Erez Safar

Erez Safar (also known by his stage name Diwon, formerly dj handler) is the founder and director of Shemspeed (the largest, most diverse Jewish music website), Modular Moods (an independent record label), Hip Hop Sulha, and The Sephardic Music Festival. As a multicultural maestro, he produces a mix of Yemenite and Sephardic music blended with electro hip hop beats. Influenced heavily by his family that migrated from Yemen to Ethiopia and finally settled in Israel, his music reflects the multicultural tapestry that is Israel. His live set brings together textural fusions of live and recorded sound and often are accompanied by singers from various backgrounds.

Erez Safar has performed with Lou Reed, Anthony Coleman, DJ Spooky, Matisyahu, Steinski, Idan Raichel, to name a few. London Radio's 104.4 FM called him, "one of New York's hottest Jewish musicians;" URB MAGAZINE listed him amongst their NEXT 1000, The Village Voice stated that his work "as producer and DJ is among the most adventurous and banging on the new Jewish music scene;" the Jerusalem Post dubbed him, "Jewish music's multimedia mogul;" Forward listed him as one of the Top 50 "most influential Jews of 2007;" The Jewish Week listed him amongst their "36 under 36", and Heeb Magazine listed him in their "Heeb Hundred."