Vibrant and full of energy, Israeli singer and songwriter Shaked Miller is the musical revelation of the year. Her career has soared with her hit song "Never Again," written after October 7, referencing the war in Israel and hostages still held by Hamas. A devoted fan of rap and RnB, Shaked utilizes her talent, strong personality, and English compositions to convey powerful messages, resonating with a broad international audience, particularly in the United States. Of Iraqi, Moroccan, and Yemeni descent, Shaked stands out wherever she goes with her clear and impactful style, poignant lyrics, and unbeatable charisma. Portrait.
"I've been making music since a young age; I wrote my first lyrics at 10, and gradually started recording sounds. At 18, I began composing rap in English, and two years later, I worked on my first album 'Best of this world,' which was released in 2023," Shaked Miller told Itonnews.
In November 2023, few days after the start of the war initiated by Hamas against Israel, Shaked was in Thailand. There, she wrote her song "Never Again," which was released on March 1, 2024. It achieved immense global success, with its clip garnering over 1.7 k views on YouTube.
"This song was a kind of outlet where I could express all my anger and emotions as our country experienced one of the worst pogroms in history. I dedicated my song to the Jews of the diaspora who have also faced a frightening rise in antisemitism since October 7. I was deeply shocked to see the outpouring of hatred on social media and in universities around the world; all of this made me extremely angry, and that's how this song was born," explained Shaked Miller.
The chorus of "Never Again" serves as a wake-up call and a warning against tragically repeating history; after the Holocaust, the slogan Never Again seemed assured, but with October 7, it was questioned, accentuating the fears of the Jewish people.
"They tried it once
They'll try it again
But we said never again
I'm sick of all that you hate, fucking liars
You're all fucking biased people
Calling rapists freedom fighters
I want to live, I want to see the light"
Through her music, Shaked primarily aims to engage in "Hasbara" (communication), explaining Israel's situation to the world, especially to the youth through social media. "My excellent English allows me to reach populations worldwide to change Israel's image; even as we face blatant antisemitism, we have the power to reverse the trend," she said.
Thus, her music oscillates between Hasbara and anger. The war led Shaked to write more rap and hip hop, but also to emphasize the importance of genuinely caring for others and their well-being when everything around seems to be faltering. The pervasive sense of chaos and uncertainty in Israel for several months has inspired Shaked.
"Above all, I want to convey a message of sincerity and open-mindedness and raise awareness that people should feel comfortable sharing their feelings, even if they are not good. In my tracks, I want to bring out everyone's emotions, and I hope everyone becomes aware of this," Shaked affirmed.
Shaked is also one of the best ambassadors for the LGBTQ community, which she tirelessly references in her songs. "One of my first singles was written for a woman; my music is imbued with my love stories, and I'm proud to represent who I truly am," she stated.
Over the past few months, Shaked has performed concerts in Tel Aviv, at the renowned bar Kuli Alma, and at Shuk Hapishpishim in the Old City of Jaffa. She is currently preparing for a concert in Nashville, USA, in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Shaked is working on nine singles set to release monthly starting from September. "Long nails" is first on the list, "it's a kind of escape from the situation in Israel, and a song dedicated to women to tell them to take care of themselves, and rest because they deserve it," Shaked declared.
On September 21, Shaked will perform at the Barby club in Tel Aviv. Determined and ambitious, the young woman is on the brink of a promising career.
Caroline Haïat
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