Asaf Avidan
Asaf Avidan is a singer and songwriter, born in Jerusalem, Israel, raised in Jamaica and currently resides in France. From 2006 to 2011, he was part of the band Asaf Avidan & the Mojos, independently releasing three studio albums. Their debut record, The Reckoning, was certified Gold in Israel following release, and a 2012 remix, One Day / Reckoning Song by Wankelmut, was certified Gold and Platinum in multiple countries.
Asaf Avidan

L. green · received from author · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Asaf Avidan
- Born
- 23 March 1980
- Birthplace
- Jerusalem, Israel
- Nationality
- Israel · Romania
- Occupation
- singer-songwriter · musician · singer · animator · guitarist · dub actor · songwriter · composer
- Fields
- folk music · indie rock
- Honours
- ACUM Awards
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Documentary summary
Asaf Avidan is a singer and songwriter, born in Jerusalem, Israel, raised in Jamaica and currently resides in France. From 2006 to 2011, he was part of the band Asaf Avidan & the Mojos, independently releasing three studio albums. Their debut record, The Reckoning, was certified Gold in Israel following release, and a 2012 remix, One Day / Reckoning Song by Wankelmut, was certified Gold and Platinum in multiple countries.
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wikidata · Q259788 · wikipedia · Asaf Avidan
In this article
Biography
Biography
In 2012, Avidan started a solo career and has released three studio albums to moderate success in European countries.

Asaf Avidan at Rudolstadt-Festival 2017.
User:Carstor · taken by User:Carstor
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Asaf Avidan • Native Name — אסף אבידן • Born — 23 March 1980 • Birthplace — Jerusalem, Israel • Genre — Indie • Instruments — * Vocals • guitar • harmonica • piano • Years Active — 2000s–present • Label — * Telmavar • Fiction • UMG • Website — www.asafavidan.com
1980–2006: Early life and career
1980–2006: Early life and career
Asaf Avidan was born in Jerusalem. Avidan's grandparents emigrated from Romania to Israel. He spent 4 years of his youth in Jamaica. He completed mandatory army service in the Israel Defense Forces, and studied animation at Jerusalem's Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, with his final project short film "Find Love Now" winning an award at the Haifa Film Festival that year. Subsequently, Avidan moved to Tel Aviv and worked as an animator. In 2006, after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, he moved back to Jerusalem, releasing his first EP Now That You're Leaving later that year.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Asaf Avidan & the Mojos • Origin — Israel • Genre — Indie • Years Active — 2006–2011 • Label — Independent • Past Members — Asaf Avidan Ran Nir Yoni Sheleg Roi Peled Hadas Kleinman • Website — http: www.asafavidan.com/ In late 2006, while on tour in Israel, Avidan and Ran Nir decided to put together a band, who would consist of Nir on bass guitar, Yoni Sheleg (Johnny Snow) on drums, Roi Peled on guitar and backing vocals, Hadas Kleinman on cello, and Avidan on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica. The group's original name was Asaf Avidan & the Mojo Jive Cats, but it was soon after shortened to Asaf Avidan & the Mojos. The group released their debut studio album The Reckoning independently in March 2008, founding Telmavar Records with Avidan's brother Roie. The album was met with critical and commercial acclaim, reaching Gold status in Israel. It was aided by two singles — "Reckoning Song" and "Weak" — as well as by a tour throughout Europe. Later in 2012, a remix of "Reckoning Song" by German disc jockey Wankelmut — retitled into "One Day / Reckoning Song" — would attain widespread commercial success, topping the charts and being certified Gold and Platinum in countries including Germany, Italy and Netherlands. The single's attention would lead to The Reckoning entering the record charts in various European regions in 2012. Poor Boy / Lucky Man, the band's second album, was released in Israel in September 2009 to favorable reviews. For promotion, the band embarked on a worldwide tour from 2009 to 2011, during which they had appeared and performed on several notable occasions in Germany, France, China and the United States. Meanwhile, Asaf Avidan and the Mojos premiered their third and last record Through the Gale in November 2010. In 2012, following the group taking a short break, Avidan announced the group would disband to allow him to pursue a solo career.
2012–present: Solo career
2012–present: Solo career
• Illustration — Avidan performing at the French rock festival Eurockéennes de Belfort in 2013. In 2012, Avidan released the single "Different Pulses", followed by the release of his debut solo studio album of the same name. For promotion, the singer embarked on a European tour where he also performed during the 2013 Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. Different Pulses entered record charts in various countries and was awarded a Platinum certification by France's Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). The singer's follow-up record Gold Shadow (2015) was also attained Gold status in France. The album was also aided by several venues, including in Boston, United States. The Study on Falling followed in 2017. In the same year, Avidan was featured on the song "Baila Leila" from Goran Bregović's Three Letters from Sarajevo (2017).
Debate
Debate
In a March 2015 interview conducted by French newspaper Le Monde, Avidan stated: "I don't really feel Israeli. As Israelis, what unites us is the fear. We are always the persecuted, and that is why I am no longer interested in living in Israel, to not feel that fear". The singer's statement sparked controversy and received widespread commentary and media attention in Israel, prompting Avidan to respond by saying: "In every interview I gave from the first second I always said I am not an Israeli artist, but an artist from Israel. I am not coming to represent Israel. I am not a politician. I am not a diplomat. And as a son to diplomats I never wanted to be one". In 2023, Avidan applied for Romanian citizenship, because his grandparents were Romanian Jews. On June 12, 2026, he was granted Romanian citizenship.
Studio albums
Studio albums
• Title — Album details — Peak chart positions — Sales — Certifications • AUT — BEL (Fl) — BEL (Wa) — FRA — GER — ITA — SWI • The Reckoning — * Label: Telmavar, Columbia * Released: 2008 (Israel) / 2012 (Europe) * Formats: CD, digital download — 31 — 91 — 93 — 26 — 23 — 70 — 33 — *ISR: +20,000 — * IFPI ISR: Gold • Poor Boy / Lucky Man — * Label: Telmavar, Columbia * Released: 2009 (Israel) / 2011 (France) * Formats: CD, digital download — — — — — — — 108 — — — — — — • Through the Gale — * Label: Telmavar * Released: 2010 (Israel) * Formats: CD, digital download — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Singles
Singles
• Title — Year — Album • "Reckoning Song" (Only in Israel) — 2008 — rowspan="2" Non-album singles • "Weak" (Only in Israel)
Albums
Albums
• Studio albums • Title — Album details — Peak chart positions — Certifications • BEL (Fl) — BEL (Wa) — FRA — GER — ITA — SWI • Different Pulses — * Label: Telmavar, Columbia, Polydor, Universal * Released: 2012 (Israel) / 2013 (Europe) * Format: CD, digital download — 82 — 24 — 5 — — — 10 — 39 — *SNEP: Platinum • Gold Shadow — * Label: Telmavar, Columbia, Polydor, Universal * Released: 12 January 2015 * Format: CD, digital download — 102 — 24 — 3 — 75 — 54 — 12 — *SNEP: Gold • The Study on Falling — * Label: Telmavar * Released: 3 November 2017 * Format: CD, digital download — — — 39 — 11 — — — — — 18 • Anagnorisis — * Label: Telmavar, Embassy of Music * Released: 11 September 2020 * Format: CD, vinyl, digital download — — — 48 — 21 — 100 — — — 11 • Unfurl — * Label: Telmavar, Embassy of Music * Released: 10 October 2025 * Format: CD, vinyl, digital download — 168 — 154 — — — — — — — 65 • "—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory. • Live albums • Title — Album details • Avidan in a Box — * Label: Telmavar / Columbia * Released: 2012 (Israel) / 2013 (Europe) * Format: CD, digital download
Extended plays
Extended plays
• Title — EP details • Now That You're Leaving — * Label: Telmavar * Released: 2006 (Israel) * Format: CD, digital download
Singles
Singles
• Title — Year — Peak chart positions — Certifications — Album • AUT — BEL (Fl) — FRA — GER — ITA — NLD — SWE — SWI — UK • "One Day / Reckoning Song" (Wankelmut Remix) — 2012 — 1 — 1 — 2 — 1 — 1 — 1 — 8 — 1 — 30 — *BEA: Platinum *BVMI: Platinum *FIMI: 4× Platinum *GLF: 3× Platinum *IFPI AUT: Platinum *IFPI SWI: 3× Platinum *SNEP: Platinum — The Reckoning (re-release) • "Different Pulses" — — — 88 — 44 — — — — — — — — — — — — — Different Pulses • "Love It or Leave It" — 2013 — — — 122 — 103 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Over My Head" — 2014 — — — — — 107 — — — — — — — — — — — — — Gold Shadow • "Gold Shadow" — 2015 — — — — — 114 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "My Old Pain" — 2017 — — — — — 36 — — — — — — — — — — — — — The Study on Falling • "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Pesaro
Residences
Jerusalem.
Birth place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Asaf Avidan”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q259788: Asaf Avidan
Unverified · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Asaf Avidan in America – Metro US. 9 April 2016.
- 2.Sorpresa, la star del pop Avidan compra casa sul colle San Bartolo. Il Resto del Carlino. 2015-02-04.
- 3.A prodigal son returns: Asaf Avidan continues to prove his talent with riveting one-man show. The Jerusalem Post. 2024-06-19. 0792-822X.
- 4.Rosu, Iulia. Un israelian la Mogoşoaia. Asaf Avidan, artistul cu bunici din România. Adevărul. July 2014.
- 5.WATCH: Asaf Avidan has the secret of life for you – in a song. January 4, 2016.
- 6.Rosenberg, Anat. North America, here are 7 things to know about singer Asaf Avidan. Haaretz. 11 February 2014.
- 7.אסף אבידן חושף פרויקט חדש של ביצועים אקוסטיים - חדשות מוזיקה - מדור מוזיקה.
- 8.Lawson, Mark. The Reckoning review – shattering stories of invasion in Ukraine. The Guardian. 2025-06-06. 0261-3077.
- 9.Reed, James. Israeli singer Asaf Avidan raises his profile. The Boston Globe. February 20, 2014.
- 10.L'explosif Asaf Avidan signe chez Polydor. www.chartsinfrance.net.
- 11.Motz, Jason. Asaf Avidan 'Different Pulses'. Vivascene. October 13, 2015.
- 12.JON PARELES. Stories and Explanations Rooted in the Personal. New York Times. 23 February 2014.
- 13.Kastritis, Thanasi. Back With A Bang: Asaf Avidan. Sound of Boston. 12 February 2015.
- 14.Binet, Stéphanie. Asaf Avidan, rockeur traqué, de la crête aux pieds. Le Monde.fr. 14 March 2015.
- 15.אסף אבידן: "לא מרגיש ישראלי". Ynet. 14 March 2015.
- 16.Asaf Avidan in France: I do not feel Israeli. nrg.co.il. 14 March 2015.
- 17.אסף אבידן: "לא מרגיש ישראלי" | Omemo Radio.
- 18.News60.
- 19.אסף אבידן: "לא מרגיש ישראלי" | מבזקים.
- 20.(Auteur-compositeur-interprète), Asaf Avidan. Asaf Avidan : "Je ne suis pas israélien, je suis d'Israël". Le Monde.fr. 17 March 2015.
- 21.אבידן מגיב: 'לא אמן ישראלי, אני אמן מישראל'. Ynet. 14 March 2015.
- 22.Asaf Avidan a primit cetățenia română: Autoritatea pentru Cetățenie i-a aprobat cererea. „A rămas depunerea jurământului”. Antena 3. 2026-06-12.
- 23.Un cântăreț internațional a primit cetățenia română, după apelul lansat de pe scenă. „Birocrația voastră se. HotNews.ro. 2013-06-26.
- 24.Austrian Charts. Discographie Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 25.Ultratop. Discografie Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 26.Ultratop. Discographie Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 27.Les Charts. Discographie Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 28.Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Asaf Avidan & the Mojos – The Reckoning.
- 29.Italian Charts. Discography Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 30.Swiss Charts. Asaf Avidan & the Mojos – The Reckoning.
- 31.Walla!. 9 March 2009.
- 32.Ultratop. Discografie Asaf Avidan.
- 33.Ultratop. Discographie Asaf Avidan.
- 34.Les Charts. Discographie Asaf Avidan.
- 35.GfK Entertainment. Discographie von Asaf Avidan.
- 36.Italian Charts. Discography Asaf Avidan.
- 37.Swiss Charts. Discography Asaf Avidan.
- 38.France. album. Asaf Avidan.
- 39.Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Top Albums (Week 38, 2020).
- 40.Austrian Charts. Discographie Asaf Avidan.
- 41.Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Asaf Avidan – One Day / Reckoning Song (Wankelmut Remix).
- 42.Dutch Charts. Discography Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 43.Swedish Charts. Discography Asaf Avidan.
- 44.Swiss Hitparade. Discographie Asaf Avidan.
- 45.Official Charts Company. Asaf Avidan & the Mojos.
- 46.Belgium. 2012. Asaf Avidan.
- 47.Germany. Asaf Avidan.
- 48.Italy. Asaf Avidan. single.
- 49.Austria. Asaf Avidan.
- 50.Switzerland. Asaf Avidan.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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