TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Detroit's Original Holiday Tradition BANICIDNE Hip (Hop) To Be Square Production Sponsor Presenting Joffrey Ballet The Jewish rapper Etan G is Orthodox, but his career sure isn't. MATT LEE Special to the Jewish News C omedian Chris Rock made a joke a few years ago about how you knew the world was turned upside down when the best golfer was black, the best rapper was white and the best basketball player was Chinese. Fast-forward to the present and, mix- ing things up a little more, is Etan G — formerly Etan Goldman — who not only aspires to become the first Jewish rap superstar, but who's also daring to challenge the art form itself. It takes a brave man to be different. But while G, an easygoing Orthodox Jew from Baltimore now based in Los Angeles, would probably never use the word "brave" to describe himself, the ing," says G, who recently appeared on the Discovery Channel's reality show No Opportunity Wasted (the episode will be repeated 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27). "I tried it, and I think I was a great teacher. But my problem was with the school system. There were so many egos and agendas, and those things really don't work for me. "But I was rapping on the side, and I'd get called up to do all these jobs, a bar mitzvah or a birthday party. I also worked with this Jewish rock band, Schlock Rock. I'd help them with get- ting kosher food at concerts, taking videos, selling merchandise. And through that, I learned the music busi- ness — the behind the scenes, business side of the music industry. "Then it just hit me: You know, I can All New Production! Dec. 2-5 AT THE DETROIT OPERA HOUSE ONE WEEK ONLY! Thurs. Dec 2- 7:30 p.m. Fri. 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While his first album, 2002's South Side of the Synagogue (produced with the help of Grammy Award-winning pro- ducer Cedric Samson and Macy Gray producer Daryl "D-Style" Swan), includes a few schlocky-, humorous tides like "Yo Yo [Yarmulke]" and "Makin' the Motzee," the disc consists largely of more serious meditations on spirituality, what it means to be Jewish and G's per- sonal struggles growing up in an Orthodox environment that he appreci- ated, but where he nevertheless often felt out of place. "I have my master's degree in teach- make a living doing this.' That was in '96 or '97, and I've been doing it ever since." If making a living as a Jewish rapper who waxes poetic on themes ranging from odes to Zion to honoring the women in one's life — as G does on the song "Women of Valor," with lyrics lift- ed straight from the last 22 verses of the Book of Proverbs — sounds unlikely, Cs circuitous career path is downright amazing. More interested in rhymes than text- books, he was kicked out of the same high school twice but still managed to graduate. He's also a veteran of 44 jobs, including one as an aide in a methadone clinic and another as a women's clothing store manager. As his lyrics on South Side of the Synagogue attest — "So now during the daytime I got my leather straps /And at HIP (HOP) To BE SQUARE on page 50 Package Valid from December 19-30, 2004 Package Includes: Standard Guest Room Entry for Four into the Indoor Water Park Large One Topping Pizza and Four Sodas Continental Breakfast for Four the Following Morning *Plus applicable hotel taxes. Rates based on a four person occupancy. Five person maximum per room. 5th person charge is $25.00. Major credit card or first night's deposit is required at time of booking. One adult per room required. Based upon availability. Prices subject to change. Not valid with any other discounts. 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