Kosha Dillz Talks About How Hip-Hop Saved His Life
In hip-hop, the idea of the Jewish emcee isn’t a new concept. One of the most prolific hip-hop groups in rap history — Beastie Boys featured three of Jewish MCs. Other Jewish hip-hop artists include 3rd Bass’ MC Serch, El-P of Run the Jewels, producer Alchemist, the recently-departed Mac Miller and even Spotify’s most streamed artist of the decade, Drake.
Born in New Jersey to immigrant Israeli parents, Rami Even-Esh is another in a long line of notable Jewish emcees. He came up in the freestyle battle rap circuit and even competed at the famed Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. Even-Esh was going by the moniker KD Flow at the time — a derivative of the Kosher Dill name he was previously using. Even-Esh was also an accomplished wrestler, but both drug dealing and addiction would derail that. In 2005, after two stints in jail for selling drugs, Even-Esh, now once again with a sense of pride in his heritage and going by Kosha Dillz, released his first music.
His first album, Beverly Dillz, would follow in 2009. Hip-hop has taken him all over the world, and the rapper has been known to travel across seas to perform for just minutes. His latest journey has taken him to Israel.”
