Matisyahu (born Matthew Paul Miller, June 30, 1979) is an American reggae musician.
Known to combine traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip-hop sounds, Matisyahu is most known for orthodox Jews. Since 2004, he has released two studio albums and one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a concert, and a number of interviews. Through a short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Lasswell and duo Sly & Robbie.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as a spokesperson named Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States on June 30, 1979, according to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu parents sent him to Hebrew school twice a week, but like many children, he declined additional hours of school and are threatened with eviction for disturbing lesson.
At age 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the relaxed lifestyle of a young hippie. After falling to the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore Birkenstocks all winter long. He played the bongos in the dining room and learn how to beat-box in the back of the classroom. With 11 classes, though without the burden of days, Matisyahu could not ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down in chemistry class, he knew the mission must begin immediately. He decided to go on a camping trip in Colorado. Much of suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take a introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was in the stunning scenery of the Rocky Mountains that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity irritated and Matisyahu took the first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to God he found in Colorado. Israel is a major turning point. Matisyahu enjoy the time spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. At every corner he met with Jewish identity is not actively moving into the consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu did not know how to maintain a new relationship with Judaism. Feeling upset, she fatefully high school dropout and start following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about life, music, and the thirst for Judaism.
After several months, burned and broke, he returned home. At this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out in the wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. Schools encourage artistic activities and Matisyahu utilize this time to delve further into the music. He studied in the reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he knocked, singing, beat-box, and do almost anything he can keep the creative subject. It was then that he began to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound that one day he would become famous.
After two years in the "stick," 19-years old Matisyahu returned to New York has changed. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued to hone musical skills, and also experimented in theater. During this period, he happened to Band shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, known for his friendly and happy singing hippie vibe. This meeting sparked further soul-fire, turn to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he left the classroom to pray on the school roof. (Religion or not, people are not prepared for class.)
While studying at the New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park, and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the drama performance, life imitated his art strange Matisyahu. Indeed, years after the initial spark lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitch rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
Someone who once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He grew up in the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every effort to comply with Jewish law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It is surrounded by spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been looking for over a decade. Chaos and frustration in his search subsided, and now, two years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, divides her time between stage and yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Iwan Fals, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu performance is uplifting, powerful experience for all in front of him. Even the most pessimistic in the audience was inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a complicated topic as faith / spirituality. It is dedicated to trust and openness to others to force someone to honor the artistry and message. It's in a short time our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with a booming sound of faith.
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