RAP: NOT JUST FOR GOYIM ANYMORE

Shouts ring out in South Central Teaneck. A man screams in horror. This man has been insulted in a heated turf war with a vicious barb. This is everyday life for Frum Jewish gangsta rap members. Gang members are used to cold blooded freestyle rap battles and most attend at least 5 a week. Similar situations occur in Borough Park, Canada, and in other places around the globe. To an outsider, these battles sound like a Yo Momma contest in sing-song Gemarah style, but this is where a frum rapper can make or break his street reputation.

The art of rap battling is not a new one. Many trace the origin to Babylonian times where Talmudic scholars were be quick with a stinging remark to a constituent when their dissertation was questioned. Children aging from grade four and up can be found in the schoolyards honing their craft. The most basic component is the burn (shtuch) and later is built up to a rap rhyme (or grammen).

The most famous rivalry is between rap group Shtilla Heights and Balabusta Rhymes continue. The feud began a few years back when both groups released their new singles on the same day. To make matters worse, both songs were a hip-hop re-working of MBD’s “Daiga Menayin”. While neither album was even recognized by Billboard magazine, their relative success was measured in units sold on Eichlers.

The monsey-bred crew, Shtilla Heights, is easily recognizable with red string on their left wrists and the back of their shirts untucked. The crew consists of: “Da Nebb”- Moshe Shwartz, a Kollel drop-out and former Tzlil V’zemer bandmate; “MC Immodium”- Yechiel Kleinkind, unofficial group accountant, named for his lactose intolerance; “Quite Fest”, Seth Gelbstein, amateur wedding juggler and part-time tutor. Trained under Y-love, the world renowned multi-platinum Grammy-winner rap superstar, the group is strong in the art of mixing Hebrew, Yiddish, Aramaic, and English in their lyrics. (His new album, Thisisbabylon, is out in stores now). Balabusta Rhymes’ shtick is slightly more conspicuous; he sports a long shiny satin coat and fur hat on a tilt. He is never seen without his gold-plated Kiddush cup. It is rumored that he rapped his bar mitzvah haftorah. His entourage consists of Bar Papa, Moish Mortgage, and Lil’ Shtickel. (None of their real names were revealed to our reporters). “These guys represent the new era of rap, their talent is shmagegi, and they just got to keep on shteiging”, commented a rep for a rep for Y-Love’s press secretary.

While frum gangsta rap albums are prominently displayed at checkout registers of Kosher Supermarkets around the globe, most teenagers already know the songs from underground mix tapes. The record label Mad Zahav is still is talks with Rabbonim to rescind the internet ban to allow for further public enjoyment and downloads.