Nissim Black used to be a gang member and “gangsta” rapper.
He’d been to prison.
And he’d always been a faith seeker.
Now, the Seattle artist’s music focuses on the values of his religion — Judaism.
Black, who is African American, is a Hasidic Jewish rapper and he will perform a concert on Saturday evening, March 4, at the Hermosa Beach Community Theater. The Jewish Community Center, in Redondo Beach, will host the concert.
Black’s current music reflects his life, Black said, with the rapper using his rhymes to talk about tolerance, love and unity. He converted to Orthodox Judaism around 10 years ago and refocused his rap to align with his new lifestyle. (He is Hasidic, a sect of Orthodox Judaism that focuses on a soul-centered lifestyle and humility, according to Rabbi Dovid Lisbon of the JCC.)
Black was also set to be part of a Friday, March 3, Shabbat dinner at the Jewish Community Center, during which he was going to share the story of his journey “From Gangsta Rapper to Hasidic Jew.”
Black was unavailable for comment.
But his 2020 single, “Mothaland Bounce,” was a confluence of everything he’s done and everywhere he’s been, according to Black’s official bio. The video for the African-inspired song begins with Black, who grew up in Seattle, doing a rendition of the scene from the movie “Coming to America” when Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem tells Arsenio Hall’s character that he wants to stay in the unfamiliar New York instead of going back to their African home country, signifying Black finding his belonging in himself no matter where he is in life.
“His music is universal,” said Rabbi Yossi Mintz of The Jewish Community Center. “His message isn’t strictly Jewish at all; its a message of humanity. He sings about unity, how all people are the same and how we can accomplish so much together.”
Saturday will be Black’s debut performance in Southern California, Mintz said.
After a long discovery process — both musically and personally — Black finally found his true identity, according to his bio.
“All of those journeys — being in a gang, being on the football team — was a part of me trying to say, ‘I belong to something greater than myself, I don’t know where, but I belong somewhere,’” he said in his bio. “It’s almost like trying to find that home.”
Mintz was first introduced to Black’s music through his son, who had the rabbi listen to the song “Fly Away.”
“I’m personally a big fan of his,” Mintz said. “I love his story; I love people who come through struggles and try to lift people up through the process.”
“It had a deep impact on me,” Mintz said about “Fly Away,” referencing the song’s lyrics “nobody can bring me down” and “destiny is in your hands.”
Mintz said he expects the 600-seat Hermosa theater to fill up.
If you go
What: Nissim Black.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Where: The Hermosa Beach Community Theater, 710 Pier Ave.
Cost: Tickets are $30; $75 for VIP; ticks available on the JCC website or at the door.
Information: jccmb.com
