MP3/Album: Nissim – “Revered”

Seattle Rapper Nissim Releases Self-Titled Album Today, Drops New Single

09.17.2013

The Song/Album:

Today Seattle rapper Nissim, formerly known as D.Black, releases his self-titled album, his first full length work since converting to Orthodox Judaism and beginning his journey as the face of what could be considered a new genre of hip-hop music. Having already released a slew of powerful, uplifting and inspiring tracks, most recently the unprecedented “Sores,” which combined hip-hop and classical Jewish music, Nissim now drops his latest single, “Revered,” to celebrate the album’s release.

“[This is] my favorite record on the album,” says Nissim, “I wanted to bring about awareness, spiritual awareness. This awareness has an impact on our actions and our thoughts. We all have our own wills, desires and goals, and we don’t realize that these things are in opposition to our true strengths and potential purpose.” He finds himself in a unique position in the realm of hip-hop, engaging topics few other rappers have, especially those in the mainstream. Drawing heavily from his faith has been the key to Nissim’s musical re-invigoration, and many of his lyrics explore his personal relationship with a higher power, something he hopes listeners of all faiths can relate to.

Even while traversing existential themes, Nissim conveys a deeply personal feeling with his music, much of it self-produced with a small group of collaborators. “I produced, wrote and performed this song alone,” he says of “Revered,” “I worked with Adam Savel for bass and Ori Hynan on the Djembe, and of course Sam Anderson replayed my string sample and did an amazing solo at the end. I became enveloped in the progression and I had chills and a teary eye moment. I felt the power of this song.”

Check out the song here: https://soundcloud.com/nissim-music/05-revered

Download the album here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nissim/id697801355

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Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with Nissim.

Nissim Background:

Nissim is a Seattle based recording artist/producer, who made his first impression nationally in 2008 as D.Black, on producer Jake One’s label, White Van Music, with the song “God Like”. While his earlier recordings were filled with tales of guns, drugs and violence, it was in 2009, with the release of Ali’ Yah that he quickly grabbed eardrums. The album was showered with accolades, landing the #12 spot on Amazon’s “Outstanding Album’s You Might Have Missed” list. It entered the CMJ Hip Hop Charts at #16, peaked at #4 for five weeks, and remained in the top 20 for nine weeks. The album’s first music video “Yesterday” entered rotation on multiple MTV networks. He performed at some of the countries most esteemed music festivals including; CMJ, SXSW, Capitol Hill Block Party, and Bumbershoot and shared the stage with NaS, Mos Def, Macklemore, Freeway, Rhymefest, Boot Camp Click and Bun B to name a few. As D.Black he teetered on the verge of becoming a household name in the underground, but something was missing, and the man who would become Nissim, found himself in the midst of a spiritual crisis. After a two-year hiatus and converting to Orthodox Judaism, Nissim dropped his former moniker and adopted a new name. He began a new journey, and in his own words aimed “to make music that inspires and elevates this world, to the world of spirituality and divine purpose.” Not your average MC, Nissim’s work is multidimensional, combining energy and passion, with a deep focus on personal growth through times of struggle.