Singer Yishai Levi, staple of Mizrahi music genre, dies at 63

Artist, whose career spanned decades from the 1980s, remembered for unique voice that ‘touched the hearts of millions of Israelis’

Singer Yishai Levi, lauded as one of the greatest voices of Israeli Mizrahi music, died overnight Saturday at the age of 63.

He was hospitalized in serious condition on Saturday. A cause of death was not immediately publicized.

Levi was remembered by fellow artists and Israeli leaders for his contribution to Mizrahi music, a genre tied to Israelis of North African or Middle Eastern descent.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted to his official X feed that Levi was “a special voice in Israeli music, a voice with soul, happiness, pain, and love of people.”

His songs, Netanyahu wrote, “touched the hearts of millions of Israelis.”

President Isaac Herzog eulogized Levi, saying he was “among the most loved and significant voices of Israeli music.”

“His unique voice and beloved songs accompanied Israeli society for decades and became an inseparable part of the soundtrack of our lives. In his unique way, Yishai managed to touch many hearts, connect audiences and generations, and provide moments of emotion, comfort, and joy to millions of Israelis.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar posted to X that Levi was “among the pioneers of Mizrachi music in the country, and one of the biggest and most moving voices in Israeli music.”

Levi rose to fame in the 1980s. Some of his most well-known songs include “Dance,” “Romantic Dance,” and “My One.” He released over 20 albums.

Levi was born in 1963 in Rosh Ha’ayin to a family of immigrants from Yemen.

As a youth, he would perform at clubs or Eastern music parties. After serving in the army, he released his first album in 1984. His big break came with the 1986 album “Behold, Days Are Coming.”

Levi also had a highly publicized struggle with drugs and served time for breaking into a neighbor’s home and stealing to fund his habit. Several years later he was again jailed for setting his home on fire after his wife refused to give him money for drugs.

After several turbulent years, he released the comeback album “Romantic Dance” in 2008.

During his career, he also collaborated with other Israeli artists.

Singer Kobi Oz described Levi as “the last great singer.”

“He had a golden voice. There is no singer that touched as he did,” Oz said, speaking to the Kan public broadcaster. “He gave depth and meaning to so many songs.”

Singer Aviv Gefen said that Levi was among “the greatest soul singers in Israel.”

The Revivo Project band, during whose performances Levi would sometimes appear, said that it received the news of his death “with deep regret and great pain.”

Levi, the group said, “was amongst the greatest voices of Israeli music. His unique voice and his contribution to culture and Mediterranean music will remain with us forever.”

Levi is survived by his wife, four children, and his grandchildren. His funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.