| Moshe Peretz | |
| Birth Name: | Moshe Peretz |
| Birth Date: | 10 May 1983 |
| Origin: | Tiberias, Israel |
| Genre: | Mizrahi music, pop |
| Occupation: | singer-songwriter |
| Instrument: | Vocals |
| Years Active: | 2002–present |
| Associated Acts: | Omer Adam, Agam Buhbut, Eyal Golan, Lior Narkis |
Moshe Haim Peretz (Hebrew: משה פרץ; born 10 May 1983) is an Israeli Mizrahi music pop singer-songwriter and composer. Beginning in 2013, Peretz acted as judge for The X Factor Israel.[1]
Peretz was born and raised in Tiberias, Israel, to a Sephardic Jewish family. His father Miguel was of Moroccan-Jewish origin and his mother was of Iraqi-Jewish origin. Peretz started singing as a poet in a synagogue in Tiberias at the age of 13 and began to compose songs.
At the age of 18 Peretz was enlisted as a soldier to the Israel Defense Forces. During his military service, he performed "", during Yom Hazikaron (Israel's 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 still serving in the army.
After his honorable discharge from the IDF, he released his first album in 2005 entitled Mabit El Hamromim that saw sale of over 10,000 copies in Israel. His follow-up album Esh 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. 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 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, it sold over 110,000 copies and was certified double platinum. The song "" 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.[3] In August 2010 was shortly detained for an investigation by the Israeli police on suspicion of tax evasion. His fifth single Zikukim (meaning 'Fireworks').[4] The album has sold over 80,000 copies and certified double platinum.
Moshe Peretz writes most of his materials. He has also written for other artists like Sarit Hadad, Shlomi Shabat and Tamir Gal. He co-wrote with Dudu Aharon for Israeli artist Lior Narkis.
Peretz is married to Yarden Gozlan, the sister of footballer Shoval Gozlan. The couple lives in Be'er Ya'akov, in a luxury villa which Peretz specifically had built for himself, designed by an architect he hired. It is equipped with a professional recording studio in the basement.[5] In November 2014, their daughter Michaela was born. In June 2016, their twins Noam and Guy were born.
In March 2016, Peretz pleaded guilty to tax evasion after reaching a plea bargain. In October 2016, he was fined NIS 60,000 ($15,000) and ordered to spend 4 months' community service volunteering at an old age home in Rishon LeZion.[6]
(selective)