Swizz Beatz has made history, as he recently became the first African American to own a camel-racing team in the Middle East.
According to Variety, Swizz has founded the camel-racing team Kaseem Abu Nasser in the Middle East after partaking in the new venture for a few years. He’s reportedly the first African American and Westerner to do so.
“I had it in my mind for so long. My friends out there have teams, friends’ parents’ families in Dubai have teams,” the super producer and businessman told the outlet. “That’s how I had access to knowing what to look for, how to pick your fleet, understand the bloodline, find the best trainers. I did extensive research and was there for a month straight doing it. I had the heads-up for a while but didn’t push the button until COVID. It sounded big, amazing and a lot of work, but I just wanted to do it. It feels like it came fast, but it was a long process.”
Since Kaseem Abu Nasser’s inception, the 12-camel team has accumulated several victories, including its first race in October. That month, its first camel, Nicole, came in first place at the Saudi Camel Federation Cup competition. Nicole was reportedly named after his 14-year-old daughter with singer Jahna Sebastian.
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“To win your first race–your only race so far–in racing’s home is crazy. We were in eighth place for a long time after the race first started,” Swizz told Variety. “Then Nicole just went for it. What are the odds? Forget about me being from America, a westerner. No Saudi team ever won their first race…There’s a family element to the whole venture. My camels’ trainer he’s treating my camels like he would another family member. He kisses the camels on the mouth. That’s real love.”
Kaseem Abu Nasser also competed in the Crown Prince Camel Festival and King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where he earned silver and bronze.
“We showed up and made history,” a post on the team’s official Instagram page indicated.
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Swizz has been working hard at his new venture, being a dad, and working on his hit music battle series Verzuz alongside legendary super producer Timbaland.
