Check Out Etan G’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Etan G.

Hi Etan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve seen firsthand the amazing things music can do. I’ve witnessed its magic and power. Yet, I’ve always felt it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I noticed many musicians had a view, an opinion, a perspective, on an issue I cared about, that was skewed primarily based on media, social or otherwise. Providing a more informed view would be better suited, and more effective if they could just see for themselves.

I thought it would be great to provide an experience that would a) give notable musicians, and entertainers, a real-world view and be able to learn more about the issue in a real-world setting b) allow them to create and perform music, bring people, different cultures, races, religions and nationalities together and c) give the people, of this much-maligned country, some great Rock ‘n Roll! I created the 501c3 nonprofit, Rock4Israel, to accomplish all that and more.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t believe anything worth doing should be a smooth road. If there isn’t some sort of adversity, some obstacles to overcome, then you will likely take the whole mission for granted. One should have a sense of purpose and mission and the test of its value, its importance, is the desire to overcome whatever obstacles are presented. Though we hope the adversity is as minimal as possible.

In the case of Rock4Israel the hardest part is the fundraising. It’s a 501c3 nonprofit that subsists on donors, contributors and sponsors. Receiving the funds has been the biggest struggle, and also not my natural skillset. I’ve had to summon all my balls to reach out to people to request and receive donations. I value my relationships with people and this has definitely taken it all to another level.

Another struggle is all the paperwork and bureaucratic nonsense that has to be dealt with quite often and is quite time-consuming. I submit the necessary paperwork. Two months later they say it wasn’t submitted. There’s no one to talk to on the phone. I showed them the receipt and confirmation it was. They look into it. I get another notice that it wasn’t done. I prove that it was. It finally gets updated. Four months have gone by.

It takes a strong will, and sense of purpose, to keep going. I believe fully in the mission of Rock4Israel and will have to deal with the adversity in order to achieve the success.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an adopted child. Born of a Persian Jewish mother and a Persian Muslim father, raised by white Ashekanzic Jewish parents. I never really fit in from the get-go. I didn’t really mind it either. I had plenty of friends and plenty of support. Moreover, I had plenty of fun, laughs and music. I didn’t stay in any one school too long. Not fitting in meant suspensions and expulsions. I had plenty of energy. I had been exposed to music, and the arts, at a young age. It spoke to me. It meant something to me. I saw the power of music, all the positive things it can do for people at a very young age.

When I started performing, everything started to come together. It felt right. Up until then, I tried many of the “nice Jewish boy” jobs but none worked out. Even getting a Master’s Degree in Education was an achievement but the bureaucracy I had to deal with in the school system, made me nuts. When I got kicked off the Chabad Telethon and, shortly thereafter, appeared on the Howard Stern Show, and got the title “The Jewish Rapper”, everything exploded and that was a ride that fits just right. After touring with rock bands and producing festivals, I knew this was where my energy needed to be focused.

Music. Bringing people together. Work hard. Be kind. Have fun. Laugh. Don’t take things so seriously. Be smart. Learn. Listen. Keep an open mind. Be a great entertainer, rapper, and performer. That’s what worked. That’s what I’ve done all these years. That’s what I love.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The ability to be flexible and adapt to things as they come up. To keep moving and not overthink too many things. To listen to people and try to see things from their perspective. Most importantly, to keep up with and maintain relationships. You can’t be in this business and not have good relationships. No one will want to work with you.

Pricing:

• Feel free to contribute any amount

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rock4israel.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rock4israel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rock4israel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rock4israel/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rock4israel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rock4israelrock4israel92
• Yelp: https://www.tiktok.com/@rock4israel
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rock4israel