Photo credit: Noam Galai

Few artists can say they’ve worked and collaborated with names like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Scarface, Janet Jackson, Wu-Tang Clan, and the list goes on. Miri Ben-Ari is one of those artists.

Coined ‘The Hip Hop Violinist’ by Wyclef Jean, Miri Ben-Ari and her violin have been featured on iconic records like Alicia Keys “Fallin’,” Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity,” and Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks.”

Miri also released ‘The Hip Hop Violinist’ album in 2005, which featured collaborations with Scarface, Lil’ Wayne, and Styles P, who is featured on the song “We Gonna Win.”

The Hip Hop Museum caught up with Miri Ben-Ari to discuss discovering Hip-Hop, her frequent collaborations with Kanye West, performing at Summer Jam 2001 with Jay-Z, and more.

Adam Aziz: Do you remember your first experience with Hip Hop culture?

Miri Ben-Ari: I grew up in Israel. I did not grow up on Hip Hop. My parents kept me in a classical music bubble. Somehow, I was exposed to Jazz music. A friend sent me a CD by Charlie Parker. And I was like, oh my god, it was for me. I discovered this entire universe of music. I still have tears in my eyes when I talk about it. After I heard it, I felt like I was meant to do this.

I was excellent in classical music—like a child prodigy. But I wanted to fly, and I never knew that that was possible until I heard Charlie Parker and his saxophone. I moved to the US to learn how to improvise. And somehow, I had enough of the fundamentals, common sense, and understanding of music to realize that if I could improvise in Jazz, I could grow wings and do whatever I wanted to do.

I remember the first time I heard Biggie Smalls. It was the first time I heard Hip Hop where I really paid attention. It was a passing car, and I was walking on West 3rd Street in New York City. This is where Hip Hop got me. I was like, what is this? What is that sound? That’s when I discovered Hip Hop.

AA: And how did you start creating Hip Hop related music and sounds?

MBA: I started experimenting with music and improvising on beats. I didn’t label it. I didn’t know I was creating a new genre with my violin. The first person that labeled me was Wyclef Jean, and he said, “You’re the Hip Hop violinist.” I was so into Hip Hop without even really knowing. I had my steady Jazz gig back then, and I used to program my live musicians, not even really understanding that I was producing. I used to write the notes for the bass player and the piano player and create this perfect Hip Hop loop without knowing.

AA: Your ‘Hip Hop Violinist’ album is incredible and features many of the biggest names in Hip Hop. Going back to that album, what are your favorite songs on the project?

MBA: There are no favorite songs because they are all collaborations with other people, and everyone brings their own flavor. “We Gonna Win” with Styles P is different. There is nothing like that. It really brought together the classical world and the Hip Hop world in a very advanced and progressive way. Styles P killed that. We created something new with that album.

AA: One more question about the album. It’s kind of an A&R miracle that the album actually came together, given the number of artists featured on the project. What do you remember about making the album and pulling it together?

MBA: I worked so hard, Adam. It was the time of my life. I was in the studio 24-7 because I performed, produced and collaborated and in between, I had shows. It was nonstop work. I worked like a maniac. Kanye West used to watch me in the studio for hours. When I’m producing, and it’s stem one, I already have stem 20 and 30 in my head. I know where it’s going.

AA: You were a frequent collaborator with Kanye West. What do you think of what has happened with him and his place in Hip Hop right now?

MBA: I try not to get into it and to not think about it. I knew Kanye’s mother Donda. She was there for me throughout all the touring. During ‘The College Dropout’ tour, I was 20 years old by myself on the tour bus. My English wasn’t that great. I was the only girl. Donda was there for me. One time, she brought all of her friends to the House of Blues to see me. I’m not getting involved with any of this for the sake of respect for Kanye’s mother.

Personally, I’ve never had any bad experiences with Kanye. I collaborated with him more than I collaborated with any other artist. I was his go-to person many times, and I had a great experience.

AA: You performed with Jay-Z at the iconic Summer Jam 2001, where Jay brought out Michael Jackson and performed his “Takeover” diss to Nas and Mobb Deep. What do you remember about that night?

MBA: Summer Jam was chaos. I didn’t have a manager. No one was taking care of me or telling me where to go. I didn’t know where or when to get on stage. I was my own manager and sound engineer. I do remember it was fun, though. I didn’t know who Jay-Z was, but I liked him. One moment, I was on stage, and the next moment, I was in the crowd. I remember walking down 14th Street after the show, and everyone was yelling, “You killed it!” I remember Jay-Z telling me he didn’t think he was a good performer on stage. We had a rehearsal for Summer Jam, and Aaliyah watched us.

AA: To finish, do you have a favorite song you’re featured on?

MBA: It’s “Symphony of Brotherhood Rise” with Flo Rida. It’s hard to top a song featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Music is the ultimate vehicle to deliver a message. When you hear this song, you really get the message. Dr. King’s message was delivered with this song. The Obamas recognized this song, and it has received many awards. I performed it at The White House. At The United Nations. I am so attached to this song because it hits me as a person and shows me what it means to be an artist. The responsibility as a musician is the music we put out and how another person experiences it.

Follow Miri Ben-Ari on Instagram.