I Keep My Money Where the Jews Be

I received the following letter from a Jewish fan on Myspace and wanted to share his concern about one of my lines from “Exodus 5.1” from “The Manual.” First you’ll see his letter, and then my response. Let me know your thoughts. ‘Fest-

I wanted to let you know that I’m a big fan of “The Manual.” I really enjoy the mixtape, and have been listening to your music for a minute now.
However, I had an issue with one of your songs off of the above mixtape. When I first heard “Exodus 5.1,” I loved it. I thought it was a track with very poignant subject matter, an INSANE beat…everything that you’d want in a dope Hip-Hop song.
However, I had an issue with this line: “I keep my tool right where the jewels be/and keep my money right where the Jews be.”
I just wanted to get clarification about that line. I don’t want to assume anything about it, but as a Jewish person, I was wondering what your intent was with it. You’re an intelligent person–that’s obvious from both your music and your interviews. I know that you didn’t intend to offend anyone with that line. However, I was offended by it. It’s not necessarily the line itself, but the stereotype implicit within it.

I wanted to start an open dialogue with you in order to get this issue cleared, as it’s been troubling me for quite some time now. If you get a chance, can you respond? I’d like to get your perspective on the lyric.

PEACE

Def

MY RESPONSE:

First of all, I’d like to thank you for being a fan, which for artists like me, can be very hard to come by these days. I also appreciate your interest in lyrical content when it comes to hip hop. To answer your question about the line in Exodus 5.1, I’d first like to say that many of my closest friends are Jewish. Mark Ronson and Scram Jones who produced the entire Manual mixtape just to name two. Also, a few months ago, I just left Israel where I was visiting Tel Aviv and East Jerusalem which is considered the Palestinian territory. So, my interest in Jewish Culture and Issues is more informed than many people may know.

The history between blacks and Jews in America, is very extensive and complex. Did you know that Jewish people helped fund the founding of the NAACP, as well as the SCLC (Dr. King’s organization)? However, we’ve also had an antagonistic relationship, that needs to be discussed as well. Now the line in Exodus 5.1, was simply truth according to my experience. I am signed to Allido records, which is owned by a Jewish person (Mark Ronson). As well as J. Records, which is owned by a Jewish person (Clive Davis). So my checks have been written by Jewish people. By the way, my lawyer is also Jewish. So to me, that line represents my reality, not a stereotype.

I wouldn’t consider it offensive if someone said, “I keep my money where the blacks be,” in fact, I hope that will be a reality one day. To be intelligent, business minded, and viewed as such by the world, is not racist or offensive, it’s a compliment. One that I wish my people could have bestowed upon us instead of lazy, shiftless, sex-crazed and criminal. Let me know your thoughts.

El Che

ASK RHYMEFEST: The Blog Entry for next week, will feature a series of questions that I will answer. You have until Monday, April 20, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to send your question to rhymefestassistant@gmail.com. Your question can be about anything.