Matisyahu has teamed up with Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz, to bring this Semetic anthem as a protest against recent attacks toward Jewish and Israeli people. The music video, set in the desert, features the two artists, performing soulfully as dancers accompany them in the background. Kosha Dillz is the son of immigrant parents from Israel and strongly identifies with his Jewish heritage by rapping in both Hebrew and English. Also identifying as a Jewish artist, Matisyahu was inspired to speak out against anti-semitism because of an event that happened in his life.
When asked about the song, Matisyahu explained, " 'Dodging Bullets' started as a reference to the anti-Semitic attacks against Jews and Israelis by the BDS movement but its meaning extends beyond that. It is in reference to an event that occurred to me last summer in which the BDS chapter in Valencia, Spain applied pressure to a Spanish festival demanding that I write a letter or make a video of political intention in essence denouncing the state of Israel. When I refused to reply as they demanded I was thrown off the festival just days before the event and while I was already touring in Europe.
This particular “bullet" backfired on the BDS movement as Jews and Non Jews spoke up about the injustice of the only publicly recognized Jew on the festival line-up being called out to promote a political agenda. The outcry from fans of all backgrounds grew loud enough that even the country of Spain itself denounced the festival for giving into the BDS movement and as a result the festival asked me to perform again. My band and I accepted the re-invitation and performed in front of tens-of-thousands of peace loving concert goers while approximately a hundred BDS "bullies" created a pyramid of antagonism trying to block my view of the fans while waiving large Palestinian flags, continually giving me the middle finger, and throwing shoes at me all while holding signs reading insults like “Naziyahu.”
This kind of behavior only seeks to create more animosity and anger, which is what I felt initially during the performance. At some point however, I began to "dodge these bullets of hatred" and found myself feeling a deep sense of empathy for mankind and God. The song 'Dodging Bullets' in turn is not just a political statement geared at the BDS movement or the Israeli/Palestinian conflict but one of an existential and spiritual revolution, whereby one is able to dodge the bullets meant to knock you off your true life's mission as a human being on this planet: to love with all of your heart, soul, and might!!! And to turn bullets of hatred into the music of the soul "
Kosha Dillz will be performing at Hunnypot Live at the Mint on September 5. 7pm, all ages, and free.
