Music in Chabad

Part of a series on Music in Chabad
Nigunim
Daled Bavos • Bnei Heichala • Ka'ayal Ta'arog • Nye Zhuritze Chloptzi • Ad Mosai • HaRebbe Shlita
Collections
Nichoach • Gaguim (2014-present)
V – T

Music in Chabad incorporates a history of melodies and songs dating back to the founding of Chabad Chassidus. Music is also regarded as a significant concept in Chassidus.

Overview

The music of Chabad includes the following categories:

• Niggunim – wordless melodies
• Niggunim with words
• Songs of the Chasidim (arranged in various styles)

Composers

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Composers include the Rebbes of Chabad, Chabad Chasidim, and in some cases, non-Jews (where a non-Jewish has been transformed into a Niggun).

Primary Chabad songs

Niggun Daled Bavos

The primary songs in Chabad are those from the Chasidic founders and the Seven Rebbes.

• The Baal Shem Tov: Shalosh Tenuos, Eliyahu Hanavi, The Baal Shem's Niggun, Asader Leseudasa
• The Maggid of Mezritch: Shalosh Tenuos, Askinu Seudasa, Yetzaveh Tzur Chasdo
• The Alter Rebbe: Shalosh Tenuos, Avinu Malkeinu, Keili Atah, Daled Bavos, Bnei Heichala, Deveikus Lerosh Hashana, Deveikus Leshabbos, Niggun Yashan, Keayil Taarog, Lecha Dodi, Tzeenah Ureenah, Kol Dodi Dofek, Tzama Lecha Nafshi, Taamu Ureu
• The Mitteler Rebbe: Nye Zhuritze Chloptzi, Kapelye, Niggun for Birchas Koahnim
• The Tzemach Tzedek: Ka'ayal Ta'arog, Hodieni Hashem Kitzi
• The Rebbe Maharash: Lechatchila Ariber, Shuvu Shuvu
• The Rebbe Rashab: Niggun Rostov, Min Hameitzar
• The Rebbe Rayatz: Niggun Beinuni
• The Rebbe: Anim Zmiros, Atah Bechartonu, Hu Elokeinu, Darcheka Elokeinu, Ki Anu Amecha, Rachamano Dionei, Stav Ya Pitu, Tzomo Lecha Nafshi, Shamil

Additional songs sung before the Rebbe include Niggun Ad Mosai.

Compilations

The most notable compilation of Chabad music is the Nichoach collection. Other collections include the Gaguim series (2014-present)

Chabad singers

Notable Chabad singers include:

• Avraham Fried (born Avraham Shabsi Hakohen Friedman), based in Crown Heights, has been active since 1981 with the release of his first album. He has since released over 30 albums and many singles.
• Moshe Yess (1945-2011) – known for his song "My Zaidy" which depicts the legacy of a Jewish grandfather and the gradual impact of cultural assimilation. The song ends with a call for the next generation to take responsibility for the transmission of Judaism. His music is also featured on a children's audio series, The Marvelous Midos Machine, a work produced with the singer Abie Rotenberg.
• Yosi and Avi Piamenta – based in Israel, beginning in the 1980s, the two brothers utilised the style of Electric Rock to express Chassidic music. Yosi Piamenta passed away in 2015.
• Benny Friedman – a nephew of Avraham Fried, and a cousin of Shmuli and Bentzi Marcus (below), is a notable Chabad singer
• 8th Day (2004-present) – a popular Chabad band, based in California, formed by brothers Shmuli and Bentzi Marcus. Their song Ya'alili, depicting Ashkenazi and Sephardic customs, has over 7.5 million plays on YouTube.
• Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller) developed the style of "Chassidic reggae" soon after he began studying in a Chabad yeshiva in Crown Heights. His songs from his early career, while he was a member of the Chabad community, included a mix of wordless musical elements including beatboxing and the singing style found in niggunim.