Artists
Artist Profile
Sagol 59
- Contact
- Label - aaron@jdubrecords.org
Booking - jacob@jdubrecords.org
Marketing/Retail - elliot@jdubrecords.org
Publicity - emily@jdubrecords.org - Links
Little Johnny -
Corner Prophets - Website
Over the years Sagol 59 has earned a reputation for his sharp social commentary and has gained nearly as much respect for his outspoken attitude as he has for his music. Sagol’s dynamic witticisms and unfailing willingness to draw from both contemporary and traditional sources set him apart from the throngs of Israeli MCs such as Subliminal and his “TACT Family crew” that are currently dominating Israel’s pop market.
Raised on Kibbutz Ein Hachoresh just north of Tel Aviv, Khen Rotem took the name Sagol 59 (“Purple 59”) from his Kibbutz-issue laundry tag. After his required three-year stint in military intelligence for the Israeli Defense Force, Sagol turned to music, beginning his career in blues, funk and rock before finding his voice in hip hop. Shortly after he relocated to Jerusalem, Sagol was picked up by the city’s seminal—and now defunct—indie label, Fact Records.
JDub Records President Aaron Bisman met Sagol in 2000 at one of his first performances at the now closed Syndrome in Jerusalem. Their connection was maintained through a mutual friend, Ben Blutstein, who served as Sagol's DJ for a time and died in the 2002 Hebrew University bombing. Sagol's song "BIG BEN" stands not only as a moving tribute to a lost friend, but as the single most powerful and meaningful song to come out of the Israeli hip hop scene. “I have always admired the artistry and passion he pours into his work,” said Bisman.
Sagol has received much critical praise for his numerous groundbreaking collaborations with both Israeli and international artists, particularly “Summit Meeting” (feat. Tamer Nafar of Palestinian crew DAM & Shaanan Streett of Hadag Nachash), the first-ever collaborative recording featuring both Israeli and Arab MCs. He regularly hosts the Corner Prophets/Old Jeruz Cipher Hip Hop series, a cultural initiative meant to unite the diverse cultural communities located in Jerusalem through a shared interest in hip-hop. By working with Corner Prophets, Sagol’s goal is to inspire a new generation of Israelis and Palestinians that turn to art—not violence—as a means to find a common ground. Because of his groundbreaking work in this area, JDub brought Sagol (along with Tamar Nafar) to participate in 2004’s historic Unity Sessions concert in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, which featured Israeli, Arab, Jewish, and Muslim musicians. The Unity Sessions was the first event of its kind to occur in the United States and drew over 4,000 fans, garnering attention from URB Magazine, Scratch Magazine, CNN, NPR, The New York Times and Newsweek.
Besides his extensive collaborations with Middle Eastern MCs, Sagol has also worked with artists like DJ Spooky, Michael Franti, Yossi Fine and Killah Priest.
Though he has released four albums to date, Sagol has finally sets his sights on the US with his latest record, Make Room, to be released digitally May 6th 2008 on JDub Records. The album is both danceable and thoughtful, as its title refers to the literal ‘making room’ for peace in the Middle East. Produced by Johnny Hakatan (Little Johnny), a seventeen year-old dynamic Israeli prodigy, Make Room is the next step in the evolution of Sagol 59 as a permanent figurehead of international hip-hop. Together, they have delivered an album that is simultaneously chaotic, exciting, irreverent and political. These are hypnotizing beats, borne out of the mystical, bold rhythms of the climates in which they were created. Sagol’s newest masterpiece, Make Room, promises to be an album that will captivate listeners across the globe.
Latest_news
New Israeli Mixtape For Free Download
Israel’s dynamic turntable duo, DJ Alarm & Ori Shochat are at it again, with a dope new mixtape filled to the brim with blazing Hip-Hop, Reggae and Dancehall tunes, as well as exclusives from Israeli artists and shout outs from various international superstars. Shouts to the homey Gon Alon of Broken Fingaz crew for the bangin artwork
Tracklist after the jump
Tracklist:
1. Intro Watch Out Tel-Aviv
2. Erykah Badu & Bilal - Jump Up In The Air and Stay There
3. Karolina - Charlie Attack
4. Major Lazer & Mr. Vegas & Jovi Rockwell - Can’t stop now
5. Jay Electronica - Suckas
6. Drake - Forever
7. Soulforce & Ward 21 - The Power rmx
8. Lukach - Brandon Walsh
9. De Tropix - Brap
10. Red Fox - Bounce
11. Soul-J - No MOre War Inna Israel
12. Jabari & Nicki Minaj - Dopeman
13. Que B.I.L.L.A.H. & The Cool Kids - I Got Colors
14. Interlude Dubba
15. Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter
16. Axum - New Kid On The Block
17. Wale - My Sweetie
18. Pitbull & Lil Jon vs. Liquid Liquid vs Can
19. Dam-Funk vs Madonna vs Snoop Dogg
20. South Rakkas Crew & Serocee - Dance Wid We
21. Beenie Man - Gimme Gimme Gimme
22. Ortega - Gimme Touch Me Gimme
23. Interlude Beatnuts
24. Gangsta Red - I Should Tell Ya Momma on You (Dam-Funk Rmx)
25. DJ 2000F - You Don’t Know What Love Is
26. Carlton Livingston - 100 Weight Of Collie Weed on dub
27. Crookers & Kelis - No Security
28. Ronit Rasta - Dvash (Ori Shochat & Dj Alarm Remix)
29. Metro & Peled & Chulu - Greek Tel-Aviv
30. Soom-T - Flying High
31. Ludacris & Rick Ross - How Low Remix
32. Schlachthofbronx - Ayoba (DJ Alarm Remix)
33. Produx - Blocc Madness
34. Eagger & Stunn Gunn - Morder Dem (JSL Remix)
35. Interlude Jazzy Jay
36. Laura Vane & The Vipertones - You Give Me What I Want
37. Method & Redman vs. Kutiman
38. The Nextmen & Dynamite MC - Round Of Applause
39. Cohen@Mushon - Round Of Gorillaz
40. Mos Def - B-Boy Document 2010
41. Avraham Tal - Orot (Ori Shochat Remix)
42. Soulico & Rye Rye - Exotic On The Speaker (Shochat & Alarm Rmx)
43. Terry Lynn & Johan Hugo - Jamaican Girls
44. Ya Manz - Mekaven Gavoa (prod By Ori SHochat)
45. Snoop Dogg & Kid Cudi - That Tree (Ori Shochat & DJ Alarm Remix)
Rhymefest raps about visiting Israel on new album
Excellent Chicago M.C Rhymefest has a dope new album out called “El Che”. In this here new song, “Give It To Me”, he rhymes about visiting Israel. Rhymefest performed in Tel Aviv along with producer Mark Ronson about a year and a half ago.
Sagol track used in mega popular Israeli T.V series
Asfur (”Birds” in Arabic) is a comic crime drama series, which went on air on March 7, 2010 and gained massive popularity among millions of viewers in Israel. Asfur’s creators are Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir, who also play the main roles in the series. The series tells the story of four pot-smoking, laid back friends who live in discarded buses at an abandoned farm, on the margins of an industrial zone in Jerusalem and struggling to keep possession of the farm, by raising money in various ways, most of them barely legal…
Many current Israeli songs were featured in the acclaimed series and the creators chose to feature “Jerusalem” by Sagol 59 featuring Shaanan Streett and Rebel Sun, from the JDub album Make Room, on the very series’ very last episode (episode #50)
Israeli-German-Palestinian Hip Hop Jam In Jerusalem
Some of the top names of Israeli, German and Palestinian Hip Hop will gather this Wednesday at the Yellow Submarine in Jerusalem to make connections and bust some dope rhymes. Organized by Heartbeat Jerusalem and the Willy Brandt Center, in association with Corner Prophets. If you’re in J-Town this week, make sure you’re there.
DJ Rob & Sagol 59 Talk Hip Hop on Israeli TV
Recently, YNET TV invited JDubbers Sagol 59 and Eyal Rob (of Soulico) to talk about Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and whether Hip Hop has completely gone pop.
Watch the entire episode here (Sagol and Rob appear near the 25 minute mark).
Video
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Move Forward (Lech Kadima)
Photos
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Rooftop Roots Volume III
A JDub Mixtape - (v/a)
2007
Out Of Stock
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No events are scheduled for Sagol 59.
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