Remember the Israeli keffiyeh controversy? Semitic Swag, the LA “lifestyle brand” behind it, is headed by Erez Safar, a DJ/producer who is perhaps better known for his non-sartorial endeavors. And he’s just made another musical splash.
Safar, who performs under the moniker Diwon, has just dropped his first solo album. Called “New Game,” the album fuses samples of Middle Eastern folk music with urban American hip-hop beats, creating a sound that would feel at home both in the Arab shuk and in a bouncin’ Baltimore club.
These days Safar is probably best known as the founder of Bancs, a music and video production company, the founder of the Sephardic Music Festival, and the CEO of Shemspeed, which doesn’t just sell kosher keffiyehs—it’s also one of the only independent record labels specializing in Jewish music.
“New Game,” which features a bevy of underground rappers sharing the mic over Safar’s beats, is a notable addition to Safar’s already bursting-at-the-seams musical resume. We’re pretty psyched.
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Listen to a teaser from Diwon’s new album:
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Watch an interview with Erez Safar
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