15 Facts About Miri Ben-Ari

Miri Ben-Ari grew up playing classical music; she started training at age 5 and at age 12, she was presented with a violin by Isaac Stern.

Miri Ben-Ari released her first solo CD, Sahara, in 1999.

Miri Ben-Ari's performances caught the eye of Jay-Z, who invited her to play as one of the headliners of New York radio station Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert in 2001, where she netted a standing ovation.

Miri Ben-Ari won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2005 as one of the co-writers of Kanye West's "Jesus Walks".

In March 2011, Miri Ben-Ari was invited to the White House by Michelle Obama as part of a Women's History Month celebration, to perform and to be honored as a "remarkable Woman".

In 2012, Miri Ben-Ari was invited to perform for US President Barack Obama.

Miri Ben-Ari is signed with the Harman Kardon brand as a Beautiful Sound artist to be featured globally in advertisements and in special appearances as an ambassador for the Harman Kardon "Beautiful Sound" brand campaign.

Miri Ben-Ari was a special guest feature with Arianna Huffingtons THIRD METRIC LIVE and Armin Van Buuren ARMIN ONLY-INTENSE world tour.

Miri Ben-Ari became a featured blogger for the Huffington and was chosen by top Israeli news media Mako and Ynet as one of the top ten most influential Israelis living in the United States.

Miri Ben-Ari received the first-ever "Girl Up Advocate Award" to celebrate international Women's Day from the United Nations Foundation and is the recipient of the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Miri Ben-Ari was featured by Tanzanian recording artist Diamond Platnumz on the song "Baila".

In 2019, Miri Ben-Ari produced and released a single "Watcha Gonna Do" featuring her son Dorel.

Miri Ben-Ari was appointed by NJ Governor Phil Murphy as a member of the New Jersey-Israel commission.

In 2023, Miri Ben-Ari produced a special concert for Black History Month, hosted by the New Jersey-Israel Commission to Governor Phil Murphy and COGIC and attended by government officials and community leaders, including NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way, former US Senator-NJ Governor Jon Corzine, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Rabbis, and Bishops.

Miri Ben-Ari was invited as the headline performer at The "110 First Lady's Luncheon," honoring The First Lady Dr Jill Biden.