Jews & Rap Music

Rick Rubin

We  can’t start talking about Jews and Rap Music without talking about Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin, an American record executive and record producer. He was hugely important to the development of hip-hop and rap music as we know it today. Rubin, who grew up in a Jewish home on Long Island,  was called "the most important producer of the last 20 years" by MTV in 2007. 


Rick Rubin's work as a producer has been diverse, covering a wide range of musical genres, from hip-hop to rock, metal, and country. He's known for working with iconic artists and helping shape their careers. His influence on the music industry, as a whole, cannot be understated.

Jews in the Hip Hop Business

“The biggest contributions that Jews have made collectively to hip-hop may have been on the business side, as managers and record label executives.


“White people have played more of a role on the business side than as artists because hip-hop is, for the most part, a Black art form,” explained Charnas, who worked in A&R (which involves seeking out new artists to sign) at Rubin’s American Recordings label in the early 1990s.


In his 2010 book “The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop,” Charnas shares the stories of the record label executives who commercialized hip-hop, including several Jewish ones: Roy and Jules Rifkind, owners of the label that released one of the first rap records in 1979, “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” by Fatback Band; Aaron Fuchs, founder of Tuff City Records, the first rap label to secure a major-label distribution deal; Tom Silverman, founder of Tommy Boy Records, whose roster of musicians included Queen Latifah, Coolio, De La Soul, and Naughty By Nature; Jerry Heller, co-founder of Ruthless Records with rapper Eazy-E; and Julie Greenwald, Def Jam’s head of marketing in the ’90s (who now runs the Atlantic Music Group).”


from “From Rick Rubin to Doja Cat, Jews have helped shape the first 50 years of hip hop” in the Times of Israel by Andrew Esensten

Jews & Hip Hop Outside the Board Room

Jews have also played a significant role in hip-hop as talent managers - a role they have long been vilified in for profiting off of their artists’ creativity and labor, or worse. However, many of the most famous claims, such as that Jerry Heller cheated the N.W.A, have been found to be baseless. Hip-hop schollars such as Dan Charnas, a journalist and arts professor at NYU, have connected Jewish involvement in so many different aspects of hip-hop culture to the historical alliance between Jews and Black people.


Many of the journalists and podcasters who have chronicled and signal boosted hip-hop and rap music have also been Jewish, for example, Jonathan Shecter and Dave Mays, who co-founded the groundbreaking hip-hop magazine The Source and Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, who recently released ItsTheReal, a deeply-researched podcast about the heyday of rap blogs.

A Few Jewish Rappers

Note that this is not a comprehensive list!

Beastie Boys

One of the most iconic rap groups of all time, the Beastie Boys, consisted of three Jewish members (Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch). They played a significant role in the early development of hip-hop and were known for their eclectic and innovative approach to the genre.

Drake

While not exclusively a rap artist, Drake is a prominent figure in the hip-hop world and has Jewish roots through his mother's side. He has embraced his Jewish heritage and occasionally references it in his music.

Mac Miller

The late rapper Mac Miller had Jewish heritage and was open about his identity. He integrated elements of Jewish culture into his work and even sampled Jewish music in some of his songs.

Lil' Dicky

Lil Dicky, whose real name is David Andrew Burd, is a Jewish-American rapper known for humorously incorporating his Jewish identity into his music and comedy. He often references his Jewish background in his lyrics, using clever wordplay and satire. His presence in the hip-hop scene as a Jewish artist has contributed to a more diverse representation within the genre.

Doja Cat

Doja Cat, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamin, is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who has Jewish heritage through her mother's side. While she's known for her versatility in blending various musical genres, her Jewish background is a part of her diverse cultural identity, although she may not prominently feature it in her music as some other artists do.

Find More

Rap Music & Antisemitism

Antisemitism has, unfortunately, surfaced in various forms within the realm of rap music. It's important to note that not all rap music is antisemitic, and the genre as a whole cannot be characterized by this issue. However, instances of antisemitism have occurred, just as they have in other forms of art and entertainment.


Some rap songs have contained lyrics that perpetuate stereotypes about Jewish people or promote hateful ideologies. Such lyrics can contribute to the propagation of antisemitic views. While many artists use rap as a platform to address social issues and criticize various aspects of society, there is a fine line between artistic expression and promoting hate speech.


The music industry, including the rap community, has, at times, grappled with addressing antisemitism within its ranks. There have been efforts to condemn and distance from artists or lyrics that promote hatred.


Before you ask: I won't delve into the Ye/Kanye West antisemitism topic in this post because it's already been extensively discussed by many. My post is focused on the broader theme of rap music, which transcends individual controversies. Rap is a vast and diverse genre with numerous artists and stories to explore, and my intention is to celebrate its rich culture and history in connection with Jewish figures.

Just For Fun

"Puppy for Hanukkah" is a rap song created by the group Freestyle Love Supreme, which includes members Daveed Diggs, Andrew Bancroft, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The song is a humorous and light-hearted take on the theme of Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday, and the desire for a Hanukkah gift, in this case, a puppy.


In the context of Jews and rap music, "Puppy for Hanukkah" is an example of how Jewish culture and traditions can be integrated into rap music. While the song may not explore deeply religious or cultural themes, it playfully celebrates Hanukkah, a significant Jewish holiday, through the medium of rap. This demonstrates the versatility of rap as a genre that can incorporate various cultural elements and themes, including those from Jewish traditions, in a fun and engaging way.