Nosson Zand
| Nosson Zand | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nathan Isaac Zand |
| Also known as | Nosson Zand , NIZ |
| Born |
December 11, 1981 Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genres | Jewish hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, rapper, activist |
| Instruments | Vocals, beatboxing |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Associated acts | Matisyahu, Toots and the Maytals, The Last Poets |
| Website | kosherhiphop.com |
Nathan Issac Zand (born December 11, 1981), also known as Nosson Zand, is an American Chasidic rapper from Boston, Massachusetts.
Zand was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on December 11, 1981, which by the Jewish calendar corresponds to the 15th of Kislev 5742 (Kislev is the third month of the Jewish calendar). He is best known by his Jewish name Nosson.
Growing up in Brookline, he went to Brookline High School, where he took trumpet lessons and was exposed to rap by a friend from the projects. They spent their school days rapping in the halls, on the street, at parties, talent shows and open mic events. His first show was at the House of Blues in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He then entered Clark University where he studied French language and U.S. history.
He performed on campus with Toots and the Maytals, Heather B, The LastPoets and multiple solo gigs. Upon graduating, he went to live and work in France where he worked as an English teacher. In France he met some Hasidic Jews from the Chabad movement, and liked their way of life. He then started a new style which he called "Chasidic rap", in which he aimed to present lyrics with a positive message. He performed at night clubs and other venues throughout France. In 2004 he returned to Boston, where he worked odd jobs and played gigs in Boston, New York City, Florida and Texas. In a chance encounter in Boston he met Matisyahu and rapped for him on the . Matisyahu then asked Nosson to perform with him on Avalon, California and in South Paw in Brooklyn, New York.
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