# Shtar > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shtar > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Shtar.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtar > Source revision: 1357159801 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Israeli Jewish rap rock band Shtar שטר Origin Beit Shemesh, Israel Genres Jewish rock, Jewish hip hop, rap rock, alternative hip hop Years active 2006 (2006)–present Labels Shemesh Music, Shemspeed, 8th Note (Israel), Heatseat Members Ori "M'Ori" Murray Brad Rubinstein Dan "Zakki" Issac Avi Sommers Tzvi Solomons Past members Alex Lopez-Dias David Epstein Website shtarmusic.com **Shtar** ([Imperial Aramaic](/source/Imperial_Aramaic_language): שטר, "contract") is an [Israeli Jewish](/source/Israeli_Jews) [rap rock](/source/Rap_rock) band based in [Beit Shemesh](/source/Beit_Shemesh). Formed in 2006 by American rapper [Ori Murray](/source/Ori_Murray) and English guitarist/songwriter [Brad Rubinstein](/source/Brad_Rubinstein), the band released their debut album, *[Infinity](/source/Infinity_(Shtar_album))*, in Israel in 2010 and in the United States through Shemspeed Records in 2012. They have received considerable media attention, much of it focused on the contrast between their traditional [Jewish dress](/source/Jewish_religious_clothing) and modern-sounding music. A second recording, *[Boss EP](/source/Boss_EP)*, was released through the band's own Heatseat Records in December 2012. In 2015, they were announced as contestants on the [Israeli](/source/Israeli_Jews) reality singing show *[HaKokhav HaBa](/source/HaKokhav_HaBa)*. ## History Founding members [Ori Murray](/source/Ori_Murray) and [Brad Rubinstein](/source/Brad_Rubinstein) met at the [Aish HaTorah](/source/Aish_HaTorah) [yeshiva](/source/Yeshiva) in [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem), after having led largely non-religious lives. Upon discovering that they both had musical backgrounds they had abandoned in favor of their religious studies (Murray had previously been an [MC](/source/MC) in [Seattle](/source/Seattle)'s [drum and bass](/source/Drum_and_bass) scene, while Rubinstein had been the guitarist and songwriter for a short-lived [Essex](/source/Essex)-based [trip hop](/source/Trip_hop) outfit called [Lisp](/source/Lisp_(band))), the two started encouraging each other to return to making music and ultimately formed Shtar in 2006,[1] taking the name from a tractate of [Gemara](/source/Gemara) they were learning at the time. Originally a duo, they gradually added a full band to their lineup to be more interesting live.[2] In May 2010, the band released its debut album *[Infinity](/source/Infinity_(Shtar_album))*.[3] The band was signed a year later by Shemspeed Records,[4] who re-released the album on March 5, 2012.[5][6] In October, the band played the Israeli [independent music](/source/Independent_music) festival InDNegev and gave a Halloween concert at [Mike's Place](/source/Mike's_Place) in [Tel Aviv](/source/Tel_Aviv). December 5, 2012, saw the independent release of a second Shtar recording, the *[Boss EP](/source/Boss_EP)*. Shortly afterward, the band announced plans for a second [EP](/source/Extended_play), *Beauty Queen EP*, to be released in early summer 2013, as well as a UK tour the same year.[1] On April 9, 2014, Shtar released a *[Prince of Egypt](/source/The_Prince_of_Egypt)*-inspired [Passover](/source/Passover) single called "So Decide".[7] On December 10 of the same year, they released a [Hanukkah](/source/Hanukkah) single, "Lights", through [Aish.com](/source/Aish_HaTorah).[8] The band auditioned for the 2015–16 season of the Israeli reality singing competition *[HaKokhav HaBa](/source/HaKokhav_HaBa)*, which offers winners a spot in the [Eurovision Song Contest](/source/Eurovision_Song_Contest). Their audition song was a cover of "[In the End](/source/In_the_End)" by [Linkin Park](/source/Linkin_Park).[9] They were awarded ninth place, while singer [Hovi Star](/source/Hovi_Star) was declared the winner with "[Made of Stars](/source/Made_of_Stars)". ## Musical style Over the course of their career, Shtar's music has combined [hip hop](/source/Hip_hop_music) with elements of [funk](/source/Funk), rock, pop, [electronica](/source/Electronica), and [Sephardic music](/source/Sephardic_music) (co-vocalist Dan Isaac comes from a line of Sephardic cantors),[1][5][10] with influences including [Beck](/source/Beck), [The Roots](/source/The_Roots), [Massive Attack](/source/Massive_Attack), [Mos Def](/source/Mos_Def), and [Coldplay](/source/Coldplay).[11] Max Elstein Keisler of *[The Forward](/source/The_Forward)* described the formula of the songs on *Infinity* as "a melodic, live-band beat, a smooth vocal hook, usually in [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language), and a sophisticated 'smart guy' rapping."[12] In contrast, the *Boss EP* included more pop and electronica elements, and featured completely English lyrics and less overtly religious themes.[1] ## Band members ### Current members - [Ori Murray](/source/Ori_Murray) – [MC](/source/MC), [lyrics](/source/Lyrics) - [Brad Rubinstein](/source/Brad_Rubinstein) – guitar, songwriting, [production](/source/Hip_hop_production) - Dan "Zaki" Isaac – vocals - Avi Sommers – bass guitar - Tzvi Solomons – drums ### Past members - Alex Lopez-Dias – bass guitar - David Epstein – drums ## Discography ### Studio albums - *[Infinity](/source/Infinity_(Shtar_album))* (2010, 8th Note, Israel; 2012, Shemspeed, U.S.) ### EPs - *[Boss EP](/source/Boss_EP)* (2012, Heatseat) ### Singles - "Modeh (Restoring My Soul)" (2010; *Infinity*) - "Infinity" (2010; *Infinity*) - "Overload" (2012; *Boss EP*) - "So Decide" (2014) - "Ma Nishtana" (2016) - "Gone Again" (2016; *Boss EP*) - "Ma'oz Tzur" (2016) - "Echad Mi Yodea" (2017) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Algemeiner_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Algemeiner_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Algemeiner_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Algemeiner_1-3) Marder, Rachel (December 6, 2012). ["The Israeli Music Scene's Rising 'Shtar'"](https://www.algemeiner.com/2012/12/06/the-israeli-music-scene%E2%80%99s-rising-%E2%80%98shtar%E2%80%99/). [Algemeiner Journal](/source/Algemeiner_Journal). Retrieved January 11, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Bresky, Ben (June 2010). ["Yeshiva Hip-Hop Band "Shtar" Releases New CD"](https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138270#.UNFXEIE9-So). *[Israel National News](/source/Arutz_Sheva#Israel_National_News)*. [Arutz Sheva](/source/Arutz_Sheva). Retrieved December 19, 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Infinity"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121556/http://shtarmusic.com/audio/infinity/). *Shtarmusic.com*. Archived from [the original](http://shtarmusic.com/audio/infinity/) on November 3, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Shemspeed signs Shtar to restore your soul"](https://shemspeed.com/shemspeed-signs-shtar-to-restore-your-soul/). *Shemspeed.com*. January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-JPost_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-JPost_5-1) Marder, Rachel (March 17, 2012). ["Shtar Power"](https://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Music/Article.aspx?id=262236). [The Jerusalem Post](/source/The_Jerusalem_Post). Retrieved January 10, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Infinity"](https://www.amazon.com/Infinity/dp/B007GALGAK/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1357846783&sr=1-1&keywords=Shtar). *Amazon*. Retrieved January 11, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["SHTAR – PASSOVER SONG – So Decide"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbg3hgLWigE). YouTube. April 9, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Lights: An Inspiring Hanukkah Music Video"](https://www.aish.com/h/c/mm/s/Light-An-Inspiring-Hanukkah-Music-Video.html). [Aish.com](/source/Aish_HaTorah). December 10, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Poch, Raphael (December 14, 2015). ["Haredi rap band Shtar hopes to make it at Eurovision"](https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204862#.Vm8Xj-Jy3IU). *[Arutz Sheva](/source/Arutz_Sheva)*. Retrieved December 14, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sapty, Tanya (November 17, 2011). ["Haredi hip hop group rocks Tel Aviv"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111118033853/http://www.haaretz.com/culture/haredi-hip-hop-group-rocks-tel-aviv-1.396186). [Haaretz](/source/Haaretz). Archived from [the original](https://www.haaretz.com/culture/haredi-hip-hop-group-rocks-tel-aviv-1.396186) on November 18, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Shtar YNet News Interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp4IFWY3HkQ), originally conducted by Rafi Barbiro for [Ynet News](/source/Ynet_News), later posted on the band's YouTube channel. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Keisler, Max Elstein (March 5, 2012). ["Monday Music: Rap for Rabbis"](http://blogs.forward.com/the-arty-semite/152497/monday-music-rap-for-rabbis/). *The Arty Semite*. [The Forward](/source/The_Forward). Retrieved January 11, 2013. ## External links - [Official website](http://shtarmusic.com) v t e Contemporary Jewish religious music Bands 8th Day Aharit Hayamim Ashira Blue Fringe Bulletproof Stockings Diaspora Yeshiva Band Hamakor JudaBlue Moshav Band Moshe Hecht Band Moshiach Oi! Nefesh Mountain Reva L'Sheva Rogers Park Safam Shlock Rock Shtar Six13 Soulfarm StandFour The Groggers The Maccabeats The Portnoy Brothers The Rabbis' Sons Yaakov Chesed Yood Zusha Cantors Dudu Fisher Yitzchak Meir Helfgot Naftali Hershtik Yaakov Lemmer Benzion Miller Azi Schwartz Sol Zim Choirs Miami Boys Choir Shira Choir Vocolot Yeshiva Boys Choir Zamir Chorale of Boston Composers Ken Burgess Baruch Chait Debbie Friedman Eli Gerstner Ari Goldwag Yossi Green Miriam Israeli Yosef Karduner Baruch Levine Dan Nichols Abie Rotenberg Ben Zion Shenker Country Yossi Genres Jewish hip hop Jewish rock Orthodox pop music Jews in punk rock Mizrahi music Vocalists Shaindel Antelis Mordechai Ben David Moshe Reuven Isaac Bitton Nissim Black Neshama Carlebach Shlomo Carlebach Alex Clare Shloime Dachs Udi Davidi Gad Elbaz Avraham Fried Benny Friedman Debbie Friedman Shloime Gertner Shragee Gestetner Ari Goldwag Dedi Graucher Yehuda Green Moshe Hecht Bracha Jaffe Yosef Karduner Shlomo Katz Meilech Kohn Aryeh Kunstler Simcha Leiner Shulem Lemmer Baruch Levine Ohad Moskowitz Yosi Piamenta Israel Portnoy Adi Ran Shuli Rand Aharon Razel Yonatan Razel Rick Recht Ishay Ribo Chaim-Dovid Saracik Lipa Schmeltzer Michoel Schnitzler Mordechai Shapiro Shmuel Shapiro Shlomo Simcha Yaakov Shwekey Motty Steinmetz Akiva Turgeman Uncle Moishy Shmueli Ungar Beri Weber Mendy Werdyger Yeedle Werdyger Moshe Yess Country Yossi Producers Mendy Portnoy Abie Rotenberg Authority control databases National Israel Artists MusicBrainz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Shtar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtar?action=history)). 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