Rapper and Wild ’N Out star Kosha Dillz on Kanye West, antisemitism, and people performing Nazi salutes during his shows
Kosha Dillz (real name Rami Matan), the rapper and star of the MTV reality television programme Wild ’N Out, appeared on the most recent episode of Podcast Against Antisemitism where he spoke about using his music to tackle antisemitism.
This podcast can be listened to here, or watched here.
“I was always vocal about strong Jewish identity,” he said.
Mr Matan went viral last year with his song ‘Death Con 3’, a tongue-in-cheek reference to a threatening tweet made by the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, towards Jewish people when he wrote: “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con [sic] 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.”
Ye went on to embark on a slew of antisemitic tirades, including engaging in Holocaust-denial. During an appearance on conspiracist Alex Jones’ show, he would say that Hitler was “a cool guy” who “didn’t kill six million Jews. That’s just factually incorrect.”
Mr Matan, describing his writing process behind the hit song aimed at Ye, said at the time he thought: “I’m gonna go berzerk, and we’re just gonna do it and see what happens…I got a lot of private messages when I released that song from people who will support me but are afraid to share…people are afraid to speak up and say things.”
The rapper revealed that at times, he draws on real-life instances of antisemitism.
“I’ve had tons of experiences [of antisemitism]…I remember being at a show and somebody doing a Hitler salute, people saying ‘Free Palestine’,” he said.
Mr Matan said that he remembers people claiming that the performing of the Nazi salute at his show was “just a joke”.
He said: “That’s the lack of awareness of what is funny and what is not. I’m all for a good joke, I really am, but I remember that, I was like ‘Hmm, noted’. When I get the opportunity, I have a conversation with people, but some people will just never learn, and then you look down the line at people that do that, they have all kinds of other issues.”
Asked how individuals can help tackle antisemitism, he said that people should “Amplify your Jewish friends’ voices. I think sharing Jewish content to your social media pages is a real easy thing.”
He added: “Pan to your strengths. If you have money but you’re socially awkward – which is fine, I’m not saying I’m not socially awkward, I am – donate some money, if that’s the easiest thing. Give money to a charity. There’s no right way or wrong way to help. We need allies, we always need friends.”
Podcast Against Antisemitism, produced by Campaign Against Antisemitism, talks to a different guest about antisemitism each week. It streams every Thursday and is available through all major podcast apps and YouTube. You can also subscribe to have new episodes sent straight to your inbox.
Previous guests have included comedian David Baddiel, television personality Robert Rinder, writer Eve Barlow, Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter Autumn Rowe, and actor Eddie Marsan.
