The Masked Singer
The Masked Singer
Who is this marvelous new talent known just as 'מ (M)? No one knows...
A few weeks ago, I found myself doing the regular rounds on YouTube and Spotify for new Israeli music. I soon came across a cover of a Jasmin Moallem song (יחפים - yechefim) that was of a very high quality. I searched my mind for a familiar Israeli singer that I could match the voice to. This mystery singer sounded far beyond amateur and I was sure it was one of the current greats. I looked up at the screen and saw this picture below. A covered face with only soft eyes looking through. He looked out as a singer/warrior/songwriter.
The Man Behind the Mask
This section title might have you believe that I (or anyone else) have any personal information about this person. You would be mistaken. The only things I have found are not personal in nature, but rather recent accomplishments.
In the realm of his military service, M (also known as Undercover M) is a member of one unit among several called the mistarveem - “מסתערבים” who go undercover amongst Arab populations in order to gather intelligence (more details here). This need to preserve his cover is the reason that M does not show his face1.
According to Mako, M recently signed a recording contract with Ilai Eliyahu, one of the most successful producers in the music industry. He also takes every opportunity away from action to record music with the likes of production dynamic duo, Doli and Penn2.
TikTok Sensation
At the beginning of the war, M shared a video on TikTok of him singing Jasmin Moallem’s song ‘Yechafeem’, which went viral and gained millions of views. After two hellish months of fighting, he headed to a studio to record his cover of the song, which would tally almost 1 million listens on Spotify3. It would eventually gain so much traction that Jasmin Moallem heard it and went to his base to sing it with him (video below).
M was later invited by beloved singer Odeya to perform with her at a concert for soldiers at the Reading 3 venue in Tel Aviv.
In April 2024, M released his own mini-album with a hit, אני חוזר (ah-nee choe-zehr - I’m coming back), that made it to #5 on the Galgalatz weekly chart of hits. Earlier this month, M was named as the “Breakout Star of the Year” by Kan Gimel - Kan Channel 11’s music station. His newest song is called Bnei Brak or Arak.4
The Combat Singers
On September 5, Yarden Avni of Calcalist released an article on the new generation of singers who served in combat units in the army, such as Idan Amedi, Raviv Kaner, and Yagel Oshri. He writes about Amedi being the trailblazer for writing songs about PTSD and the painful details of war. Others followed him with more and more songs over the years describing time in the army5.
“All these (combat themes) are not foreign topics to the Israeli mainstream. On the contrary, they represent some of the most common motifs in male pop of recent years. Even singers who did not serve in combat, such as Itai Levy (who served as a sergeant major) or Benaia Barabi (military police), sing about mental crises and their collision with the rugged ethos of masculinity.” (A solid Google Translate job from the original Hebrew) - Yarden Avni
As if he needed to win anyone else over, M wrote a heartfelt note along with his cover of יחפים / Yechefim to his fans and to all of the people of Israel6:
"Dear people of Israel,
For two months now we have been in continuous fighting and providence suddenly hides its face so that it is a little difficult to see the good. But so many years of history will testify that there has never been a nation as victorious as the people of Israel. The unity that exists here, the love and the giving, we are always reminded of what we are fighting for.
I want to thank you personally for your support, you have really moved me and made me happy. When we went out for a short break, I recorded the full song so you can hear it and enjoy it, until the day comes when I can sing to you even without the mask. I dedicate this song to the united and strong people of Israel.
Love with you,
M."
Here is the video of M and Jasmin Moallem singing together that was an early part of this adventure:
Song of the Week
אני חוזר
Ah-nee choe-zaer
I’m returning/coming back
This is a beautiful and soulful song that I hope will come true soon. May ‘מ and his fellow soldiers return home soon in good health.
Slang of the Week
בשושו
be-shoo-shoo
Done quietly or secretly (as M’s army service is)
Thank you kindly for reading this week’s post. I hope that you will continue to read and enjoy.
As we approach the beginning of Season 2 of the podcast after Sukkot and continue to put out weekly content here on the Substack, I would be grateful if you’d consider contributing to this project. Any contribution you make is tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Jewish Creativity International. More info is available here. A small contribution can go a long way as we grow. Even if not with a contribution, you taking the time to read these posts means a lot to me. Thank you!
Thank you for your partnership as we learn and grow.
Wishing you a Shabbat shalom and a quiet and safe weekend!
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מ’ (זמר).https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%9E%27_(%D7%96%D7%9E%D7%A8)
המסתערב שהפך לכוכב: "עד שיגיע היום שאוכל לשיר גם בלי המסכה. "https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-75577d0f3235c81027.htm
מ’ (זמר).https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%9E%27_(%D7%96%D7%9E%D7%A8)
המסתערב שהפך לכוכב: "עד שיגיע היום שאוכל לשיר גם בלי המסכה. "https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-75577d0f3235c81027.htm
Avni. Yarden. מעידן עמדי עד מ' המסתערב: מה מייחד את ז'אנר הזמרים הקרביים?. https://www.calcalist.co.il/magazine/article/sytmxknhc
המסתערב שהפך לכוכב: "עד שיגיע היום שאוכל לשיר גם בלי המסכה. "https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-75577d0f3235c81027.htm