Blood of Abraham

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Blood of Abraham | image = | caption = | alias = BOA | origin = Los Angeles, California<br>Santa Monica, California | genre = Alternative hip hop, Jewish hip hop, West Coast hip hop | years_active = 1993-2000 | label = Ruthless/Relativity, Atomic Pop | website = | current_members = MC Mazik<br>MC Benyad }}

'''Blood of Abraham''' was an American hip-hop duo composed of '''Benyad''' (Benjamin Mor) and '''Mazik''' (David Saevitz).<ref name="LarkinDM">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1998|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0252-6|page=40}}</ref> They debuted in 1993 with the release of the LP ''Future Profits'' on Ruthless Records.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.passionweiss.com/2015/10/07/the-time-eazy-e-signed-van-nuys-duo-blood-of-abraham/|title=The time Eazy-E signed Van Nuys Jewish Rappers, Blood of Abraham|date=2015-10-07|work=Passion of the Weiss|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en-US}}</ref>

A key characteristic of the group was their unapologetic Jewish identity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.laweekly.com/rap-and-revelation/|title=Rap and Revelation|last=Mullen|first=Brendan|date=November 15, 2000|work=LA Weekly|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211054342/https://www.laweekly.com/rap-and-revelation/|archive-date=February 11, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> Their best-known track is "Niggaz and Jewz (Some Say Kikes)", a call for black{{endash}}Jewish unity in the face of shared struggle against bigotry. Made at the height of the strain on Black-Jewish relations in the United States, its opening sample was an actual recording{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} of a Ku Klux Klansman. It featured a verse from Eazy-E as well as the first recorded appearance by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas known then as Will 1X (the group was then known as "Atban Klann".) Other tracks dealing with Jewish themes were "Father of Many Nations" (a song in praise of the Biblical patriarch Abraham) and "Stick To Your Own Kind".

A video was shot for the track "Stabbed by the Steeple," and print ads were centered on large text proclaiming "Jesus was a Black Jew," but the album did not receive much publicity beyond that.<ref name="LarkinDM"/> Blood of Abraham fell into anonymity; their status worsened in 1995 with the death of Eazy-E and the folding of the Ruthless and Relativity Records labels.

Mazik and Benyad then went on hiatus until 2000, which saw the unofficial release of the LP ''Eyedollartree'' on Mastergrip Records, which folded shortly thereafter. ''Eyedollartree'' featured guest appearances from rappers Kool Keith and Divine Styler, as well as production from will.i.am., Cyrus Melchor and Motiv8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conscientious Objectors |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/f0v9py/conscientious-objectors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314062923/https://www.mtv.com/news/f0v9py/conscientious-objectors |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> Basement Records oversaw the official release of ''Eyedollartree'' (with bonus DVD) in late 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.popmatters.com/bloodofabraham-eyedollartree-2495833992.html|title=Blood of Abraham: Eyedollartree|date=2005-09-29|work=PopMatters|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en}}</ref>

As of late, former Blood of Abraham member Benjamin Mor has become an in-demand music video director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/ben_mor.html |title=Ben Mor |publisher=Wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com |date=2006-12-07 |accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref> He has directed clips for Nas, Katy Perry and a few music videos for the Black Eyed Peas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Dog USA|url=http://www.rsafilms.com/company/black-dog-usa/director/ben-mor|work=Ben Mor|publisher=rsafilms.com|accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref>

==Discography==

=== Albums ===

* ''Future Profits'', 16 November 1993 ** Singles: "Stabbed By The Steeple" "Life" * ''Eyedollartree'', 2 May 2000 ** Singles: "99¢ Lighter" "Velvet Glove", "Iron Fist"

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:African American–Jewish relations Category:Musical duos from California Category:Hip-hop groups from California Category:Jewish hip-hop groups Category:Ruthless Records artists Category:American hip-hop duos