“As soon as we started shooting we heard the call to prayer and it felt good because everything I’m talking about in the song is personal and emotional to me.” About filming the video in Dubai, French Montana stated the following. French Montana also paid homage to Dubai in his video “Wave Gods Intro,” according to Billboard. Recently, Pitchfork stated on April 27 that Lil Wayne joined DJ Khaled when he opened for Beyonce in Miami.įrench Montana has also visited Dubai on March 10 for a performance, according to Daily Avenue. Lil Wayne is also heavily connected to other prominent Muslims that are from the Middle East or Asian world such as DJ Khaled, French Montana, and Zayn Malik.įor instance, DJ Khaled first started hanging out with Lil Wayne when Lil Wayne was 12-years-old, according to Miami New Times. Prince Mansoor of Dubai (pictured on the far right wearing traditional Arab clothing) hosted Cash Money Records artist Drake when he performed in the United Arab Emirates. When Lil Wayne’s protege, Drake, went to Dubai in 2015, he was personally escorted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum’s son, Crown Prince Mansoor, according to Hip Hop Vibe. For example, the other Cash Money artists that have visited Dubai over the past year include Nicki Minaj, according to Gulf News. It could also be said that there is a strong Cash Money Records connection to Dubai and Lil Wayne was one of the last of its artists to visit. Lil Wayne’s 2008 song “A Milli” also gives a shout out to Allah.
In the 2010 remix of the song “Arab Money” featuring Lil Wayne, there are also two other Muslims on the track such as Akon and Busta Rhymes. For example, there is also old music from Lil Wayne that includes Muslim rappers and/or talks about Middle Easterners or Allah. Nevertheless, it is not only 2 Chainz incorporating Muslim or Middle Eastern themes in their music. Hot New Hip Hop stated that by wearing the traditional men’s clothing of the Middle Eastern world that 2 Chainz looked “as if he’s ’bout to drop racks in Dubai.” Hot New Hip Hop writes on May 6 that they had frames from upcoming, new videos from Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz that have specific Middle Eastern depictions.įor instance, in the photo samples for their songs “Gotta Lotta” and “MFN Right” 2 Chainz was wearing the long white Middle-Eastern-style kaftan/robe for men (often called a “thobe”) and the Middle Eastern men’s white ghutrah/keffiyeh headscarf. On top of this, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz will have more Muslim or Middle Eastern imagery coming up. They are not all terrorist that hate America.” “Muslim Americans live their day to day life just like all other Americans. Other features in the 2 Chainz video includes images of a Muslim family, 2 Chainz imitating the bowing pose of the Muslim prayer (called the “salah”), and ending the video with the following words. They also state that 2 Chainz was wearing a traditional style of clothing found in the Persian Gulf called the keffiyeh (a male’s headscarf often called the “ghutrah” in Dubai) with the eqal/agal (the band holding the headscarf in place). About 2 Chainz’ new video, Arab American News writes that 2 Chainz “takes a stand with Muslim Americans” in his newest video called “100 Joints.” They go on to say that the theme of the video was 2 Chainz’ “response to people like Donald Trump who accuse Muslims of being a threat to the country.” In fact, Lil Wayne’s January performance in Dubai won him the 2016 “Best Club Performance” trophy for the Time Out Dubai Music and Nightlife Awards in late March.ĭespite this, in America, it is 2 Chainz that is currently being singled out for his focus on Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent. Recently, Arab American News highlighted that 2 Chainz released a “bold video defending Muslims.” However, this should be no surprise considering 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne have spent time in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2016, and are friends with a number of Muslim musicians that are not from the Middle East. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz have become a dynamic duo over 2016, but is there a specific reason they are suddenly defending Muslims and placing a focus on the kind of Middle Eastern culture found in Dubai, United Arab Emirates? Are Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz slowly revealing that they are secret Muslims, or do they simply have a history of stepping up as role models to give solidarity to their friends in Muslim communities around the world?
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