Rami Matan Even-Esh (; born August 26, 1981), known professionally as Kosha Dillz, is an Israeli-AmericanZeitlin, Alan (July 7, 2022) "Jewish Rapper Kosha Dillz and Israeli Comedian Or Mash Appear on Nick Cannon's 'Wild 'N Out'", The Forward. Retrieved August 4, 2023. "Dillz, whose real name is Rami-Matan Even-Esh, is from New Jersey, has lived in Israel and is a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen." rapper.Chris Faraone, "MC pals' flows are Kosha," Boston Herald, August 15, 2008. "WATCH FAT JOE JOIN NYC STREET RAPPER’S FREESTYLE IN WILD VIDEO AFTER KNICKS GAME" Maxim, October 28, 2021
He was initially exposed to hip hop at Bar Mitzvah dances, and when he heard the "funky beats in the background" of "old school bike videos" he would watch with his brother. "Kosha Dillz," UGSMAG, May 30, 2008.
He originally went by Kosher Dill, saying, "I was Jewish and I wanted something cool." He changed his name to KD Flow when he was in the battle scene because he was "ashamed" of his MC name's Jewish association. After some substance abuse issues and a stint in jail, he became Kosha Dillz, coinciding with a decision to return to his Jewish identity.
Kosha Dillz put out his first 12-inch, "Chainsaw Music", in 2005. In 2006, he appeared alongside Matisyahu on the song "Childhood" off the C-Rayz Walz album The Dropping. Two years later, C-Rayz contacted Kosha about collaborating. They released Freestyle vs. Written, an album on which Kosha rapped written verses, and Walz freestyled.Rachel Ament, "Kosha Dillz: Rhymes of a 'Nice Jewish Boy,'" The Forward, October 16, 2008. Okayplayer stated that the album contains "witty, irreverent lyrics and candor".Alison Isaac, "C-Rayz Walz and Kosha Dillz: Freestyle vs. Written," Okayplayer.com.
2009 saw the release of his debut solo LP, Beverly Dillz, recorded in Beverly Hills with local producer Belief. A lot of the LP was written while "in socks on a couch". Okayplayer called the album "an interesting mix of danceable tracks and powerful rhyming" and "at times wildly original and entertaining".D.L. Chandler, "Kosha Dillz: Beverly Dillz," Okayplayer.com.
Since 2011, he has been at work on a documentary, Kosha Dillz Is Everywhere, about his life as an Israeli-American Jewish hip hop artist. "What does it take to make it in the music biz?" Jewlicious.com, July 24, 2011. Along with Snoop Dogg and Drake, Kosha has a playable character in the basketball video game NBA 2K11. "NBA 2K11 Release Party brings in Duck Down All Stars, Common, DJ Drama + More (Video)," URB, September 21, 2010. His song "Cellular Phone" was featured in a Bud Light commercial that debuted in 2012 during Super Bowl XLVI. "Kosha Dillz - The Jet Lag EP," DJBooth.net. Accessed May 14, 2012.Jake Crates, "Kosha Dillz - Cellular Phone (Bud Light Rescue Dog - Super Bowl Song)," AllHipHop, February 8, 2012.
In 2013, Kosha's second solo album, Awkward In a Good Way, was released on Murs' label, Murs 316. Murs and producer Jesse Shatkin under the alias Belief, "Valuable Mistakes: How I Turned Freestyling Outside the GRAMMYs into a $50,000 Check" Djbooth.net, February 12, 2018 assisted in shaping the feel of the album.Erika Ramirez, "Kosha Dillz, 'Awkward In a Good Way': Exclusive Album Stream," Billboard, November 4, 2013. The album also featured Gangsta Boo of Three 6 Mafia. "kosha dillz - Where My Homies Be Feat. Gangsta Boo & Murs" Hotnewhiphop.com, October 25, 2013
What I Do All Day And Pickle was released on July 15, 2016 on Oy Vey!, led by the single "Dodging Bullets" featuring reggae artist Matisyahu. The video for "Dodging Bullets" premiered on Billboard on June 28, 2016.Lauren Craddock, "Kosha Dillz Teams Up With Matisyahu for Politically-Charged 'Dodging Bullets' Video: Exclusive Premiere," Billboard, June 28, 2016. What I Do All Day And Pickle peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, number 42 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 50 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. Kosha Dillz chart history, Billboard. Accessed January 27, 2017.
In march of 2020 Kosha collaborated and was featured on a song with EDM artist Kaskade called "Sexy".Mark Owens, "KASKADE AND KOSHA DILLZ DROP "SEXY" OFF FORTHCOMING REDUX 004 EP" Edm.com, March 20, 2020. On October 16, 2020, Dillz released his 14 track album Nobody Cares Except you that was crowdfunded on Kickstarter. "Exclusive: Kosha Dillz Discusses New Album ‘Nobody Cares Except You’" Theknockturnal.com, March 30, 2021
On October 26, 2021 Dillz was freestyle rapping outside New York Knicks Game during a Nor'easter in New York City and caught the attention of rapper Fat Joe who walked by. Fat Joe started rapping with Kosha and the performance was caught on video which caused the performance to go viral.Clem, "Knickstape Is #BACK! Fat Joe Started Rapping On The Sidewalk Outside MSG In A Goddamn Nor'Easter Last Night After The Knicks Whooping Of The Sixers" Barstoolsports.com, October 27, 2021.
October 30, 2021 Fat Joe was performing with DJ Nasty (Johnny David Mollings) of Nasty Beatmakers at the Maxim Masquerade party in Denver, Colorado, and invited Kosha Dillz up on stage to perform after seeing him in the crowd. UNILAD made a short documentary on Kosha after they saw the performance. "Kosha Dillz on leveling up after going viral with Fat Joe" Hypebot, November 14, 2021
In 2022, the Jewish Journal named him one of "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time".
In 2023, days after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel Dillz released a new single, "Bring the Family Home", where he denounces antisemitism and calls for a return of hostages.
Kosha is influenced by Wu Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and jazz artists such as Herb Alpert. Growing up, he listened to Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Wu Tang Clan, Rancid, Green Day, Metallica, Pantera and "music in Hebrew".
October 14, 2008 | Freestyle vs. Written (C-Rayz Walz & Kosha Dillz) | Modular Moods |
November 10, 2009 | Beverly Dillz | Modular Moods |
November 5, 2013 | Awkward In a Good Way | Murs 316 |
July 15, 2016 | What I Do All Day And Pickle | Oy Vey! |
October 16, 2020 | Nobody Cares Except You | Rapper Friends |
2011 | Gina & the Garage Sale | Kosha Dillz World / Foundation Productions |
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