[Elder of Ziyon] Hebrew/English hip-hop "Shalom Haters"

From The Algemeiner:

Israeli/North African MC SHI 360 releases "Shalom Haters" video which received over 30,000 unique views in one week and debuted on Vibe Magazine's All Hip Hop site. This Platinum artist from Israel, has toured all over the world with acts from Subliminal to Killah Priest. The video shares a title with SHI 360′s full length break out English record, 'Shalom Haters' which hit stores world-wide today on Shemspeed/360 Music Records. SHI 360 sat down with one of Shemspeed's Sarah Weiss late last week for an exclusive interview on Algemeiner.

SW: Would you call yourself a zionist rapper?

SHI 360: I don't consider myself a zionist rapper, although many would say otherwise. I rap about social and political issues. In some of the songs I say things that people don't get in the media and it makes people tag me as a zionist – that's their problem. I tell it like it is. If a story is one sided, I will do everything I can to give you the other side as well, just so you can get a balanced picture and not be afraid to think for yourself. The media has put a lot of effort into vilifying the word zionism. Zionism simply supports the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish homeland – Zion. The Jewish people are native to the Middle East and Israel is our home. Many people have a problem with the term "Jewish state". What if it was Muslim or Christian? hmmmm

SW: What's the story behind 'Shalom Haters'? The title and cover art looks aggressive, but also in a way playful, it's definitely catchy, but also controversial. What do you want the world to take away from such a phrase?

SHI 360: Shalom Haters was started by a good friend of mine and an incredible artist called Hebrew Mamita. I really loved it and asked to borrow it and make something of my own with it. With her blessing, this is not only the title track, but the name of the album as well. It is, like you say, very playful. On one hand, haters are real popular in hip hop. But beyond that, the Jewish people have so many haters that you just gotta say "shalom" haha I mean – I throw love at the haters you feel me? It's the only way…I want people to take away that there is no energy to be wasted on haters. Just say "shalom" and wave.

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Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder of Ziyon at 1/24/2012 02:30:00 PM