► SHI 360 | Israeli / Pop / Hip Hop / World (ISRAELI)
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | SPEAKER PRESS KIT Jewish Israeli recording artist and producer, SHI 360 relentlessly continues to create timeless, genre- defining music shedding light on relevant social and political topics. Setting the stage early-on in North America before his return back to Israel, SHI 360 became one of Israel’s first Israeli emcee’s. After overcoming four intense heart operations and struggling to make a life during his return to his homeland, SHI 360 went on to sell platinum records in his collaboration with rapper Subliminal and TACT, and his music has gone international- significantly influencing the modern Israeli hip hop scene. SHI 360 hit singles include “Home” “Kabel,” “Break the Silence,” “United” and “Tribal Dance.” His collaboration with the TACT All-Stars album was a ground-breaking, commercial triumph that captivated Israel’s music world, selling gold in its first day of release something unheard of in Israel history. SHI 360’s passion for the Middle East and world Jewry is resolute in his lyrics that project his multi-lingual culture of English, French and Hebrew. While the worldwide ignorance of ongoing conflicts in the Middle Eastern grows, SHI 360 confronts these topics and cultivates a positive message- drawing appeal and global respect from diverse hip hop fans. His message is one of “unity” and conscious global hip hop. Along with his music, SHI 360 advocates giving back to the community and is a mentor for children who come from disadvantaged and broken homes. He also prides himself on his culinary skills, enjoys reading and playing street ball. His latest record and music videos off his “Shalom Haters” album takes over the global hip hop scene and hits iTunes, MTV, VH1 and Fuse in 2012.
► MOSHAV | Israeli / Reggea / Rock / World (ISRAELI)
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | Internationally acclaimed American/Israeli rock group Moshav began when childhood friends Yehuda (vocals, percussion) and Duvid (vocals, guitar) made music together on Moshav Mevo Modiin in Israel. The group was initially discovered by a group of American students travelling in Israel who heard the band play and raised money to bring them to the states for a college tour in the late 1990s. Soon after, Moshav relocated to Los Angeles where they continued to grow their fan base and began recording with some of the industry’s best.
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | ARTIST SPEAKER KIT | WIKIPEDIA Y-Love, known for years as the world’s first African-American Orthodox hip-hop artist and now the first artist to come out of the closet before an album release is undeniably one of the decade’s most dynamic artists. When Y-Love released his first mixtape in 2005, the world took note of the first African-American Orthodox hip-hop artist. Called a “crossover success” by the Jerusalem Post for branching out from the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community to which he converted in 2000, Y-Love made waves in 2012 when he became the first hip-hop artist to come out of the closet as gay before an album release. Y-Love’s coming out announcement debuted at #1 most popular on OUT Magazine’s Out.com and was frontpage news on CNN. Y-Love is listed as an “Up and Coming Out-and-Proud LGBT rapper” by Russell Simmons’ GlobalGrind. The world’s first black “Jewish MC,” Y-Love has been featured in hundreds of forums, from Conan O’Brien to USA Today and XXL Magazine to The Australian and Italy’s La Repubblica. He is also the subject of a new documentary entitled “Y-Love” debuting nationally later this year.
Diwon is an Israeli musical mystic, multi-genre producer who travels the globe performing, producing and researching sounds. His styles range from Yemenite music blended with electro hip hop beats to cinematic psychadelia. Throughout Diwon’s albums, remixes, singles, and mixtapes, one can hear the influence of his family that migrated from Yemen to Ethiopia finally settling in Israel. URB MAGAZINE listed Diwon amongst their NEXT 1000, Forward listed him as one of the Top 50 “most influential Jews of 2007;” and The Village Voice stated that his work “as producer and DJ is among the most adventurous and banging on the new Jewish music scene.” CBS featured Diwon as part of their Faith, Music and Culture series and he has made appearances on NPR, PBS, and BBC World. Diwon is also the founder and director of The Sephardic Music Festival. His music, style, and presence get famous US clubs to resemble the craziest festivals abroad.
“Diwon is something else …in a profound kind of way. The New Yorker gets crafty when it comes to beats by extracting world music—mainly traditional Yemenite music– and fusing it with electro hip hop; creating a titillating sound that’s juicy and for the ears.”– URB Magazine.
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | ARTIST WEBSITE Bonhom is a new pop project co-created by two musical masterminds: singer/songwriter James Coleman and DJ, producer, and songwriter Diwon. Together, they produce their own unique brand of epic ethereal pop.
With the release of the “Live For Now” song and music video, Bonhom defines the style of Dream-Pop. From the danceable beat to the dreamy vocals, “Live for Now” delivers a classic pop sound infused with a modern 2013-style production.
“Live for Now” tops BONHOM’s forthcoming Top of the World EP, which is set to be released in early 2013. The release includes a remix by Dubstep duo, Neutron, composed of Hollywood producers Laze & Royal. They are responsible for some of the hottest songs by Tyga, The Game, Chris Brown, Ke$ha, and more.
Nina Safar is the founder and foodie of Kosher in the Kitch! She has been featured on Perez Hilton and has worked with Macy’s, Crumbs and Real Food Daily. She started her blog in search of the best recipes and realized, you don’t need to be a chef to cook a good meal. With the right recipe, or blog, you can enjoy delicious cuisine right from your home. Nina tours college campuses leading workshops on how to impress yourself or a date in a dorm kitchen using the bare minimum.
For the better part of three years Mikey Pauker has been spreading love and light all over the globe facilitating transformation through music and educating all denominations of people about connecting with the inner light. His passionate connection to ancient text runs through his veins and feeds his ability to compose music inspired by mysticism and divine experiences. The Orange County native has shared the stage with with Trevor Hall, Matthew Santos, Matisyahu, Idan Raichel, Local Natives, The Stone Foxes among others. Mikey has just finished recording his full length record with producer Diwon (Y-Love, Bonhom) and CEO of Shemspeed, the leading urban Jewish entertainment imprint. The album which blends genres and hints at styles similar to Bon Iver, Imagine Dragons & Trevor Hall is slated for release in 2013.
► ARTIST WEBSITE
Moshav known to most as the biggest and most beloved and most fun Jewish rock band, grew up on Moshav Meor Modi’im, a musical village located in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Their home, founded by the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, was and continues to be the birthplace of many Jewish songs enjoyed by the world over. The members of the Moshav Band were under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, while immersed in his musical world, often performing with him at his concerts.
Moshav, primarily composed of brothers Yehuda (vocals, percussion), Meir (vocals, guitar, mandolin) , Yosef (bass) Solomon, and David (vocals, guitar) comes on like a family of traveling minstrels, court jesters, and the old-age mystics all at once. Their music is rich with fiery rock/folk/reggae songs, spiced with the flavors of the Middle East. The boys draw you into their own struggles, and leave you pondering your own, but not before they provide you with a huge helping of hope.
Their powerful sound has been heard at music festivals and more intimate settings worldwide. Fresh off their tour with Top 40 artist, Alex Clare, Moshav have also played an essential role in a series of tours including The Wake Up Tour (a Northern American Jewish Renewal project), and the Israeli Block Parties, organized to increase Israel and Jewish awareness. Now based in Los Angeles, the band continues to ignite audiences throughout the US and worldwide.
Moshav looks forward to bringing their exhilarating blend of diverse musical style and original songs to your stage.
► SOL TEVEL | LIVE REGGAE / ISRAELI / ROOTS (ISRAELI)
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | ARTIST WEBSITE Sol Tevél integrates sounds, rhythms, and multi-lingual lyrics from around the globe in order to advocate building a strong, conscious and united community worldwide. Led by Israeli-born, Lior Ben-Hur, Sol Tevel is a San Francisco-based band that focuses on connecting Hebrew roots while engaging world cultures. Sol Tevél have just released their debut album, World Light, which sheds a new light and contemporary interpretation on old Jewish texts, ideals and mysticism.
Sol Tevél are:
Lior Ben-Hur: lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars guitars, harmonica
Jesse Lemme Adams: piano, keyboard, accordion
Brett Cavanaugh: percussion
Tim Vickers: electric & up right bass
Yoel Bibas: Drums, Cajon
Monica Fimbrez: Vocals
Jenevieve Francisco: Vocals
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | ARTIST WEBSITE Brody is an Israeli/American singer who bridges the worlds of pop, soul, hip-hop, electronic and world music. As a child he was a singer in the famous Miami Boys Choir which showcases the best voices in the Jewish world. At 16, Brody moved to Israel started writing music, teaching himself bass, guitar, piano, and drums writing hip hop, trance, rock and soul music. At 21 he moved back to NY and heard “Right Now” by Akon on the radio, he sang “Lecha Dodi” to the instrumental track fitting in a perfect pop way much like a DJ blend on a mixtape. This mix of radio and scripture caught the attention of music impresario, Diwon, who immediately brought Brody into the studio.
While working on his much anticipated debut album, “I’m Not Me”, Brody caught the attention of four time Grammy award winning producer, Tony Kelly responsible for hit songs by Sean Paul, Shaggy and Wayne Wonder. “I’m Not Me” featuring production by DJ Vibe, Tony Kelly and twin brother production duo, Laze & Royal is slated for a late 2012 release, following up his free mixture, Urban Anxiety which features remixes of Stephen Marley, Eminem and Inna, all with Brody’s smooth voice singing and rapping in English and Hebrew of sustaining faith and hope while on the streets and in a violent Holy Land. An artist to watch out for, Brody’s unique soulful spin on Urban music has gained him a world-wide following.
From Tel Aviv, Israel now residing in Beantown after living most of her life in Paris, Onili’s music is a mix between french chic, electro and Israeli pop. A composer, singer, video lover and fashionista, Onili lives somewhere between pop & everything else, a white girl with a swagger like no other.
► ARTIST WEBSITE | | ARTIST WEBSITE Purdue Avenue, formed in January of 2009, is an alternative SoCal rock band based in LA whose music contains the raw energy of a young Weezer and Sublime. After their impressive first gig, Purdue Avenue got such rave reviews that the talented ensemble of young musicians decided to record their debut EP. Each song is catchier than the next and even a first time listener finds himself singing along immediately.
► KISS SLASH CROOKED SMILE | Pop / Electronic / Rock
► ARTIST WEBSITE Yula Beeri and Assaf Spector are The Black Keys of the post-electro. The two create world of sounds with the live instruments that line the walls of their studio creating addicting dance tracks mixed with retro rock and pop edge.
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | SPEAKER PRESS KIT Eprhyme spits rhymes designed to refine the mind of the listener. Kabbalah, psychology, politics, and party rocking are intertwined with elements of jazz, funk, klezmer, and Middle Eastern music to create a powerful and poetic plea for peace, justice, joy, and unity. Eprhyme’s debut solo album, WAYWORDWONDERWILL, is a kaleidoscopic counter-cultural exchange program for mystics, punks and b-boys. The album features two 7in. singles released by indie-pop icon K Records as part of its International Pop Underground series. Lyrically, Eprhyme is a well versed tour guide who owes as much to Rebbe Nachman and Robert Anton Wilson as he does to John Coltrane and KRS-ONE.
-“Eprhyme brings a fresh perspective to the urban class clash and…finds universal values that transcend religious labels.” SOUNDROOTS
Max Jared is that rare kind of artist whose music makes an immediate impact. With an innate talent for crafting memorable pop melodies, the Texas native grips listeners with socially conscious lyrics and a versatile acoustic sound. His musical influences include Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and John Butler, yet Max has a continuously evolving style uniquely his own.
Growing up in Dallas, Max showed a natural inclination for music from a young age. In middle school, he was forever tapping on his desk during class. His percussive talent was finally given an outlet when he inherited his Uncle’s 1960s Apollo drum set, and after four years as a drummer, Max bought himself a guitar with money received from his Bar Mitzvah. He wrote his first song at age 13 as a way of coping when a close friend was put in a coma by a car accident. After his friend’s miraculous recovery, he performed the song for her and fifty other people; their powerful emotional reaction confirmed for him that music was his true calling. Since then, Max has been writing songs that celebrate life, infused with Jewish themes of social responsibility and tikkum olam (Hebrew for repairing the world). One of his greatest experiences thus far occurred while he was an undergrad at Indiana University, where he sang for the Dalai Lama during an Interfaith Welcoming Service in 2007. Max first premiered the tracks comprising Thoughtless Sounds at last year’s CMJ Music Festival. Produced by Tom Prasada-Rao and Dan Lee, the album was recorded in 2011 and features renowned musicians Chuck Rainey and Julie Bonk. The music sounds at once timeless and current, with rich material drawing on his global travels and experiences as an environmental and social activist. Talking about what inspires him, Max said, “If we’re lucky, for one moment we can celebrate the awesomeness of our lives and share the same existence. That’s why I write songs: for that one split second when groups of people are singing together, and it seems like the whole world is in that one moment.” Thoughtless Sounds drops just in time for fall with breezy, infectious melodies and uplifting lyrics that perfectly capture the universal wonder of being alive.
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | SPEAKER PRESS KIT | WIKIPEDIA Appearing live with everyone from Nas and Lady Sovereign to Asher Roth and The Handsome Furs, hard work has earned him a rite of passage like no other, being the only Israeli New Jerseyan artist who began battling with the likes of Immortal Technique to performing at BET’s 106th and Park and the 2009 Sundance Film Festival .In the last few months, Dillz has been in the press for a triumphant summer victory at the Hot 97 Summer Jam Battle at Giants Stadium that won him a illustrious promotional deal with legendary NYC mainstay, Duck Down Records. Since that time ,he was handpicked off his solo tour by Rza of the Wu Tang Clan to join him on the world reknown Rock The Bells west coast dates, and wil be accompanying rising Billboard artist Matisyahu on the European “Light” Tour this October.
“Kosha Dillz is not only a clever play on words, but also presents a rarely seen culture clash in music. He voices his political opinions on foreign affairs and oppression with fresh rhymes. This makes him a universal voice…” URB MAGAZINE
► DARSHAN | Electronic / Folk / Rock / Hip Hop / Electronic
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | SPEAKER PRESS KIT Darshan is astral rap, liturgical jazz, audio alchemy. Harmonizing Hebrew chant with hip-hop, folk rock with electro-pop, love poetry with kabbalistic psychology, Darshan is a unique and organic weave of world wisdom traditions and modern musical styles. At its core, Darshan is the creative and contemplative collaboration between Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feitand Eden “Eprhyme” Pearlstein. Together, these two juxtapose diverse sounds and styles in an artistic act of bridge building. The group is exceptionally versatile, playing both stripped down acoustic (and even a capella) sets, as well as full force, multi-instrumental concerts. Fans uncomfortable or unfamiliar with hip-hop are able to appreciate this complex and moving music when it’s slowed down and softened up. The big, plugged-in, live band festival and club sets resonate with the younger and/or more rock-oriented crowd. As Modern Midrash Makers, Darshan is able to offer a wide variety of presentations, including facilitated text study sessions, shabbatons, melaveh malkas, children’s programs and weddings.
► At 24 yrs. old Raphael “Hebro” Fulcher, an aspiring singer songwriter and rapper brings multifaceted talent to the music industry. His art form and expression stem from a soulfully rich heritage and a passionate drive to spread knowledge and awareness through music. As the youngest of six children born and raised as Orthodox Jews in Crown Heights Brooklyn, Raphael Ohr Chayim Fulchers journey would begin in New York it would continue into a story in which the rural south,Midwest, and ultimately Israel would be called home. The challenges and rare life experiences of being a member of one of the only African-American Orthodox Jewishfamilies in the country, have inspired Hebro to share his story and his message to the world through music in hopes of inspiring others and creating awarenessof diversity within Judaism. Exposure to diverse social, financial, and spiritual atmospheres along with a strong sense of identity and tradition motivates hismission to promote positivity and inspire unity through his art.His influences include artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, Idan Raichel, and Matisyahu to name a few. Born into a family of soul singers, Hebro has enjoyed singing since early childhood and soon became wellknown as a Jewish wedding singer. Nevertheless his true love for performing was found in Israel while studying in the post-high school Yeshiva program, Netiv Aryeh. What began as guest appearances showcasing his voice and uncanny freestyle rap ability has since developed into the streamlined mission to promote spirituality,consciousness, and enlightenment through music, bringing new depth and meaning to Hip Hop and R&B. The truth and sincerity of his lyrical content combine with melodic undertones, rhythm and flow to create a truly unique experience.
► ARTIST PRESS KIT | | ARTIST WEBSITE Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band, Pharaoh’s Daughter, through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica.Her sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan and Greece.
Shtar is one of our new favorite Jewish hip hop groups. They bridge west coast style rhymes with Gorillaz tinged choruses. Jerusalem’s Shtar, which in hebrew translates to the word “contract”, the foremost indicator of acquisition in jewish law. The group Shtar consists of a producer/songwriter (Brad Rubenstein) and a hip hop lyricist (Ori Murray). The unlikely team met while studying in Aish HaTorah a rabbinical college in Jerusalem opposite of the famed Western Wall.
Ori Murray from Seattle, Washington found his calling from growing up in a house party scene where the freestyle cyphen was always part and parcel to the situation. At 17 he found himself in high school poetry class. The immediate ease and connection to spoken word forced him into the cyphen. In 2002 at the age of 20 he began working on a full length album. Partially through the project the Drum n Bass scene took off in Seattle and Murray began MCing Clubs and Raves. After a bit of time Ori became a Resident MC under the stage name “Madsteez” for Seattle’s Grooveside and Kaos Theory Crews, and Played with world class DJs such as: Aphrodite, DJ Fresh, DJ Dara, Deiselboy, AK1200, Gridlock, and Mat the Alien etc. In the Midst of this Ori took a 2 week vacation in Israel and never returned to Seattle.
“Y-Love and Diwon brought together students from across our campus who share a love of good music and good times. Their performance broadened our students’ cultural horizons and provided a uniquely fun and compelling Jewish experience.” – Sara L. Rich, Princeton
“Eli Yale’s Bar Mitzvah party was one of Yale’s best parties of the semester thanks to DJ Diwon. He spun the perfect mix of songs from the 90s and today, in addition to some great jams from Israel and the Shemspeed record label.” – Yael Zinkow, Yale
“Thanks so much for sending us your superstar! I look forward to watching the career of this talented musician. I will happily give my recommendation to anyone to take Eprhyme and, I am personally inspired by him as well.” – Ephraim Kamin, Stanford University Rabbi
“Shemspeed is a one stop shop for an amazing Jewish experience. They are professional and understand the needs of a college campus. Shemspeed gave our students an evening of authentic (and fun!) connection to their Jewish roots that they were talking about for weeks.” – Gordan Dale, Program Associate, Tufts University
“They were Kabbalistic, boombastic and rhyth-mystic- in line with the youths moves and grooves – a winning performance!”– Rabbi Snir Bitton, The Chai Center, Montreal
“Y-Love was Great! Everyone was enthralled with the whole band, it was really something to see all those raps with Aramaic! Diwon really a pleasure to deal with. Came on time setup and played till no one could dance anymore!” – Rabbi Zev Wineberg, Chabad of Long Island City
“It was a great show. Y-Love rocked the house and our students loved him.”– David Hollander, Columbia
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Shemspeed is an independent recording label & promotional agency devoted to producing and developing dynamic multi-cultural artists and interactive media. Founded by Erez Safar, an American-Israeli DJ/Producer, Shemspeed promotes over 15 dynamic artists representing a wide range of genres including hip-hop, reggae, and rock. These artists include Y-Love (revolutionary Jewish hip-hop), Diwon (Yemenite / Sephardic hip-hop, Israeli music and more), Brody (soulful hip hop, electronic & dancehall) and Electro Morocco (Israeli rock, dance music.) Shemspeed artists, collectively showcasing the diversity in world Jewish music, have performed with musicians as varied as Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Idan Raichel and Eminem; they’ve been profiled in Rolling Stone, SPIN, The New York Times and XXL; and they’ve been seen and heard around the world on various TV appearances (Conan O’Brien, CBS and BBC World) and global radio. Shemspeed’s mission is unifying people through culture and education, celebrating diversity and common ground. By way of this work, we add a public Jewish voice to multi-cultural, inter-faith, creative and collaborative bridge-building.
