Miri Ben-Ari facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miri Ben-Ari
Ben-Ari in 2011
Background information
Native name	מירי בן-ארי
Also known as	United Nations Goodwill Ambassador of Music The Hip Hop Violinist
Born	(1978-12-04) 4 December 1978 (age 46) Tel Aviv District, Israel
Origin	Fort Lee, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop R&B
Occupation(s)	Violinist record producer composer
Instruments	Violin
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Universal Mirimode Productions
Children	1

Ben-Ari performing in 2005

Ben-Ari in 2004

Miri Ben-Ari (Hebrew: מירי בן-ארי) is an Israeli–American violinist, music producer, and humanitarian. She was born on December 4, 1978. Miri is famous for being the first and only violinist to win a Grammy Award in the Hip Hop category. People often call her "the hip-hop violinist."

Miri Ben-Ari's Life and Music Journey

Early Life and Musical Start

Miri Ben-Ari grew up in Tel Aviv District, Israel. She started playing classical music on the violin at age 5. When she was 12, a famous violinist named Isaac Stern gave her a special violin. During her time in the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra, she heard jazz music and loved it. She later said, "My soul was sold" to jazz.

After her military service, Miri moved to New York City. She wanted to use her classical music skills in new ways. She studied jazz at The New School, but she also played many gigs to pay her rent. This led to her leaving the school after two semesters.

Breaking into the Music Scene

Miri released her first solo CD, Sahara, in 1999. Her hard work helped her appear on BET's show 106 & Park. Viewers really liked her, so she was invited back.

Her performances caught the attention of famous rapper Jay-Z. He asked her to play at the Hot 97 Summer Jam concert in 2001. She received a standing ovation from the crowd. Around the same time, she met Wyclef Jean, who invited her to perform with him at Carnegie Hall. This was a big moment, as it was the first time a hip-hop artist performed there.

In 2003, Miri released her second CD, Temple of Beautiful. The next year, she released a live CD called Live at the Blue Note.

Grammy Win and Major Success

In 2005, Miri Ben-Ari won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. She was one of the writers for Kanye West's hit song "Jesus Walks". That same year, Universal Music Group released her fourth CD, The Hip-Hop Violinist. This album was her first to focus on hip-hop style music.

To promote her album, Miri was part of Reebok's "I Am What I Am" advertising campaign. Reebok also appeared in the music video for her song "We Gonna Win."

Humanitarian Work and Special Performances

In 2006, Miri helped start Gedenk, an organization that teaches people about the Holocaust. She also worked with the band Aventura (band) on their song "José."

Miri has received many awards for her work. In 2007, she got the International Jewish Woman To Watch Award. In 2008, she received the "Israel Film Festival Visionary Award" and other honors.

In 2009, she released "Symphony of Brotherhood." This instrumental song featured parts of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Because of this song, she received the first Martin Luther King Jr. Israeli Award in 2008. The President of Israel, Shimon Peres, hosted the ceremony.

Miri has performed for important leaders. In March 2011, Michelle Obama invited her to the White House. She performed and was honored as a "remarkable Woman." In October 2011, she performed at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Presidential memorial in Washington, DC. In 2012, she performed for U.S. President Barack Obama.

In 2013, Miri was named "Goodwill Ambassador of Music" for the United Nations Association-Brazil. She also worked with DJ Armin Van Buuren on his trance song Intense. This song was chosen as the "Tune of the Year" in 2013.

Miri Ben-Ari is also an ambassador for the Harman Kardon "Beautiful Sound" brand. In 2014, she received the "Aviv Award" at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Recent Projects and Achievements

Miri continues to promote "The Gedenk Award For Tolerance" campaign. In 2015, she received the first "Girl Up Advocate Award" from the United Nations Foundation. She also received the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

In 2018, she released the song "Quiet Storm." She was also featured on the song "Baila" by Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz. This song won the "Best Collaboration Award" in 2019.

In 2019, Miri produced a song called "Watcha Gonna Do" with her son Dorel. She also started working with Nigerian producer Young D. They formed a group called "Afrostringz" and released a holiday song, "Afro Christmas." In 2020, Afrostringz released their first single and music video, "She Don't Know."

Miri was appointed to the New Jersey-Israel commission by Governor Phil Murphy. In 2021, she became a TED speaker. She gave talks about creativity and entrepreneurship, and about harmony and diversity.

In 2022, Miri released "Symphony of Brotherhood Rise" with rapper Flo Rida. This song also featured Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. It was released for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and was added to Spotify's official MLK playlist.

In 2023, Miri produced a special concert for Black History Month in New Jersey. Many government and community leaders attended this event. She was also the main performer at "The 110 First Lady's Luncheon," honoring Dr. Jill Biden.

In 2024, Miri launched a music education program for high school students in New York called Symphony of Brotherhood. This program expanded to New Jersey in 2025.

In 2025, Miri Ben-Ari released the Amapiano song "Finally" with Tanzanian artist Harmonize (musician). On June 22, 2025, Miri made history by being the first recording artist to headline the Game 7 halftime performance of the 2025 NBA Finals.

Miri Ben-Ari's Music Albums

Albums

• 1999: Sahara
• 2000: Song of the Promised Land
• 2003: Temple of Beautiful
• 2004: Live at the Blue Note
• 2005: The Hip-Hop Violinist

Singles

Songs Miri Ben-Ari Has Been Featured On

Miri Ben-Ari has played violin on many songs by other artists, including:

• Aventura - José (2006)
• Akon - Miss Melody (2004)
• Wyclef Jean Feat. M.O.P. - Masquerade (2002)
• Alicia Keys - Fallin' (2001)
• Twista - Overnight Celebrity (2004)
• Kanye West - We Don't Care, Graduation Day, Jesus Walks, The New Workout Plan, Breathe In Breathe Out, Two Words (2004)
• Kanye West - Late (2005)
• Brandy - Talk About Our Love (2004)
• John Legend - Live It Up (2004)
• Janet Jackson - I Want You (2004)
• Armin van Buuren - Intense
• Diamond Platnumz - Baila (2018)
• Flo Rida - Symphony of Brotherhood Rise ft Dr. Martin Luther King (2022)
• Harmonize (musician) - Finally (2025)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

See also

In Spanish: Miri Ben-Ari para niños