Jews and Jamaicans: Yah, Jah - a history of Hip Hop -- Pre-draft story in development

I am writing this story a little each day…

As Hip Hop celebrates 50 years, it is time to cut deep into its origins to see its roots -- Jamaican Rastafarianism, sound systems, remixes and reggae AND New York Jewish finance, talent development, management and artistry. 

It all comes together in Desmond Dekker & the Aces’s reggae 1968 hit “Israelites.” Breaking the charts in UK at number 1 and reaching # 9 in the US, this song connects both of the threads I propose above.

Hip hop in the US broke out with the Suger Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” which was financed by Morris Levy, a ‘very’ active financier in early music and hip hop. Yah, he was Jewish.

It took two tries and many hours to find a Jewish connection to the first charting hip hop song (and older that the Sugar Hill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight) King Tim III (Personality Jock). The Rifkind’s (already a Jewish name) played a big roll in this event.

Here is a source for their connection and a great overview and deep view of Jewish contributions