The UAE received another hip-hop salute last week, on one of the year's most high-profile rap albums, Dr Dre's Compton: A Soundtrack.
In the banging track Loose Cannons, guest rapper – and frequent UAE visitor – Xzibit salutes the country for providing him with some great memories: "Spent my birthday in Dubai/ Skyrise surprise and I'm dressed like a spy."
Xzibit joins a growing list of leading urban artists – including Ludacris, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo and Pitbull – who have highlighted the growth and glamour of the UAE.
Specific mentions range from a reference to the country’s founder, Sheikh Zayed, to name-dropping Abu Dhabi and Dubai (and, yes, even Sharjah), along with mentions of the country’s roads and iconic buildings.
Why all the love? Perhaps it is down to the country being a gold mine when it comes to gigging opportunities.
Or maybe it is down to something deeper: the UAE’s rapid growth from desert landscape to booming metropolis may resonate with artists who, in many cases, experienced similar rags-to-riches journeys.
Here are few examples. Note, however, that this is only the stuff that’s fit to print in a family newspaper. You will also find the UAE mentioned in equally celebratory – but far more colourful – language (I am looking at you Chris Brown and Tyga).
sasaeed@thenational.ae
Quiet Storm freestyle (2015)
Fabolous
“Now we out in Abu Dhabi in Saudi Air/Then they let me Ricky Bobby the Audi yeah/On some Furious 7, rest in peace Paul Walker I hope you hear this in heaven.”
Numbers on the Board freestyle (2014)
Ludacris
“For real, my Ferrari is Abu-Dhabi blue/Luda’s moved more crowds than a tsunami blew.”
Young Abu Dhabi (2014)
Chinx
“I just won a trip to Dubai/They call me Young Abu Dhabi.”
Hold You Down (2014)
DJ Khaled
“We go to Abu Dhabi for a hobby/ Your body’s my new Bugatti.”
The Go Go (2013)
Wyclef Jean
“Back from Abu Dhabi/First thing I did was got all hands on deck, a deal for a couple mill.”
Ready (2013)
B O B
“We’re somewhere in Abu Dhabi With Arabians G5’ing and with my posse/It’s outrageous”
Party – Remix (2011)
Beyoncé featuring J Cole
“We out in Abu Dhabi, we like to party/We don’t cause trouble, we just ride Bugatti.”
Living Better (2010)
Jamie Foxx featuring Rick Ross
“I got houses, hobbies, homes in Abu Dhabi/Never go wrong GPS, my Ferrari.”
Shining (2015)
DJ Bliss featuring Mims
“These corny rappers better take my lead/Whole fleet of new convertibles off Sheik Zayeed/Illuminati want my mind, soul and my body/ I’m in Dubai so much, you swear I was an Emirati/That’s why I move like a sheikh.”
Make It Easy (2015)
Ne-Yo
“Why I send her and her girls to Dubai for about a week/Just a little reward for when she hold me down.”
Serial Killa (2015)
Lloyd Banks
“Flew to Dubai 22 times/Ain’t took a pic once.”
Lay it Down (2013)
Lil Wayne featuring Nicki Minaj
“Just left from Dubai/Flew private eye/I made a million dollars, swear to God that ain’t no lie.”
Sorry (2012)
T I
“I parley with Saudis, buying crude oil and diamonds/Hustle January to July, fly to Dubai.”
Give Me Everything (2011)
Pitbull
“Cause tomorrow I’m off to Dubai to perform for a princess/But tonight, I can make you my queen.”
ATF Radio Freestyle (2010)
Drake
“New guy, too fly/Who buy seven cars/Dubai, seven stars.”
Pleiadian Medicine (2014)
Jaden Smith
“I grabs my phone and call my father/He was up in Dubai then drove to Sharjah/And grabbed a car charger.”
