With the country at war, it was an unusual time to put together a rap album with dozens of Israel’s top performers, but producer Tomer Gershenman has been working on “Mitz LaMax,” his album with 71 performers, for more than two years.

“Mitz LaMax,” loosely translated as Juice to the Max, is a compilation of 16 new original songs recorded by Israeli rappers, including Tuna, Ravid Plotnik, Eden Derso, Jimbo J, Peled, Sima Noon, as well as Kobi Oz, Shaanan Streett, Nunu and others.

But it’s more than that. It’s a passion project by Gershenman and his musical partner and friend, Matan Sharon, who have hip-hop and rap in their blood, with production assistance from Roy Doron, the creative partner of rapper Jimbo J.

It was Gershenman and Sharon’s idea to bring together dozens of rappers of all ages in one album, in a celebration of the genre and its place in Israeli music.

They had never produced an album before and it took two and a half years, but it finally came out in December.

It’s an album that will presumably be loved by anyone already familiar with the genre in Israel, but it resonates for those less acquainted with it as well.

There are familiar voices here, such as Kobi Oz and Shaanan Streett, Ravid Plotnik, Peled, Jimbo J and Tomer Yosef. All told, “Mitz LaMax” includes 71 performers and 19 musical producers and is

© The Times of Israel