Aviad was born in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 11, 1975, corresponding to the Jewish calendar date of Adar 28, 5735. Two years later, the Cohen family moved to Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in the Yeshiva and Jewish private school systems of New York and New Jersey and later attended public high school and graduated with a BA in Communications from Long Island’s, Hofstra University. During those years after school, while working in the entertainment industry, Aviad began to refine his talents and skills. In 2003, Aviad stepped onto the scene as 50 Shekel, the Heeb Hop rapper with his classic parody remake of 50 Cent’s In Da Club song called In Da Shul, which received much acclaim. He was hailed as "The World's Most Kosher MC" (Q Magazine), gracing the pages of magazines like Maxim's Blender, Esquire, New York, V and Q, covered in the New York Post, Wall Street Journal and Forward newspapers and featured on ESPN2 and other national and international television programs. In 2004, Aviad came to know Y'shua. “When I was 50 Shekel, I was a lost and wandering Jew. God orchestrated some amazing situations in order to bring me closer to knowing Him in Truth. Now that I have come to know Yeshua, I finally have a real relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have a love for Him and His Word and it's amazing to see how He works miracles in both my life and the lives of others. I’m a True Jew now, thanks to Jesus. He is my Savior. I live for His glory and I’m here to share His love with the world and testify that He is in fact the King of kings and Lord of lords. Aviad Cohen's Hooked On The Truth is a historic album. It's not too often that a young famous Jew comes to faith in Jesus and makes an album about it, especially during times of persecution. "There is no way this album could have ever been made without Him. He was there with me through it all. Whenever I was going through some deep struggles, He was there with me, for me, showered me with His light and a beautiful song emerged." Aviad produced his album on an Apple Powerbook laptop, Garageband software, which comes with the computer and Apple's Jam Packs. In addition, he used an M-Audio Ozone midi controller (music keyboard) and an Audio Technica AT 30-35 microphone. “Looking back I am still amazed at how I was able to pump out these praise tracks using this "studio in a backpack". With Elohim (God), all is possible. "I love writing songs and making music for His glory. He is the All Mighty and deserves all praise. I'm just His servant, using whatever talents and tools He has blessed me with to sing praises to Him. We serve an awesome God. Perhaps more people will come to know Him through this album. Someone is going to pick up this record and the Lord will use it for His glory to touch that person’s life."