Only hours after expressing his outrage over Busta Rhymes' controversial song "Arab Money," Iraqi-born rapper The Narcicyst told AllHipHop.com that he received a personal phone call from Busta himself last night (December 8), apologizing for the misunderstanding created by the song.

According to Narcicyst, the two rappers spent nearly half an hour on the phone discussing Busta's original intent in making the song, which the veteran rapper says was meant to pay homage to Arab culture.

The Narcicyst, whose family fled Iraq years ago after they were displaced by the political turmoil said he came to understand that there may have been a bigger culprit in Busta's lyrical misstep.

"It was a thorough explanation and he was a very respectful man," the Narcicyst told AllHipHop.com. "He explained to me his experience as an African-American man in the States and [it] seemed to me as an experience that I can correlate as an Arab being in the Middle East and having been displaced from my nation and seeing my country being bombarded in the media, being misrepresented."

According to Narcicyst, Rhymes revealed that he didn't purposely disrespect Arab culture and that representing it "in a positive light" was important to his fellow rapper.

"He also acknowledged that it was definitely something that spun out of control," Narcicyst continued. "You know, when you put out a song, you can't really put out an essay on why you put out the song. And it's always hard to explain to the masses."

While some YouTube posts of the song and/or video have already been removed from the popular website, there is no word on when or if the controversial song will be officially removed from rotation.

The song is already banned in the U.K., where award winning DJ Steve Sutherland was temporarily suspended by Galaxy FM, for playing the song.

As a result of Busta's apology and The Narcicyst has also agreed to pull his response to the song, a track titled "The Real Arab Money."

"This is an example of how two people can come together and create something bigger than them," The Narcicyst concluded. "I'm a strong believer in truth and breaking stereotypes down and not allowing people to box you in. And this whole experience has been a huge eye opener for me. This is what Hip-Hop is about. Two brothers from another mother can come to a peaceful and just conclusion for all sides."

Source: http://community.allhiphop.com/go/thread/view/12461/5202248/Busta_apologizes_for_Arab_Money_Misunderstanding