Time for a Conversation
An interview with New York City hip-hop artist Kosha Dillz about identity, influence, and the intersection of life and art
As someone who celebrates Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s each holiday season (in addition to my birthday and many other loved ones’ birthdays throughout that same span), it’s probably no surprise that I love the holiday season and the joyful nostalgia that comes with it.
My fondness for the holidays extends to holiday music, everything from old classics like White Christmas, the movie and song, to modern jams. Discovering new holiday music is how I stumbled upon a fun Hanukkah song called “The Hanukkah Song 2.0,” a hip-hop homage to the Jewish festival of lights by Nissim Black & Kosha Dillz. It was the first time I listened to Kosha Dillz (whose emcee name is a nod to one of my other favorite things: kosher dill pickles, a staple of Jewish cuisine).
That song led me to more of Kosha Dillz’s music, which has been flying up my most-played lists. More than just his music, though, is the way that he’s been using his voice to advance meaningful dialogue as a proudly Jewish, Israeli-American in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, the ensuing war in the Middle East, and the rising antisemitism that has been affecting the Jewish diaspora and communities all around the world.
Maybe not every day is a day for joyful holiday music, and I’ve found that Kosha Dillz’s more recent material has been evergreen in my playlist. Recently, I was able to reach out to Kosha Dillz and ask him a few questions, and he was kind enough to accept. This is what he had to say:
What drew you to hip-hop and rap? Was it something you always saw yourself doing, even as a kid?
KD: Wu-Tang Clan was massive when I was coming up. I just wanted to vibe to the beats. I loved melodies. I loved the competition. I loved the angst in it. Growing up, my friends were all into it, too, and it just came naturally. I’ve been at it full-time for over a decade now.
Who are your music influences?
KD: Kid Cudi, Pantera, Metallica, Herb Alpert, Matisyahu, Wu-Tang Clan, and Notorious B.I.G., to name a few.
I know you’ve performed with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Big Boi from Outkast, and you’ve also done three songs with Matisyahu, including “Dodging Bullets.” What was that experience like?
KD: That song was great. It took me around the world with him, and we played it with hundreds of thousands of people. It was about dodging bullets, literally and figuratively.
You’ve been someone who’s been putting yourself out there as someone who’s using their platform to speak out against antisemitism, whether it’s in your music or your social media pages. Do you feel almost obligated to use your music to speak out as an activist, or can music just be music?
KD: No! First of all, to me, it’s not an act. Sticking up for being Jewish and speaking out against hate is not “activism” to me because this is not an act. I’ve always had Jewishness in my music, though, so this isn’t a massive switch. My biggest song before Bring the Family Home was [the] Hanukkah Song. But yeah, most of my music [earlier in my career] was love songs, fun stuff, and dumb ideas that were increasing laughter.
In “Bring the Family Home,” you have a line, “Put a yarmulke on/not even religious with it.” Can you elaborate on what you mean by that lyric?
KD: I like to identify with Jewishness. It can be a shirt with Hebrew on it, a song, a yarmulke, publically telling people I am Jewish/Israeli, or wearing something Israel related on a shirt from @Shalomclothing.
What is your goal with your music?
KD: I want to express my thoughts and let people hear them, regardless of where they are. I want to help people come together with others who aren’t like them.
What do you want your legacy to be?
KD: Someone who stood up for all people amidst the chaos, and even when uncomfortable, I tried to make them laugh.
Thank you to Kosha Dillz for taking time out of his busy tour schedule to answer my questions. You can find his music on Spotify and YouTube, and follow him on Instagram @KoshaDillz and at koshadillzworld.com.
