DJ Khaled, sporting a Terror Squad piece over "Allah" bling, on his former moniker and the Arab American dream: "I want to own gas stations, cornerstores...I want to do it all"
If I were to do an anthropologically-inspired power point presentation for this interview, here would be some key points I would devote slides to:
1. "The best" as a discursive tradition: Drawing from the communal spirit of Arab culture, "the best" is a shared cultural practice, one for "we" and not just "I."
A. Defining "the best":
"Why did you go with "we the best."B. Greetings, discursive affirmations, and conversational closers:
"Cause we the best...if you don't want to be part of the best, you aren't the best."
The hip hop, southern-inspired version of a "Ma Salaama" or an "Araf-tee Keif" or "know what I'm saying?" or "word", a discursive affirmation or conversational closer, seems to be "we are the best."
2. Memory in the Diaspora: Arab American second generation youth haven't forgotten about their history and roots: gas stations and cornerstores.
3. Pseudonyms and Identity Construction: Is DJ Khaled's rejection of the moniker "Arab Attack" an act of assimilation or one culturally resisting Arab stereotypes, and therefore taking ownership over self-determining identity?
9 comments:
While I enjoy the tracks he remixes, he's an idiot. This video confirms it. He's a fool, and certainly doesn't represent the Arab-American community. Thank you Maytha for another *ahem* wonderful post. You continue to astound me with the level of stupidity your posts exude.
DJ Khaled is the best!
DJ Khaled's rejection of the nickname "Arab Attack" is a business move as was his initial acquisition of the nickname. He's a member of the Puerto Rican rap crew, "Terror Squad". He took on the nickname "Arab Attack" as a gimic. After 9/11 using such a name would be bad for business and so he dropped it.
We the best! DJ Khaled keep doing your thing!
ha-I understand the political posturing of his moniker choice. I simply said what I said to mock anthropologists and their bullshit pontifical theorizing that always seems to study objects outside of themselves.
Oops my bad sister! Either way, I love DJ Khaled. If only he would throw me on a track with him.
no worries-Im all about supporting the Ay-rabs in the rap game...especially the non-undercover arab sort-which I will give DJ Khaled props for doing.
I love lightweight cultural theory!
This guy seems like a bumbling moron. He's the top Arab rapper/dj in the game today?
Anon 9:05pm,
The fact that you ask that question, means you should not be talking about him or his relevance in the "game".
damn.
He's on one.
Was is that? that's crazy stoned.
Is that pot and e? Or that just pot? He's too fat to be doing speed so that ain't it. llello?
He stopped to read a text message in the middle of an interview. then he walked away while she was still saying bye and shit.
But we still the best.
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