Wired 25: The 25 Coolest Jews In The Game

Behind plenty of successful Hip-Hop acts, there is usually a pretty powerful Jewish guy making moves. These are [sort of] facts. It doesn’t mean that any of them are corny people, in fact quite the contrary. Most of these cool white dudes are some of the most influential people in Hip-Hop.

From label heads, managers, rappers, actors and more, Jews and Hip-Hop have gone together like peanut butter and jelly since its inception. With Yom Kippur recently passing, this week’s Wired 25 is dedicated to some of the coldest Jews in all of Hip-Hop. Drop one of your jew bro’s a Mazel Tov and then get to clicking down below.
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25. Necro

24. Amar’e Stoudemire

Amar’e Stoudemire recently discovered his Jewish roots and decided to head back to the Holy Land and find himself. L’chaim!

23. Xaphoon Jones

Chiddy Bang’s made a habit of toeing the line of mainstream and Hip-Hop. Thank the man behind the boards, Xaphoon Jones.

22. Tracee Ellis Ross

The Girlfriends star who warned Kanye about leaving her for a white girl in the “Touch The Sky” video is the daughter of Diana Ross and her Jewish father.

21. Matisyahu

Matisyahu’s “King Without A Crown” was a certified gold record that mixed reggae, rock and Hip-Hop like never before. He also played the role of  played the role of Tzadok in the 2012 film,  The Possession

20. Dave Mays

The controversial Dave Mays along with fellow Jew Jon Schecter founded the most iconic magazine in Hip-Hop history, The Source. 

18. and 19. Jeff And Eric Rosenthal

Jeff and Eric Rosenthal’s hilarious style of interviews which stemmed from their classic internet skits solidified the brothers as two of Hip-Hop’s coolest jews.

17. Peter Rosenberg

Peter Rosenberg’s battle for real Hip-Hop on the biggest station in New York City is a never ending fight. 1/3 of Hot 97’s Morning Crew is quick to drop “The Realness,” on anyone who doubts his pedigree (Shouts to Triple H).

16. MC Serch

As one third of 3rd Bass, the Queens resident found success with the progressive rap group as well as hosting egotrip’s White Rapper Show and coining the term “gas face.”

15. The Alchemist

The Alchemist has produced some of the most iconic songs in Hip-Hop history including Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, Nas, Lil Wayne, Eminem and tons more.

14. Steve Rifkind

Steve Rifkind is the CEO and Founder of the now defunct label, Loud Records, which housed acts such as  Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Three 6 Mafia, and Big Pun. His only foray into film was the cult classic, Paid In Full starring Mekhi Phifer and Cam’Ron as well as overseeing the careers of Asher Roth, Akon, Melanie Fiona and David Banner.

13. Paul Rosenberg

Paul Rosenberg is the head of Shady Records along with Eminem, whom he manages. He’s appeared on every one of Eminem’s albums except Recovery in skits playing himself. 

12. DJ Drama

DJ Drama, whose mother is Jewish, is one of the most influential DJs in Hip-Hop history. He’s helped craft classic mixtapes from Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, T.I., Gucci Mane, Pharrell and countless others.

11. Mac Miller

Mac Miller, one of the more obvious Jews on this list, holds the Billboard record for the biggest debut week for an Independent Hip-Hop artist and the youngest member of Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings this year.

10. Lenny Kravitz

One of the last true Rock stars alive, Lenny Kravitz has collaborated with Jay-Z, won multiple Grammys, and can probably take your girlfriend and your girlfriends mom at the same damn time.

9. Clive Davis

Clive Davis is the founder of Arista Records, which birthed labels like J, Bad Boy, and LaFace. In that roundabout way, he brought the world such acts like Whitney Houston, Alcia Keys, Babyface, Outkast, Usher, Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G. and more.

7. Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin founded Def Jam Records. He’s been a credit to the careers of Jay-Z, The Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, Sheryl Crow and Johnny Cash. How’s that for range?

6. Sammy Davis Jr. 

You don’t think he’s Hip-Hop? Sammy Davis Jr. was part of the friggin’ Rat Pack. They invented swag. Sammy Davis Jr. converted to Judiasm after a car accident nearly claimed his life.

5. Drake 

The great Jewish Hip-Hop hope, Drake is currently one of the biggest names in music. The half jewish singer/rapper/songwriter has already set the record for most number one hits on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart with thirteen, and as a rap artist, he has the most number one hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, with ten.

4. Lyor Cohen

The HJIC (Head Jew In Charge), Lyor Cohen is the former road manager for Run-DMC as well as managing the legendary Raising Hell tour.  He was then made head of a key part of UMG sub-label, Island Def Jam, where he led the growth of its roster of artists and record labels, including Def Jam, Island Records, Roc-A-Fella, and Def Soul. Cohen’s also oversaw the careers of Jay-Z, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Slayer and Jon Bon Jovi. He recently left Warner Music Group which included labels like Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Maybach Music Group, Warner Bros. Asylum and more.

3. 2. and 1. The Beastie Boys

The Beasties broke new ground in Hip-Hop. Orginally a hardcore punk band, the trio broke through when they signed to Def Jam Records and dropped one of the greatest rap albums of all time, License To Ill. They’ve released seven platinum albums in their nearly twenty year career, solidifying themselves as the highest selling rap group of all time.