Original Jewish Gangstas

You won't fall asleep during hip-hop adaptations of traditional songs such as Bim Bam, Lecha Dodi, and Shalom Aleichem. The Original Jewish Gangstas as they make beats, rhymes, and records brand new lyrics, using Pro-Tools, condensor mics, pre-amplifiers, and their own lyrical creativity to combine the wisdom of Judaism with the bump of hip-hop. If you are interested in making hip-hop history, then come flow with the OJG, as they reproduce traditional Jewish melodies live, either as part of an interactive service or concert perofrmance.
Hear the Music: Bim Bomb
Booking and performance inquiries: hebehop@j-arts.org

Kosha Dillz

Kosha Dillz is a 24 year old hip hop MC whose story reads like a scene from 8 Mile by Eminem. Dillz has quickly become one of the hottest names in hip hop. As of November 2005, his 12” release, Chainsaw Music, was #13 on the Rap Network charts. What’s more interesting, this MC has studied at the Lakewood Yeshiva, belongs to a Maimonides study group and references his Jewish heritage throughout his music. Kosha Dillz came to explore his Judaism in the midst of a life of turmoil on the streets. He came full circle thanks to the two most important influences in his life; his heritage and his hip hop. Now, he melds them seemlessly, not for the sake of culture, but because they are seemless in his identity: his hop hop is his story, his essence and the way he expresses himself. And his story is quintissentially hip-hop and Jewish. Born Rami Even-Esh to Israeli parents, Kosha Dillza grew up hearing hip hop pioneers; it was a troubled adolescence of substance abuse, rehab and even incarceration. Rami was determined to right his path, vowing not to break the law again. In his teshuvah, he sought spiritual and moral guidance from the Jewish tradition of his birth. At the same time, Rami began to put thoughts about his struggle to paper as rhymes. His writing led to to enrollment at Rutgers University as an English major, and it found a life onstage, where Rami took on the name Kosha Dillz. Previously irreligious, the MC's hardships made him appreciate his roots and heritage, and as he laid his rhymes to beats, they effortlessly flowed from his roots:

“I’m a made man through the blood of Abraham
After Moses gave us freedom from Arabian sand
Don’t question who you are, I never question who I am-
Its the craziest plan to get back to the promised land.”

Kosha Dillz has appeared onstage with rap luminaries Subliminal, Platinum 112, Matisyahu, Yakk Ballz and is the winner of several East Coast freestyle rap battles and hip hop competitions.
Kosha Dillz sample mp3: Promised Land
Booking and performance inquiries: hebehop@j-arts.org

Human BeatBox Yuri Lane

Yuri Lane is a one man sound machine technique takes the audience on a hip hop journey through the lives of Amir and Khalid using only his mouth and a microphone. Amir is an Israeli dj and delivery boy from Tel Aviv. Khalid is an internet café ower from Ramallah. Their lives intertwine when they meet at a checkpoint in this modern retellingof Jacob and Esau. Set against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Israel, Lane’s piece asks for peace, understanding and coexistence in a unique beatbox style that has captivated thousands in New York, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles and now in Chicago. Yuri also teaches biblio-drama, beatbox lessons and shows for young audiences on Jewish themes. An engaging entertainer for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Hear the music: Ladies and Gentlemen
Booking and performance inquiries: hebehop@j-arts.org

Hip Hop Hoodios

Hip Hop Hoodios The band's name is a play on "hood" and "Judios" and that's as good an explanation of where they're coming from, and of the Latin-Jewish sounds herein contained, as you'll get. Drawing on their dual Latino-Jewish heritage, Hip Hop Hoodios combine the vitality of Latin alternative music with American-Jewish culture for fun-filled, trilingual mayhem. Los Hoodios' name is derived from a twist on the Spanish word for Jew, or Judio. Led by Josue Noriega, the four band members have roots in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Mexico as well as Jewish culture. Using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, they meld Hebrew with merengue and layer Jewish-themed rhymes atop salsa rhythms to create tracks like "Havana Nagila" off their CD's, Raza Hoodia and Agua 'pa la Gente.

Hear the music: Havana Nagila
Booking and performance inquiries: hebehop@j-arts.org

Beyond Eden

BeyondEDEN plays an infectious unique fusion of musical styles, incorporating rock, reggae, hip-hop, and disco with traditional Jewish content. Songs are both in Hebrew and English. The band's live shows are high-energy and intense, with a pulsating groove, designed to keep audiences on their feet and dancing. BeyondEDEN cites its influences as Shlomo Carlebach, Dave Matthews Band and Stevie Wonder.
Hear the music: Three Steps Back
Booking and performance inquiries: hebehop@j-arts.org