Israeli hip hop refers to hip hop and rap music in Israel. Israeli hip hop artists have mainly emerged from the populations of Mizrahi Jews, Ethiopian Jews, and Israeli-Arabs, though there have also been numerous artists from Israeli Ashkenazi Jews especially Hasidim. Israeli hip hop artists enjoy wide popularity in Israel and have succeeded in appealing to international markets particularly the United States.
Shabak Samech
Yair Nitzani
Subliminal
DAM performing in Washington D.C.
Shabak Samech is one of the first recognized hip-hop groups to come out of Israel. Their sound is primarily hip-hop, but it includes elements of rapcore, dancehall, ska, and funk. Their sound has been compared to the Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine. The group had two and three vocalists, two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist. The group placed minimal reliance on beats and samples.
Shabak Samech during a performance in Be'er Sheva, March 2010
Shabak Samech during a performance in Beer Sheva, March 2010