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.”
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus
To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.
The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.
SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.
But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
INDIA SQUADS
India squad for third Test against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar
India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
