Get ready to hear the name Nissim Black a lot more in the coming months. The rapper has been in the music business for years, but he’s making a splash with his latest single “Mothaland Bounce.”
Watch Nissim Black’s music video for “A Million Years.”
Nissim’s music is influenced by his Orthodox Judaism. In fact, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency called “Mothaland Bounce” the “most authentically Jewish song” of the year. Learn more about Nissim below.
Who Is Rapper Nissim Black?
Nissim grew up in Seattle, the son of two rappers (James “Captain Crunch” Croone and Mia Black). The 33-year-old has a complex history with religion. Growing up, he identified as Muslim but converted to Christianity as a teenager.
Starting in 2007, he released two albums under the name D. Black. After the release of album Aaliyah in 2009, Nissim renounced Christianity. He retired in 2011 and started the long process of converting to Orthodox Judaism.
However, he returned to music the next year and began recording songs that fit with his new belief system. Nissim’s wife also converted, and they currently live with their six children in Beit Shemesh, Israel.
“Right now I feel like I’m putting out a major fire with the music that I’m able to create,” Nissim said of his new, more positive approach in 2018. He said he wanted to “make Judaism cool.”
Watch Nissim Black’s music video for “Mothaland Bounce.”
Listen To Nissim’s Song ‘Mothaland Bounce’
Earlier this month, Nissim released the music video for his song “Mothland Bounce.” In just a few weeks, it has racked up over a million views on YouTube. The clip, which pays homage to the movie Coming to America, explores the intersections of Nissim’s identity.
“The three different groups are three different aspects of me,” Nissim explained in an interview. “The African dancers represent the slaves that came here to America, which is our past. And then, you have the street dancers, the urban aspect.”
He said Judaism “brought peace” for him, adding, “So the Hasidic guy, he comes to break up the two things, and he brings shalom. It was all very telling of who I was.”
“Mothaland Bounce” includes a lyric that has received positive attention in the video’s comments: “Signing off, it’s Mr. Black, Hitler’s worst nightmare.” Listen to the whole song above, and follow Nissim on Instagram for updates.
Fun fact, Nissim Black auditioned for America’s Got Talent and although his performance or audition was never shared, we do have a snippet!
Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
