Los Serenos Sefarad

Los Serenos Sefarad ("The Sefarad Watchmen") is an American Judaeo-Spanish-language Jewish hip hop group from Seattle, Washington. They were formed in 2014 by Rabbi Simon Benzaquen (vocals, songwriting), Alejandro "Alex" Hernandez (rapping, producer, guitar), and Netzaj Mendoza (producer).[1] They recorded their debut album Los Bilbilikos on September 2017

Los Serenos Sefarad
OriginSeattle, Washington
GenresJewish hip hop, Sephardic music, Judaeo-Spanish hip-hop
Years active2014 (2014)–present
Associated actsNissim, Orgullo Mexicano
WebsiteLos Serenos Sefarad
MembersRabbi Simon Benzaquen
Alejandro "Alex" Hernandez

History

Los Serenos Sefarad was formed in January 2014 by Morrocan-born[2] Sephardic Rabbi Simon Benzaquen and Mexican-born rapper/guitarist Alejandro "Alex" Hernandez. Benzaquen, the former rabbi of Bikur Holim Congregation in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, was initially uninterested in hip hop but gained a deeper understanding while overseeing the conversion studies of rapper Nissim Black (formerly D. Black), and prominently collaborated with Black on his song "Sores" [3] and several concerts.[1][4] Hernandez, who had moved to Seattle from Chihuahua, Mexico.[1] One of their first collaborations in 2013 was a rap version of the Ladino Hanukkah song "Ocho Kandelikas".[5] Their first performances in Seattle were at Seward Park's SPARK Jewish Music Festival.[1]

On November 9, 2015, the group released their first music video, "La Vida Do Por El Raki".[6] In 2016, they released the songs "La Serena" (The Sentinel)[7] and "Adyjo Keryda Espanya" (Goodbye My Beloved Spain),[8] the latter written about the expulsion of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition on 1492.

Discography

Albums

Los Bilbilikos 2017

Singles
  • "La Vida Do Por El Raki" (2015) [6]
  • "La Serena" (2016) [7]
  • "Adyjo Keryda Espanya" (2016) [8]

Music videos
  • "La Vida Do Por El Raki" (2015) [6]

References
  1. Large, Jerry. "Infusing ancient Ladino songs with rap to keep a culture alive". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  2. http://sscusa.org/shimon-benzquen/
  3. "Sores Feat Rabbi Simon Benzaquen and Nissim Black". Retrieved Sep 12, 2013.
  4. Tomky, Naomi. "Meet the Rapping Rabbi of Seattle". The Forward. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  5. Emily K. Alhadeff (July 23, 2014). "In Seattle, a Sephardi Ladino Revival Takes Hold". Tablet. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  6. "La Vida Do Por El Raki". Retrieved Nov 9, 2015.
  7. "La Serena". Retrieved Feb 26, 2016.
  8. "Adyjo Keryda Espanya". Retrieved Aug 16, 2016.
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