The Hip-Hop Star Who Embraced Faith: 'I Continue Creating and Don't Give Up on My Style'

"I am 32 years old, happily married, and a father of three," shares Ohad Cohen about himself. "I was born in Petah Tikva and grew up in a secular home. By age 15, I was among the pioneers introducing 'black music', or 'hip-hop', to Israel. I discovered I had a talent for it and started producing and creating such songs. During that phase, I mainly wrote lyrics and sang, performing on stages and collaborating with many who are now well-known. You can find my name on the earliest albums of many of the big names."

About ten years ago, he began approaching Judaism, Torah, and mitzvot. When asked how this happened, Ohad says it was quite straightforward. "During those days, my life underwent a transformation; I left the army and was searching for meaning and purpose. Today, I understand I was seeking spirituality, though I couldn't define it then, so I told myself I was looking for a 'motor for life'."

From Stage to Yeshiva

Although Ohad grew up in a secular home, his grandparents were religious. "I experienced quite a few Shabbatot with them and remembered going to pray with my grandfather as a child, so I knew what Judaism was. I felt a connection to that place and could immediately explain to myself that's what I wanted."

It didn't take long for him to decide: he would not perform on Shabbat. "It wasn't simple at all," he says, "since I had regular performances on Friday nights, constantly performing with a specific band. But once I realized I was seeking spirituality, I informed the band I wouldn't work on Shabbat, and I was content with my decision. From the very first Shabbat, not only did I refrain from working, but I also stayed home, prayed, and didn't answer phone calls. After that first Shabbat, I knew I wanted to progress further."

That led him shortly to regularly attending Torah classes, praying in a synagogue, and starting to wear a kippah. "Quickly, I understood I wanted to live a life of a Torah-observing Jew, I wanted to study Torah," he says, "I realized that to shape my life that way, I needed to go to a yeshiva. So, I did. I went to study in a yeshiva in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, and felt separated and distinct from the world. Later, I moved from yeshiva to yeshiva until I found the Chabad path, to which I still belong today."

Not Giving Up the Style

Along with his spiritual growth, Ohad was certain all along that he wanted to do something with his talents. "I always felt music pulsing in my veins. Initially, I didn't understand how to combine singing and Torah, so I left singing, but during nights and free hours, I would sit and write songs and dream of the day I could turn them into records. Later, when I became more stable, I realized it would be a waste to discard my talent. I decided I wanted to use it and create quality, clean music."

Do you think the hip-hop style fits Jewish music?

"Yes, I totally think it is possible; it doesn't contradict. I believe Jewish creation has always engaged with its surroundings. If we're talking about Sephardic Judaism, then Arabic and local tunes, and in Eastern Europe with modern music styles. So why can't hip-hop fit in? Jewish music has changed throughout. Thirty years ago, nobody thought of electric guitars, and today, show me Jewish music without one. I recognize this is my style, and I feel at home there. Of course, I filter a lot, not everything fits on my plate, and not every end justifies the means. But I don’t give up on my style."

An Album with Inspiration

What is unique about Ohad is that he produces his work from start to finish. "I have high-quality studio equipment at home, and I produce all the materials myself. Sometimes I bring musicians to play and accompany me, but generally, I do everything alone—from the beginning to the end."

Recently, Ohad decided to make his songs into a professional album, and he is now in the final stages of its production.

What is the album about?

"This is a personal album. It deals with my personal viewpoint on my experiences, all from the most honest and genuine place. The songs tackle various topics where I found inspiration. For example, in my single called 'Last Moments Before Sunrise', it talks about redemption. The first part describes our current situation, and the second talks about where redemption will take us."

"The second single is called 'In the Desert'. It deals with a slightly more profound idea, describing the situation in the desert when the leper would walk outside the camp and the feelings of that isolated person. The song's message is that we all sometimes experience a descent for the sake of an ascent, which helps elevate us."

Where do you get the inspiration for your songs?

"I rely on Chassidic or Jewish ideas, and I try to express them originally through music."

And what are the plans moving forward?

Ohad smiles. "I want to continue creating and bringing joy to the people of Israel," he says, "For me, 'bringing joy' means in any way—on stages or through albums. The main thing is to bring happiness to the people of Israel," he concludes.