Despite some speculation, rap superstar Kendrick Lamar does not belong to the Hebrew Israelite organization of which his cousin is a member, according to the group’s leader. “He is not committed to IUIC. So, just be aware of that,” Bishop Nathanyel, the founder and leader of Israel United In Christ, a New York-based Israelite group,…
The rapper Kendrick Lamar has long explored spiritual or religious themes in his critically-acclaimed and chart-topping work. On his fourth studio album, he surprised some by evoking beliefs associated with Hebrew Israelites. “I’m an Israelite, don’t call me black no more,” Lamar recited on his April release titled “Damn.” A voicemail from someone identified as…
Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s recent lyrics referencing Hebrew Israelite doctrines were widely celebrated by members of that community as a sign that their movement is growing — but decried by some listeners as offensive and even “heretical” to Christians. “It’s a brother returning back to his nationality,” said a member of Israel United in Christ in…
The man behind Kendrick Lamar’s recent references to Hebrew Israelite doctrine is a cousin to the rapper named Carl Duckworth — who goes by Karni Ben Israel and belongs to a Hebrew Israelite group headquartered in New York. “All praises to the Most High God,” Israel wrote in a public Facebook post April 21, alongside…
Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music on Monday. Lamar also has a fascinating connection to the Hebrew Israelites, a mostly black group that claims Jewish roots. On the latest album from Grammy Award winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, the artist appears to declare himself a Hebrew Israelite — or,…
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