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Outlook: An Orthodox rapper in Jerusalem

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Nissim Black

03/03/2021 GMT

An Orthodox rapper in Jerusalem

BBC World Service - Outlook, An Orthodox rapper in Jerusalem

Nissim Black is an American rapper who converted to Hasidic Judaism

Nissim Black made his name rapping about drive-by shootings in the USA. Then he converted to Hasidic Judaism and moved to Jerusalem.

Nissim Black grew up in the American city of Seattle, where he made his name rapping about drug dealing and drive-by shootings. These were all subjects that were familiar to him, and his music was doing well, but nevertheless Nissim became increasingly unhappy with the gangster image he portrayed. He started as a Christian looking for answers in the Bible, but a growing interest in the Old Testament led on to a conversion to Orthodox Judaism, and ultimately a move to Jerusalem. Nissim still raps, but now he does it in a Shtreimel hat.

Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda rose to fame in Zambia in the 1970s as the lead singer of the psychedelic rock band Witch. He toured much of Southern Africa, and his onstage antics made him one of the biggest figures of the Zamrock scene. Regional conflict and the AIDs pandemic put an end to the Zamrock scene and Jagari spent many years in the wilderness, but now he's back on stage once again. This was first broadcast in January 2018. 

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com


Image: Nissim Black 
Credit: Tziporah Litman

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