Sunday May 19 2013
Hebrew in Hip Hop Music: From Eric B & Rakim to Jay-Z
ludacris-hebrew-hiphoppow.jpg

The complete guide for Hebrew (samples & rap) in popular hip hop songs (plus videos!) by Jay-Z, Eric B. & Rakim, Wyclef with Missy, and even Hebrew and Israeli motives in videos by Digable Planets & Ludacris.



1. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (Coldcut Remix) [1987]

Hebrew. NOT arabic. Sample from "Im Nin'Alu" by Ofra Haza.
(translation: Im Nin'Alu = "If be locked" - in Hebrew, full sentence "If generous doors be locked") lyrics by Rabbi Shalom Shabazi.






Original (Ofra Haza - "Im Nin'Alu"):


2. Wyclef Jean feat. Missy Elliott - Party To Damascus

"Boh Habibi Nishtagea"
Translation: "Come on darling lets get crazy"
[Boh= "Come on" (Hebrew) , Habibi= "darling" (Arabic, but Hebrew slang), Nishtagea= "Get Crazy" (Hebrew)]




3. Jay-Z - Roc Boys
Jigga rap in hebrew:
"Bar Mitzvah" , "Le'Chaim" = Cheers! (to toast, not UK meaning), "Mazal Tov" = Congratulations!




4. Ludacris - Slap

In 1:42 Ludacris wears red shirt with white Hebrew text and IDF's logo, says (translated): "I.D.F, after me to the Paratroopers".




5. Digable Planets - 9th Wonder
From 0:40 there's a kid finding Israeli Shekel (NIS) bill with Israeli Prime Minister "Golda Meir" photo and Hebrew notes:
"10 New Israeli Shekels", "Bank of Israel", etc. The video ends with the same note.