lol

A good point, and one we considered, since Birthplace Mag intends to focus strictly on NY-area talent. However, we do streeeetch it a bit when it comes to having a strong NY presence, and a member of a group is NY-based, which Tanya Morgan has. We like Von Pea too, but thought that as a collective, TM has a better shot at getting next. I don't think it's a case of not doing homework, but a case of bending the rules a bit for a group that, admittedly, is not the typical group.

Touche, but the debate over the lyrics of this song is a debate unto itself.

Enough people found malice to warrant speaking on it. And being of Arab decent or of Muslim faith, does not automatically mean that what you are doing is going to be universally accepted by other Arabs or Muslims. Plenty of African-American people disapprove of the "N" word, and do not feel that the other African-Americans use it, dictate its acceptance. Based on some of the comments and aftermath, it appears as if Busta and those associated realize that some people had valid complaints. I don't expect hip-hop to be politically correct etc., but part of what Birthplace Magazine is trying to do, is to call attention to a rebirth of hip-hop where ignorance and vapid content will hopefully be the exception, and no longer the rule, so when a song comes along like this, from a NY artist, we will hopefully spark a similar debate every time.

Nice. Unless I am reading it wrong, Q-Tip basically agrees with me!

http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/news/2008/nov/13/four-...

Ditto. Really good read.

@DCT I thought the same thing when writing that, "Hmm this sounds... almost normal!" lol

@Jerm Yet when we do, or anyone does, there is a lot of "Oh please, hip-hop boys will be boys" countering..

@GangstarrGirl Right. It isn't that it is blatantly racist. It's just that.. Well. There's more to being Arab, than what you see on Discovery Channel: Dubai. And it's a little bit embarrassing that Busta, a veteran (and damn talented one if you ask me) perpetuates the fact that "hey, us hip-hoppers, who always get pissed when people stereotype us... well, we can do it too! If you don't like it, tell your security to get off their camels and get me!"

@Dominant Humor is different. This was supposed to pay homage, Buss said it himself. Which means he didn't think he was being offensive, or at the very least, slightly insensitive. Which is worse than if he was doing a straight parody that we could shrug off.

@SaySay Right. Ay-rab, at least to my knowledge, was known to be a lil' derogatory. Not a LOT derogatory. But a little. And the re-pronounciation on the remix, kinda sorta says to me, yea, they realized it after the fact, and changed it.... OK. Cool. So then SAY THAT. I don't believe anyone did.

@Anthony Taurus Was my "ignorant stereotype" the complete opposite of Busta's song? Do the police in Arabic countries, ride camels? Really? Do the majority of Arabs/African-Americans have "oil well money/selling crack money"? Is it really OK to name drop the late Arafat/Biggie, like you knew him? Is Iraq for instance, the Arab country Busta mentions, the one where our young soldiers are dying and getting maimed, and their society is a chaotic mess searching for a resolution, really a desert paradise, one that he visits? Is Iran, an Arabic country Busta mentions, or Afghanistan, places where women walk by, scantily clad as in the video? Look, I'm not trying to be overly conservative here, I'm not my grandpa or whatever, but to say that the song didn't contain ignorant stereotypes...

@Duce Right. I guess.

@Othello Thanks. And yes, entertainment trumps responsibility. I agree actually. I honestly could care less. The fact is, the song itself (and I judge it as a former DJ and producer) is just not that good, and certainly not Busta's best. So for entertainment value, I don't like it. Am I "insulted" by the content? Not really, but I am not easily insulted, nor am I Muslim or an Arab. Since many of them are a little put off, then I have to assume there is something there to offend, and sometimes, entertainment can go too far. Is this one case? I don't think so, not in historical terms. But I am glad you agree it doesn't mean people shouldn't talk about it.

@djlopro Fine. You win. :-P

@MzVirgo Nice to see you here!! And you are right. Money should be ethnicity-less lol. Again, I don't think Busta *meant* harm, but some harm could have been done, and at the very least, there is one more song in my "Ain't Really Saying Nothing" column, than in my "Saying Something" column, and that is never a good thing.

@silent Thank you for checking in from overseas and for your perspective! I think it was more the pronounciation than the word itself. Believe it or not, many feel there is a difference between pronouncing it "Ay-rab" and pronouncing it "Ahrab". An analogy might be when Spanish people use "negro" when speaking of a black person. In Spanish, depending on the dialect, what country or community you are in, etc., "negro" could mean "black person", in a friendly way. However, add a different tone or a negative descriptive adjective, and "negro" is not so friendly anymore. Something like that. Perhaps it is an educational/cultural divide. My friends, say "ay-rab". My dad, says "arab". Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe? Maybe. Some don't think so.

@Priest I can only agree 1000% with everything you said. Unfortunately.