Meet Remedy, the Jewish member of Wu-Tang Clan
For many hip-hop fans, Wu-Tang Clan is revered as a pioneer of the genre. The hip-hop collective is best known for their original nine members: RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, U-God, Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa. That said, the collective had a handful of artists affiliated with the group. One of which is Ross Filler, better known as his stage name Remedy, who made history as the first white and first Jewish rapper affiliated with Wu-Tang Clan.
Although Remedy is part of the Wu-Tang Clan crew, not the rap collective, his connection to the artists has landed him features on albums and songs with the more popular members. Most notably, Remedy made an appearance on the 1998 compilation album, Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm Vol. 1, with his single, “Never Again.”
On “Never Again,” Remedy raps over a beat laced with the Kiddush prayer as he pays homage to those who perished in the Holocaust. Remedy also provides commentary in the song about his Jewish faith and its influence on his life, so much so that he considers “Never Again” to be his signature song.
Remedy grew up on Staten Island, and attended New Dorp High School, where he befriended Wu-Tang’s Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Method Man.
“I was in New Dorp [and] Method Man was over there for a minute—Dek, Raekwon, too—but they weren’t the Wu Tang yet.” Remedy said. “And then I played football in high school and that was like a second family with a lot of cats on the team.”
Remedy’s grandparents are Holocaust survivors, though his great uncle and other family members were murdered, all of which has influenced his Jewish upbringing. And, as an American Jew, Remedy uses his status as a rapper to teach others about the Jewish faith.
“I was always wondering what happened and what's going on you know you were taught school about the Holocaust and Hitler but it seemed like, you know, I wanted to know the details,” Remedy said. “It's just crazy that mankind's been recording history for over 5,000 years and [the Holocaust] only happened like 75, years ago. It's crazy that the whole world sat back and watched while like 12 million people hurt.”
Remedy is also a strong supporter of Israel and is not afraid to engage in Israel-related debates. In 2016, he engaged in a Twitter argument with fellow New York rapper Talib Kweli regarding Israel. After Kweli called him a fake Jew, Remedy voiced his support for Israel and opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. He also responded to a Jewish hip-hop fan who voiced their support for Talib Kweli and the Free Palestine movement.
Remedy’s affiliation to Wu-Tang Clan is historical for the Jewish community. As an advocate for Judaism and Israel, Remedy is using his music to indoctrinate the hip-hop world and beyond regarding his beliefs of the two subject matters. He has made appearances at events hosted by Jewish groups ranging from Birthright to Hillel. As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be circulated, one can hope he brings his talents to KU Hillel.
—Paul Samberg, KU Hillel intern
