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Shaanan Streett, one-sixth of Israeli hip-hop/funk group Hadag Nahash, says it’s good for musicians to advocate for social justice causes, but that doesn’t mean the music isn’t fun. Street seems to have achieved both goals, as his band’s songs remain catchy and danceable yet feature in protest against a variety of causes. As long as you “remain authentic,” Streett said, viewers will notice your authenticity.
In the interview, Streett talks about how music can bring people together and his hometown of Jerusalem.
First, tell us where you grew up and how you got into the world of music.
I was born in Jerusalem in 1971. I still live on the outskirts of Jerusalem. After the army, I traveled around the world like many Israelis. When I was in America I started listening to a lot of hip hop and like a true traveler, I had a pad and pen and started writing rhymes in Hebrew. When I recorded one song. Distributed at CD shops. And one of his CD store employees turns out to be a guy in an instrumental funk band. And that’s how we started.
Before we get into your music, tell us about Jerusalem. All over the world, there is the Jerusalem that everyone imagines, and there is the real Jerusalem, inhabited by real people.
No, no one lives in the imaginary Jerusalem. But strangely, no one lives in real-world Jerusalem either. We all live somewhere in between. It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to. If you’re in this city, you don’t just live by what’s happening on the floor.You’ll be living thousands of years of history, millions and millions of hopes and shattered hopes. revolving around you all the time. And in that sense, it’s super artistic.
You are involved in art, film, and music. What can these things do to foster Jewish pride and unite people?
It’s really hard to put a load on art. If it happens, it’s because art did it, not the artist. It’s hard to explain. My only advice is classic hip hop phrases. Speak your mind, even if it seems wrong. That’s the only way that at least me and my band can connect.
What is it that keeps it real for you? We know you have established many community activities, including the One Shekel Festival, to strengthen marginalized communities. Is it an important part of your job?
I see Israel’s involvement in social issues as a privilege or benefit that artists can choose. People want to hear what we have to say, so it’s up to us to decide whether to say it or not. , it’s not about walking away from the problem, it’s about talking about the problem. It would be great to have a festival in a place that has never been held before. It would be great if I could volunteer in the cancer ward. If we can play in the woods that we want to cut down and turn into neighborhoods, we will do it, even if we think every green movement is a disaster. I try to get closer not only to art, but also to what is happening. But we are not politicians or activists, so it is very exhausting. We are artists who have put their hearts in the right place.
Do you think you need to balance writing about social issues with just writing about having fun? Or can you achieve both?
We demand the freedom to write whatever you want, whenever you want. For example, marijuana, having a good time, and social injustice. It’s neither. Our lives contain both. And when you want to keep it real, you have to talk about both. In fact, if I could give an example of their latest album that is still in the process of recording. The single we’re releasing tomorrow is called ‘City of God’ and it’s about Jerusalem and its impact on its inhabitants. So it’s a completely different topic, but it’s music from the same band, and we always try to keep it funky and fun. Having fun is very important to us. I mean, who wants to come in if they say something important and it’s not funny? right? There is a saying like, “If I can’t dance, it’s not my revolution.”
Who are your hip hop influences?
I just did my top 5 artists on Spotify. First up this year was Lil Wayne. The second is Eden Delso, a female rapper here in Israel. Kendrick Lamar is third. Eminem is 4th. And fifth was an Israeli rapper named Pered. So actually, the top 5 were all hip-hop. But I’ve been influenced by everything from jazz to rock’n’roll, reggae, electronic music, funk, and of course hip-hop from around the world.
One of the themes of the Z3 conference is to achieve Jewish unity and pride. What advice would you give to young people who hesitate to show their Jewish pride?
I think the best way is to find something in Judaism that you connect with. Find a certain element and be proud of it. Narrow it down. You are not carrying 5,000 years of Jews on your shoulders. You don’t have to feel that way. Judaism, and diaspora Jews for that matter, have a lot to be proud of. Diaspora Jews have accomplished a lot, so there’s a lot to be proud of under that giant umbrella. So find something you connect with and be proud of it. I think it’s the way.
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