Blood of Abraham

Blood of Abraham was an American hip-hop duo composed of Benyad (Benjamin Mor) and Mazik (David Saevitz).[1] They debuted in 1993 with the release of the LP Future Profits on Ruthless Records, the label of Eric "Eazy-E" Wright.[2]

Blood of Abraham
Also known as	BOA
Origin	Los Angeles, California Santa Monica, California
Genres	Alternative hip hop, Jewish hip hop, West Coast hip hop
Years active	1993-2000
Labels	Ruthless, Relativity, Atomic Pop
Associated acts	Eazy-E, Atban Klann, Epic Mazur
Members	MC Mazik MC Benyad

A key characteristic of the group was their unapologetic Jewish identity.[3] Their best-known track is "Niggaz and Jewz (Some Say Kikes)", an irreverent call for black–Jewish unity in the face of shared struggle against bigotry. Made at the height of the strain on Black-Jewish relations in the United States. its opening sample was an actual recording of the ravings of a Ku Klux Klansman, and it featured a spirited verse from Eazy-E as well as the first recorded appearance by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas known then as Will 1X (the group was then known as "Atban Klann".) Other tracks dealing with Jewish themes were "Father of Many Nations" (a song in praise of the Biblical patriarch Abraham) and "Stick To Your Own Kind".

A video was shot for the track "Stabbed by the Steeple," and print ads were centered on large text proclaiming "Jesus was a Black Jew," but the album did not receive much publicity beyond that.[1] Blood of Abraham fell into anonymity; their status worsened in 1995 with the death of Eazy-E and the subsequent folding of the Ruthless and Relativity Records labels.

Mazik and Benyad then went on hiatus until 2000, which saw the unofficial release of the LP Eyedollartree on Mastergrip Records, which folded shortly thereafter. Eyedollartree featured guest appearances from rappers Kool Keith and Divine Styler, as well as will.i.am. Basement Records oversaw the official release of Eyedollartree (with bonus DVD) in late 2005.[4]

As of late, former Blood of Abraham member Benjamin Mor has become an in-demand music video director.[5] He has directed clips for Nas, Katy Perry and a few music videos for the Black Eyed Peas.[6]

Discography

Album information
Future Profits Released: November 16, 1993 Chart positions: N/A Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles: "Stabbed By The Steeple", "Life"
Eyedollartree Released: May 2, 2000 Chart positions: N/A Last RIAA certification: N/A Singles: "99¢ Lighter" "Velvet Glove", "Iron Fist"

References

1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 40. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
2. "The time Eazy-E signed Van Nuys Jewish Rappers, Blood of Abraham". Passion of the Weiss. 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
3. Mullen, Brendan (2000-11-15). "Rap and Revelation". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
4. "Blood of Abraham: Eyedollartree". PopMatters. 2005-09-29. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
5. "Ben Mor". Wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com. 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
6. "Black Dog USA". Ben Mor. rsafilms.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.