Kobi Oz

Kobi Oz was born in 1969 in Sderot

Kobi Oz was born Ya'akov Uzan in Sderot, to a family of Tunisian Jewish origin. His parents moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1942. At 15 he changed his name to Kobi Oz and began playing music in his hometown.

He played keyboards in several groups, including the band Sfatayim. During his IDF service he began working as a solo artist, and in 1988 he released his first singles, which drew little radio attention.

Teapacks was founded in 1988, and Oz became its leader, singer and main songwriter. The band released its first album in 1992 and 9 studio albums before breaking up in 2008. It represented Israel at Eurovision 2007 with his song Push the Button, which did not reach the final, and returned to activity in 2014.

Oz also produced music for other artists, including the 1999 album of Knesiyat Hasekhel, and founded the label Levantini. He wrote the books Moshe Chuato and the Raven and Petty Hoodlum. In 2007 he organized a rally in Tel Aviv in support of Sderot residents, and in 2010 he released his second solo album.