Amir Benayoun

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Amir Benayoun

Amir Benayoun (Hebrew: עמיר בניון) (born on August 30, 1975) is an Israeli singer-songwriter.

Biography[]

Amir Benayoun was born in Beersheba to Maxim and Esther Benayoun who moved to Israel from Morocco. His father was an oud player.[1] From a very young age he showed great interest in music, playing with his father and his brother. While devoting himself to songwriting, he made a living working in home repair jobs. He was turned away from serving in the IDF, because of a drug problem.[2] His embrace of Orthodox Judaism was inspired by one of his brothers.[3]

Music career[]

In 1999 Benayoun released his first album, "Rak Ath" (Only You), selling 40,000 copies. Shortly after it came the second album, and in 2002 his third, "Shalechet" (Fall), was a big hit, establishing Benayoun in the mainstream of Israeli music.

Additionally, he wrote and composed songs for other artists, such as Gidi Gov and Gali Atari.[4]

In 2011, Benayoun created an album in Arabic called "Zini" to support the people in the Syrian uprising.[5]

Awards and recognition[]

In 2006, Benayoun won an ACUM prize for his song, "Nitzacht Iti Hakol" but he refused to accept it and donated it instead.

Controversy[]

In November 2014, the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin cancelled a scheduled performance by Benayoun at the president's official residence, after being shocked by reading his lyric dealing with an Arab dreaming of murdering Jews, especially Jewish babies, and after a wave of controversy arose in reaction to its circulation.[3][6][7][8] Rivlin's decision was attacked from representatives of both sides of the political spectrum, by the religious for rebuffing a true patriot, by the left for intolerance of the right to free self-expression.[3] A poll by Channel 2 News suggested 42% of Israelis concur with the song's sentiments. Meretz MK Issawi Frej has requested that the singer be investigated on incitement charges.[9]

Discography[]

Albums[]

  • Rak Ath (רק את - Only You) 1999
  • Otho Makom, Otha Haruah (אותו מקום אותה הרוח - The Same Place, the Same Spirit) 1999
  • Shalechet (שלכת - Fall) 2002
  • Nizaht Iti Hakol (ניצחת איתי הכל - You Won Everything with Me) 2004
  • Hakol Ad Lechan (הכל עד לכאן - Everything until Here) 2006
  • Aluf Beshahor (אלוף בשחור - Champion in Black) 2007
  • Omed Basha'ar (עומד בשער - Standing in the Gate) 2008
  • Mahshavoth - with Yehuda Masas (מחשבות - Thoughts) 2010
  • Lada'ath Hakol (לדעת הכל - To Know Everything) 2010
  • Etz Al May'im (עץ על מים - Tree On Water) 2012
  • Shirey Eretz Ahava (שירי ארץ אהבה - Songs of a Land of Love) 2013
  • Sufa (סופה - Storm) 2015
  • Milah BaRuach (מילה ברוח - A Word in the Wind), 2016

Compilations[]

  • Sha'a Shel Or (שעה של אור - Hour of Light) 2009

Mini albums[]

  • Hamiklat (המקלט - The Shelter) 2011
  • Zini 2011 (in Arabic)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-28. Retrieved 2011-07-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ Ethan Pack, of Love And Hate,' 23 June 3, 2010 The Forward
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Uri Avnery,'The Son of My Eyes,' Counterpunch 28–29 November 2014.
  4. ^ עמיר בניון וגלי עטרי שרים יחד Archived October 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine in the website of Israeli News Company
  5. ^ http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=222196&R=R1 Israeli song becomes Syrian opposition’s soundtrack
  6. ^ Laura King, Batsheva Sobelman, 'Violent images in Israeli pop song stir controversy,' Los Angeles Times 26 November 2014.
  7. ^ Rivlin Cancels Appearance by Israeli Singer After Anti-Arab Song' The Forward 25 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Berman, Lazar:'President cancels singer’s gig over ‘racist’ song' (Nov 25, 2014) The Times of Israel"http://www.timesofisrael.com/president-cancels-singers-gig-over-racist-song/
  9. ^ 'New song 'Ahmed Loves Israel' sparks charges of racist incitement,' Israel Hayom November 25, 2014

External links[]

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