Shtar

Shtar (Aramaic: שטר, "contract") is an Israeli Jewish rap rock band based in Beit Shemesh. Formed in 2006 by American rapper Ori Murray and English guitarist/songwriter Brad Rubinstein, the band released their debut album, Infinity, in Israel in 2010 and in the United States through Shemspeed Records in 2012. They have received considerable media attention, much of it focused on the contrast between their traditional Jewish dress and modern-sounding music. A second recording, Boss EP, was released through the band's own Heatseat Records in December 2012. In 2015, they were announced as contestants on the Israeli reality singing show HaKokhav HaBa.

Shtar
OriginBeit Shemesh, Israel
GenresJewish rock, Jewish hip hop, rap rock, alternative hip hop
Years active2006 (2006)–present
LabelsShemesh Music, Shemspeed, 8th Note (Israel), Heatseat
Associated actsLisp
Websiteshtarmusic.com
MembersOri "M'Ori" Murray
Brad Rubinstein
Dan "Zakki" Issac
Avi Sommers
Tzvi Solomons
Past membersAlex Lopez-Dias
David Epstein

History

Founding members Ori Murray and Brad Rubinstein met at the Aish HaTorah yeshiva in Jerusalem, after having led largely non-religious lives. Upon discovering that they both had musical backgrounds they had abandoned in favor of their religious studies (Murray had previously been an MC in Seattle's drum and bass scene, while Rubinstein had been the guitarist and songwriter for a short-lived Essex-based trip hop outfit called Lisp), the two started encouraging each other to return to making music and ultimately formed Shtar in 2006,[1] taking the name from a tractate of Gemara they were learning at the time. Originally a duo, they gradually added a full band to their lineup in order to be more interesting live.[2]

In May 2010, the band released its debut album Infinity.[3] The band was signed a year later by Shemspeed Records,[4] who re-released the album on March 5, 2012.[5][6] In October, the band played the Israeli independent music festival InDNegev and gave a Halloween concert at Mike's Place in Tel Aviv. December 5, 2012 saw the independent release of a second Shtar recording, the Boss EP. Shortly afterward, the band announced plans for a second EP, Beauty Queen EP, to be released in early summer 2013, as well as a UK tour the same year.[1]

On April 9, 2014, Shtar released a Prince of Egypt-inspired Passover single called "So Decide".[7] On December 10 of the same year, they released a Hanukkah single, "Lights", through Aish.com.[8]

The band auditioned for the 2015-16 season of the Israeli reality singing competition HaKokhav HaBa, which offers winners a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their audition song was a cover of "In the End" by Linkin Park.[9] They were awarded ninth place, while singer Hovi Star was declared the winner with "Made of Stars".

Musical style

Over the course of their career, Shtar's music has combined hip hop with elements of funk, rock, pop, electronica, and Sephardic music (co-vocalist Dan Isaac comes from a line of Sephardic cantors),[1][5][10] with influences including Beck, The Roots, Massive Attack, Mos Def, and Coldplay.[11] Max Elstein Keisler of The Forward described the formula of the songs on Infinity as "a melodic, live-band beat, a smooth vocal hook, usually in Hebrew, and a sophisticated 'smart guy' rapping."[12] In contrast, the Boss EP included more pop and electronica elements, and featured completely English lyrics and less overtly religious themes.[1]

Band members

Current members

Past members
  • Alex Lopez-Dias – bass guitar
  • David Epstein – drums

Discography
Recordings
Singles and videos
  • "Modeh (Restoring My Soul)" (2010; Infinity)
  • "Infinity" (2010; Infinity)
  • "Overload" (2012; Boss EP)
  • "So Decide" (2014)
  • "Ma Nishtana" (2016)
  • "Gone Again" (2016; Boss EP)
  • "Ma'oz Tzur" (2016)
  • "Echad Mi Yodea" (2017)

References
  1. Marder, Rachel (Dec 6, 2012). "The Israeli Music Scene's Rising 'Shtar'". Algemeiner Journal. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  2. Bresky, Ben (June 2010). "Yeshiva Hip-Hop Band "Shtar" Releases New CD". Israel National News. Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  3. "Infinity". Shtarmusic.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  4. "Shemspeed signs Shtar to restore your soul". Shemspeed.com. Jan 11, 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  5. Marder, Rachel (March 17, 2012). "Shtar Power". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  6. "Infinity". Amazon.com. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  7. "SHTAR - PASSOVER SONG - So Decide". YouTube. April 9, 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  8. "Lights: An Inspiring Hanukkah Music Video". Aish.com. December 10, 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  9. Poch, Raphael (December 14, 2015). "Haredi rap band Shtar hopes to make it at Eurovision". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  10. Sapty, Tanya (Nov 17, 2011). "Haredi hip hop group rocks Tel Aviv". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  11. Shtar YNet News Interview, originally conducted by Rafi Barbiro for Ynet News, later posted on the band's YouTube channel.
  12. Keisler, Max Elstein (March 5, 2012). "Monday Music: Rap for Rabbis". The Arty Semite. The Forward. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
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