As a new Mitzpeh staff forms, we wanted to incorporate our interests within the publication. A big passion we share is music, whether as avid listeners or dedicated singers. In our first music-related piece, we found some of the best rap songs that sample Jewish music, integrating our love for music and our Jewish culture. From new rappers like JID to old-school classics like 2pac, Jewish music has influenced rap music, and vice versa.
Dance Now – JID – Samples Yoel’s Niggun by Zusha
JID samples “Yoel’s Niggun” as the second single off his album “The Forever Story”, released in 2022. Zusha’s Shlomo Gaisin, Zachary Goldschmiedt and Elisha Mlotek are credited as songwriters on the track. JID is part of the musical collectives Spillage Village, Dreamville and Zoink Gang and has released several successful independent albums.
Hummus – Samiyam feat. the Alchemist – Samples Erev Shabbat (1975) by Hanan Yovel
The Alchemist is one of the most influential and prominent producers. He’s produced for the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar. The Alchemist incorporates Judaism into many of his songs and has an album called “Israeli Salad”, which samples several Hebrew songs and incorporates Israeli cultural references. “Za’atar Smoke” is a personal favorite of the Mitzpeh staff’s.
Troublesome ‘96 – 2pac – Samples HaTikvah
Tupac Shakur is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. As a teenager, he moved in with Leila Steinberg (source), the Jewish coordinator of a poetry workshop in Oakland who became his first manager and mentor. Shakur rapped about urban and social issues and was tragically killed in 1996.
Medusa – Willie the Kid, feat. Action Bronson – Samples אין מדינה לאהבה (Love Has No Country) (1972)
Action Bronson is a Jewish rapper, as well as chef, wrestler, boxer and television producer (source). Bronson does many collaborative works and is good friends with Jewish rapper/producer The Alchemist. Willie the Kid is a rapper from Michigan. He has an extensive discography with 15 albums, 12 EPs and seven mixtapes.
Come Down – Anderson .Paak – Samples HaTikvah
“Come Down” came out in 2016 on Paak’s sophomore album “Malibu”, produced by Hi-Tek. “Hatikvah” is sampled in Yiddish rather than Hebrew. “Come Down” was featured in a Kevin Durant Nike commercial after the song was released (source). Paak is also a part of the musical duo Silk Sonic alongside Jewish artist Bruno Mars, as well as NxWorries, a duo with rapper Knxwledge.
