Challah atcha boi and spin the Dr. Dreidel! It’s almost Hanukkah (it starts this Saturday night), and this year you can light your Menorah while listening in on the best Jewish rappers in the game! Here is the RapCities FlipSide Top 10:
#10 — Asher Roth
Finally, the great Asher Roth. Yeah, Ghostface Killah may or may not have compared him to Ellen DeGeneres, but he’s not the same person at all! Here’s his oft-mentioned single, ‘I Love College.’
#9 — Matisyahu
His name is Hebrew for “Gift of God,” and this Hasidic Jew has been making music that is somewhere between rap, reggae, rock, and beat-boxing since 2000. His single, ‘King Without a Crown,’ (above) made the US top 40 when it was released in 2005.
#8 — Shyne
Shyne (AKA Moses Levi) has made the hip-hop news cycle lately for starting a number of beefs (Rick Ross, Drake, the Game, 50 Cent…). He was also involved in a 1999 shooting at a NYC night club while he and his girlfriend were out with Diddy and his affiliated female. After nine years of incarceration for the shooting, he was released and deported to Israel. He now lives in Belize. Shyne was known as Diddy’s protégé, and they have reconciled since the shooting. Combined, the two artists have more names and more beefs than a room full of menorahs has candles.
#7 — MC Serch
Golden Age rapper and producer MC Serch pops up on a lot of top 10’s. While not everyone knows the guy, this Queens native was a member of hip-hop group 3rd Bass. One of his most important contributions to hip-hop was as executive producer of Nas’ all-time great album “Illmatic.” Here are the visuals to 3rd Bass hit ‘Back to the Grill.’
#6 — Mac Miller
Mac Miller is well-known in frat houses across the country. While he may not be the most technically skilled rapper in the game, the dude knows how to make catchy music, and has recently been experimenting with jazz. Here’s a video of him discussing his faith with Forbes.
#5 — A-Trak
Alright, you’ve probably never heard of the guy, and no, he isn’t a rapper. The thing is, he has to be in the top five. Having grown up in Montreal, A-Trak is the first DJ to win all three top DJ challenges in the world (winning the DMC at the age of 15). He’s worked with Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, CyHi the Prince, and many more. Find above one of his most famous productions, the beat for ‘Gold Digger’ by Kanye West and featuring Jamie Foxx.
#4 — The Beastie Boys
You might expect the Beastie Boys to shoot straight to the top of the list, but we thought we’d move them down for a couple reasons: one, highlight some new talent that needs the love, and two, although they all started Jewish, one of the three Boys converted to Buddhism. Mike D and Ad-Rock are still Jewish, but before his death this year, MCA had converted to Buddhism. R.I.P. MCA.
#3 — Hoodie Allen
Stealing his moniker from famous Jewish director Woody Allen may make him more of a giveaway, so yes, Steven Markowitz was raised Jewish on Long Island. The dude makes great music – here are the visuals to his single ‘No Interruption.’
#2 — Rick Ross
No, he’s not actually Jewish, but check out the cover of his new mixtape, “The Black Bar Mitzvah.” Rozay has been making music like crazy lately; peep this joint from the Bar Mitzvah tape: ‘Us ft. Drake & Lil’ Reese.’
#1 — Drake
Yes, the singer/rapper sits at the apex of our top ten. This isn’t only because of his commercial success, but also because he wins the ‘best hip-hop celebration of Judaism’ award: he made his Bar Mitzvah into a music video. The Canadian already had one when he first became a man (at age 13) according to Jewish tradition, but he decided to reaffirm his Jewish roots with another Bar Mitzvah-turned-music video for his hit single ‘HYFR.’
Dog, you can never start a list with Asher Roth. Ruins credibility for the rest of Jewish homeboys. No MCA / Beastie Boys love?
Ha, missed the Beastie Boys bit. Gotta represent my bretheren
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