Gilad Segev (in Hebrew גלעד שגב; born November 16, 1974), also known as Passerby or Gilad Passerby (in Chinese 行者.吉拉德), is an Israeli singer-songwriter, musician, author, and travel documentarian. He is best known for his hit songs "Achshav Tov" ("It's Good Now"), "Isha M'hashamayim" ("Woman From The Sky"), and "Chana'leh Hitbalbelah" ("Hannah Was Confused").
In recent years, Segev gained success through his Passerby project, and toured the world collaborating with international artists. His Project 34 was popular in China: it highlights the music and traditions of China's 34 regions.
Early life
Gilad Avraham Segev was born on November 16, 1974, in Ramat Gan, Israel, to a Syrian-Polish Jewish family. Growing up, his parents didn't talk much about their pasts as they embraced their new lives in Israel. This led Segev on a quest to learn and connect with his roots and “hidden identities” through music.
Segev started playing music at 11 years old. He studied at Tel Aviv University and graduated with a degree in Media and Management.
Career
2000-2008: Career beginnings and breakthrough
In 2000, Segev got his first big career break by writing the song “I Forgive” for the legendary American-Israeli singer Josie Katz, who is best known for forming the 1960s Israeli pop-rock band The High Windows with Arik Einstein and Shmulik Kraus.
Segev burst onto the music scene in 2004 with his first single, “Achshav Tov (It’s Good Now).” He wrote the song about his brother who tragically passed away. The song tells the story of a day the two had spent together just weeks before his passing. The song resonated with many Israelis and became a smash hit across the country, earning the title of the most broadcast song on Israeli radio that year. The hit single was then followed by the release of Segev's first album of the same name, which was produced by Gilad Shmueli and Ivri Lider. The album included other top singles including “Writing You a Story,” which was used as the theme song for the Israeli television drama, Peach, which starred Orna Banai.
In 2006, Segev found success again with the release of his second album “The Love That Stays,” also produced by Gilad Shmueli. The title track of the album rose to popularity as it was featured in Israeli telecommunications company HOT’s nationwide advertising campaign that year.
In 2007, Segev co-wrote the song "Let's Leave" with Elai Botner, which was performed by Ran Danker and Botner. The song would go on to become a big hit in Israel that year, winning "Song of the Year" at the 2007 Israeli Music Channel Awards.
2009-2014: Finding his roots
After the release of his second album, Segev had “a revelation” and “locked” himself in isolation for three-and-a-half years. During this time, he studied the music, traditions, prayers, and instruments of Syria and Eastern Europe, the regions of the world where his parents originated from.
In 2009, the result of Segev's years in isolation would become his third – and most personal – album release yet, “Noadnu (We Were Meant to Be).” The album is widely regarded as “the first Polish-Syrian-Jewish-Israeli album” and ushered in a brand-new sound for Segev that serves as a dialogue between his two East and West identities.
The album was a big success and went on to achieve certified Gold record status. The album's hit song “Isha M'hashamayim (Woman From The Sky)” garnered millions of views on YouTube and became Israel's most broadcast song on the radio in 2009. This became the second hit song of Segev's to achieve this title. The headlining song on the album, also called “Noadnu,” was a cover of the Swedish electronic-music band The Knife's song “Marble House.”
Segev collaborated with Rising Star winner Roni Dalumi in 2010 to release her first single, “Ten (Give).” He wrote the song's lyrics, which were based on Gloria Estefan’s hit Spanish song “Hoy.” The song has since become one of the most played songs of the decade in Israel.
In 2011, Segev collaborated with the Madboojah Project. He performed Nathan Alterman's “Chana'leh Hitbalbelah,” which became the fourth most-played song on Israeli radio that year. Over the next two years, Segev would also serve on the selection committee for Israel's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 2012, Segev released the single “Holy Day,” which would go on to break the record for most plays in a week on Israeli radio. The music video for “Holy Day” was shot in Los Angeles by famed music video director Lior Molcho, in collaboration with American production teams that have worked with the likes of Taylor Swift, Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, and Lil Wayne.