Meet Etan G | Founder & Exec. Director and always The Jewish Rapper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Etan G and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Etan, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve seen firsthand the amazing things music can do. I’ve witnessed it’s magic and power. Yet, I’ve always felt it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I noticed many musicians had a view, an opinion, a perspective, on an issue I cared about, that was skewed primarily based on media, social or otherwise. Providing a more informed view would be better suited, and more effective, if they could just see for themselves. I thought it would be great to provide an experience that would a) give notable musicians, and entertainers, a real world view and be able to learn more about the issue in a real world setting b) allow them to create and perform music, bring people, different cultures, races, religions and nationalities together and c) give the people, of this much maligned country, some great Rock ‘n Roll! I created the 501c3 non profit, Rock4Israel, to accomplish all that and more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an adopted child. Born of a Persian Jewish mother and a Persian Muslim father, raised by white Ashekanzic Jewish parents. I never really fit in from the get go. I didn’t really mind it either. I had plenty of friends and plenty of support. Moreover, I had plenty of fun, laughs and music. I didn’t stay in any one school too long. Not fitting in meant suspensions and expulsions. I had plenty of energy. I had been exposed to music, and the arts, at a young age. It spoke to me. It meant something to me. I saw the power of music, all the positive things it can do for people, at a very young age.

Growing up was a bit tumultuous and a career, in the traditional sense, seemed unrealistic. I tried the steady “nice Jewish boy” kind of jobs but with minimal success. After I received a Masters Degree in Education, thinking teaching, in the conventional sense, would be fulfilling, I was having more success at what was more of a hobby – performing.

At some point, performing, entertaining and making music started reaping financial benefits and was more fulfilling. I always loved education, learning and teaching and was able to do much of that through music. I was going on tour with a Jewish rock group “Shlock Rock” as “The Jewish Rapper.” I’d appeared on The Howard Stern Show. I’d gotten kicked off a Chabad Telethon. I was featured on the reality show “No Opportunity Wasted.” I won all the prizes on a game show and much more. In addition to writing, recording and performing, other bands sought out my other skills and brought me on tour as a drum tech, bass tech, merch guy, chef, videographer and more. I provided sound and light for other bands. I also added “tech guy” to the resume.

None of this was easy. Working gig to gig was filled with pressure. I continued to work hard, help others and build a positive, responsible and enjoyable work ethic to my name. When I’m hired for gigs they know the job will get done and we will have fun. I learned early on that it isn’t always about me. If I can make the client, other musicians and people in general, look good, I also win.

Currently, in addition to all of that, from all the relationships over built over the decades, I started a non profit called Rock4Israel which brings very notable musicians to Israel, to perform, to learn, to experience that much maligned country so they can see for themselves what’s happening there as well as play the rock n roll the peoples of that country love.

The balance between my personal, observant, Jewish life and the more secular world of rock n roll has been an interesting, at times challenging, balance. I’ve found that in my industry, and my peers in many other industries, that it takes some creativity and knowledge to make things work. It’s that constant “thinking outside the box” that has contributed to much of my success. It has not been easy but it has been a hell of a lot of fun.

My story is unique. Everyones story is unique. I love hearing peoples stories because of that. I believe when people take pride in their stories, appreciate their experiences, the good and the bad, and recognize that they’ve been handed those experiences, which will contribute to who they will become, then what they become will be authentic to themselves and others. The greatest lesson being you can plan life all you want but most of the time you’ll have to adapt to all the ups and downs. The strength of your character will carry you through. In the end, be good to each other, listen even when you don’t agree and most importantly communicate with one another. Not via text but a phone call or in person. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

In short, life is good. Every waking minute you have the opportunity to make the world just a bit better. Be productive. Don’t waste time. Don’t get sucked into things that have nothing to do with reaching your goals or connecting with people. Turn off unnecessary notifications. It can be a struggle but it will allow your thoughts to blossom into great things. Finally, on a personal note, listen to great music that moves and inspires you. Love ballads. Duets. Live instruments. Meaningful lyrics. Different genres. It does positive things to your brain that pay big dividends in the end. Good luck!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First it would depend if it’s a guy or a girl. The interests and goals would be different. Aside from that there would be a large dose of live music at various venues around Los Angeles. There would be a cigar and scotch hang, with great music, at the Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset. There would be R&B/Funk jam at Harvelles. We’d hit the Kibitz Room w/ The FOCKRs and The Whiskey A Go Go for some great rock n roll. There would be dancing at Good Times at Davey Waynes, No Vacancy or Breakroom 86. We would dress up and hit the glamorous Studio 54 like disco “Giorgios.” A beach day would be in order. Also an evening with the BBQ Jew Crew would be mandatory. And no trip would be complete without a little Torah at a Thursday night mishmar where there is camaraderie, food, drink, learning, singing and inspiration at whatever venue it’s being held at on a given week. If my best friend was visiting I would also want some relax time to catch up. Maybe a day at Wi Spa or City Spa might be in order. Whatever the case is I’d just want to walk and talk with my friend. Spend time with them. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Reminisce with them. Look ahead to the future with them and just appreciate every minute of the short amount of time we have together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many, who contributed so much to my life. Many who believed in me where others didn’t, particularly from my youth, when I needed it most, like Rabbi Isaac Lowenbraun who recently passed away. However, in entertainment and music, I felt a great work ethic to probably be the greatest trait to creative success. There were 2 that achieved great success via a great work ethic. Neither had any relation to me, or even know me, but because of how they navigated the business, and their creative genius, the great broadcaster Howard Stern and the incredible rock band RUSH were the perfect definition of a great work ethic. Their natural talents, their motivation and their hard work propelled them to the top of their respective fields. I watched, read, studied and learned about how hard they worked, how much time they put in, how much they sacrificed to achieve their goals and how they navigated the obstacles that would present themselves. I have my own set of skills and talents that apply uniquely to me. However, it is the work ethic, the hard work, the effort that makes them a reality and propels me forward.

Website: www.rock4israel.org

Instagram: @thejewishrapper @rock4israel

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/etan-g

Twitter: @thejewishrapper @rock4israel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etangmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thejewishrapper

Other: https://linktr.ee/rock4israel