Moshe Peretz

Moshe Peretz (Hebrew: משה פרץ‎‎; born 10 May 1983) is an Israeli Mizrahi pop singer-songwriter and composer. He is also currently serving as a judge for the first season of The X Factor Israel.

Born from a Moroccan father and an Iraqi mother, Peretz started singing as a poet in a synagogue in his home town of Tiberias at the age of 13 and began to compose songs. At the age of 18 Peretz was inducted into the Israel Defense Forces for obligatory military service. During his service, he performed “שיר המעלות”, during Yom Hazikaron (the Israeli Memorial Day) ceremonies held at his base that received positive feedback leading to him serving in a military music band. In 2002, he started writing songs while in the Army. After release from the Army, he released his first album in 2005 entitled Mabit El Hamromim (in Hebrew מביט אל המרומים) that saw sale of over 10,000 copies in Israel. His follow-up album Esh (Hebrew אש) in 2007 was even more successful selling 20,000 copies and certified gold. The title track “Esh” was heavily promoted on Israeli radio and specialized music channels. It sold over 20,000 and was certified gold. In 2008, he had a hit that topped the Israeli singles chart called “Elaich” meaning “You” that was the precursor of the third album Elaich (Hebre אלייך) that sold over 40,000 copies and was certified platinum.^[2] His fourth studio album proved however his most successful album

in 2010. Entitled Me’ha’shamaim (Hebrew מהשמיים), it sold over 110,000 copies and was certified double platinum. The song “שתיים בלילה” meaning “2 o’clock” topped the Israeli singles chart. He conducted a grand tour to promote the album appearing notably in famous Caesarea Music Festival. In August 2010 was shortly detained for an investigation by the Israeli police on suspicion of tax evasion. His fifth single Zikukim (in Hebrew זיקוקים) (meaning Fireworks). The album has sold over 80,000 copies and certified double platinum.