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Matisyahu

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 173.79.59.83 (talk) at 20:06, 18 December 2011 (→‎Early Life: mati was on drugs followin Phish's tour, so are we sure it was in 95 that he went to Alexander Muss High School (Israel)?). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the 2nd century BCE Jewish high priest of the Maccabees, see Mattathias.
Matisyahu
Matisyahu performing, August 9th, 2011
Matisyahu performing, August 9th, 2011
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Paul Miller
Also known asMatisyahu, MC Truth
GenresReggae, reggae fusion, alternative rock, hip hop
Occupation(s)Singer, rapper, activist
Instrument(s)Vocals, beatboxing
Years active2000–present
LabelsJDub
Epic/SBMG Records
WebsiteMatisyahuWorld.com

Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), better known by his Hebrew name and stage name Matisyahu, is an American reggae and alternative rock musician who used to be a Hassidic Jew.

Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing sounds, Matisyahu's single "King Without a Crown" was a Top 40 hit in the United States.[1] Since 2004, he has released three studio albums as well as two live albums, two remix CDs and two DVDs featuring live concerts. Through his career, Matisyahu has worked with Bill Laswell and reggae producers Sly & Robbie.

Biography

Early Life

Matisyahu was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His family eventually settled in White Plains in Westchester County, New York.[2] He was brought up a Reconstructionist Jew, and attended Hebrew school at Bet Am Shalom, a synagogue in White Plains. He spent much of his childhood learning the various tenets of Judaism, but by the time he was a teenager, Matisyahu began to rebel against his rigid upbringing [3]. He started taking drugs and dropped out of White Plains High School. He became a self-professed "Phish-head," taking hallucinogens and following the rock band Phish on tour [4]. He finished high school at a wilderness program in Bend, Oregon[5] .

In the fall of 1995[citation needed], Matisyahu took part in a two month-long program that offers students first-hand exploration of Jewish heritage at the Alexander Muss High School (Israel) in Hod Hasharon, Israel. His experiences there significantly affected his feelings towards Judaism eventually leading to his decision to adopt Orthodox Judaism, becoming a Baal Teshuva around 2001. Initially he found his way to the Carlebach Shul on the West Side of Manhattan. Matisyahu then found his way to Chabad of Washington Square. Matisyahu then began playing with the Jewish band Pey Dalid [6]. At the age of 19 Miller joined the Lubavitch school of Hasidic Judaism and began to go by the Hebrew form of Matthew: Matisyahu.

2001 - 2007

From 2001 through July 2007, Matisyahu was affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. However, as of July 17, 2007, he told the Miami New Times in an interview that he no longer "necessarily" identifies with the Lubavitch movement. In the interview, he stated that "...the more I'm learning about other types of Jews, I don't want to exclude myself. I felt boxed in."[7] Additionally, in the fall of 2007, while on a family vacation spent primarily in Jerusalem's Nachlaot neighborhood, he expressed interest in another Hasidic sect, that of Karlin.[8] As of November 2007 he has confirmed a preference to pray at the Karliner synagogue in Boro Park where the custom is to ecstatically scream prayers; however he continues to reside in Crown Heights because of his wife's affinity for the community.[9]

Soon after his adoption of hasidism, Matisyahu began studying Torah at Hadar Hatorah, a yeshiva for returnees to Judaism where he wrote and recorded his first album. He counts Bob Marley, Phish,[10] God Street Wine and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach among his musical inspirations and gives credit to Rabbi Simon Jacobson's book Toward a Meaningful Life for the lyrical inspiration to Youth's title track. As part of his faith, he does not perform in concert on Friday nights in observance of the Jewish Sabbath. An exception to this occurred at a 2007 concert in Fairbanks, Alaska, which was allowed because the sun did not set until 2:00 a.m.[11]

Personal Life

While studying The Torah at Yeshiva, he began to have sexual urges[12]. He was advised to get married. He had met NYU film student Talia when she interviewed him for a documentary about men and women not touching. Rabbi Korn set them up, and after three dates they married [13] in August 2004 [14]. Together they have sons Laivy(2005) and Shalom [15]. Son Nehemenah was recently born [16].

On December 13, 2011, Matisyahu posted a beardless picture of himself on Twitter, explaining on his website:

No more Chassidic reggae superstar. Sorry folks, all you get is me…no alias.
When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process.  It was my choice.  My journey :to discover my roots and explore Jewish spirituality—not through books but through real life.  At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity…to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth.  I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart.  I am reclaiming myself.  Trusting my goodness and my divine mission.
Get ready for an amazing year filled with music of rebirth.  And for those concerned with my naked face, don’t worry…
you haven’t seen the last of my facial hair."

Career

File:Etetete.jpg
Matisyahu performing at the Roskilde Festival in 2006

Miller performed for over a year as MC Truth in the Bend, Oregon band Soulfori.

In 2004, Matisyahu, after having signed with JDub Records, a nonprofit record label that promotes Jewish musicians, released his first album, Shake Off the Dust...Arise. At Bonnaroo 2005, Trey Anastasio of the band Phish invited him for a guest spot on his set.[17]

His major label debut album was produced by Bill Laswell, with minor contribution by pop producers Jimmy Douglass and the Ill Factor.

His live album, Live at Stubb's, released in 2006, was recorded at a concert in Austin, Texas was followed by the studio album Youth.

In 2005 and 2006 he toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe; and made a number of stops in Israel, including a performance as the supporting act for Sting in June 2006. In late 2006, he released No Place to Be, a remix album featuring re-recordings and remixes of songs from all three of his earlier albums, as well as a cover of "Message in a Bottle" by The Police.

The live version of the song King Without a Crown, broke into the Modern Rock Top 10 in 2006. The accompanying video and album, Youth, produced by Bill Laswell, was released on March 7, 2006. On March 16, Youth was Billboard magazine's number-one Digital Album. In 2006, he appeared once again at Bonnaroo, this time performing a solo set.[18]

In spring 2006, right before the release of Youth, he cut ties with his managers at JDub Records. JDub managed his act, but was not his record label.[19]

At the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, the film Unsettled, in which Matisyahu appears, won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature. While attending the festival, he performed in an impromptu concert at the Park City Film Music Festival in Park City, Utah. In the summer of 2007 he joined 311 on their Summer Unity Tour. He also performed in the 2008 documentary Call + Response.[20]

His third studio album, Light was released on August 25, 2009, along with the live EP Live at Twist & Shout.

From July 10 to July 30, 2010, Matisyahu (along with The Dirty Heads) supported Sublime with Rome (the new version of the band) on their US tour.[21]

In November 2009, NBC used Matisyahu's song "One Day" as background music for their advertisement of the Olympic games. This stirred up speculation that "One Day" may become the theme song for the 2010 Olympics. However, it remained only NBC's top pick, and was not announced to be the theme song.[22]

On August 2, 2010, Matisyahu revealed to OC Weekly that he has been writing new songs for his next album, which was expected to be recorded within weeks of his statement.[23]

On November 26, 2010, Matisyahu released a special edition Record Store Day Black Friday 7" vinyl called, Two for independent record stores.

Matisyahu recorded the Sephardic music-influenced hip hop song "Two Child One Drop" for the Sephardic Music Festival, Vol. 1 compilation album released by Shemspeed, alongside artists such as Hasidic rapper Y-Love, Israeli hip-hop group Hadag Nahash, and psychedelic rock/Sephardic fusion group Pharaoh's Daughter.[24]

On August 18, 2010, Matisyahu returned to Stubb's in Austin, Texas for another live recording for Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2. The album was released on February 1, 2011.[25]

In 2011 he embarked on a concert tour.

Artistic style

Matisyahu performance in 2005

Matisyahu fuses the contemporary styles of rap, beatboxing, and hip-hop in general, with the more traditional vocal disciplines of jazz's scat singing and Judaism's hazzan style of songful prayer—more often than not rolling it all into a dominant background of reggae music.[original research?] The New York Times' Kelefa Sanneh wrote that "His sound owes a lot to early dancehall reggae stars like Barrington Levy and Eek-a-Mouse."[26] The Chicago Tribune's Kevin Pang described a Matisyahu performance as "soul-shaking brand of dancehall reggae, a show that captures both the jam band vibe of Phish and the ska-punk of Sublime." [citation needed] Coming from his Jewish beliefs and compounding his use of the hazzan style, Matisyahu's lyrics are mostly English with more than occasional use of Hebrew and Yiddish.

In 2006, Matisyahu stated that "All of my songs are influenced and inspired by the teachings that inspire me. I want my music to have meaning, to be able to touch people and make them think. Chasidism teaches that music is 'the quill of the soul.' Music taps into a very deep place and speaks to us in a way that regular words can't."[27]

In 2009, he said about his recently released album Light, "I think the vast majority of people that respect what I do are willing to move with me. I think it's not so much about genres or styles of music as it is about expressing the emotion or the idea. ... Whatever allows you to do that, whatever style, as long as it's authentic." In 2010 he also confirmed his first speaking date at the University of Central Florida.[28]

Collaboration

Matisyahu, July 2007, Mansfield, Massachusetts; on tour with 311

Matisyahu has performed with Kenny Muhammad, a Muslim beatboxer. He also recorded the song "One Day" along with Akon.[29]

Matisyahu is featured on Trevor Hall's single "Unity" from his self-titled album. Matisyahu is also featured on "Roots in Stereo" and "Strength of My Life" from P.O.D.'s album Testify.

Matisyahu collaborated with Infected Mushroom on the song "One Day", as well as during various live sets.

Reception

Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. In 2006 he was named as Top Reggae Artist by Billboard[30] as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.[31] In 2006 Esquire's Esky Music Awards - Most Lovable Oddball in The magazine called him "the most intriguing reggae artist in the world."[32]

Origin of his name

Matisyahu is an Ashkenazic Hebrew pronunciation of a Biblical Hebrew name (מתתיהו, Mattathias), the name of the 2nd century BCE Jewish leader of the Maccabees' revolt. The English equivalent is Matthew.

Matisyahu Miller explained the origin of his personal use of the name in an interview in Kosher Spirit Magazine (a publication by OK Kosher Certification) as follows: His full secular name is Matthew Paul Miller, and the Hebrew name he received at his brit milah (circumcision ceremony) at eight days of age was forgotten. In Hebrew school it was assumed to be Matisyahu because of the connection between Matthew and Matisyahu. The original certificate from the brit was later located and he discovered that the actual name given at the brit was the Yiddish name "Feivish Hershel". He was advised by his rabbis to continue using the Hebrew name that he had grown up with.[33]

Touring members

Current
  • Matisyahu – vocals (2000–present)
  • Rob Marscher – keyboards (2008–present)
Dub Trio
  • Stu "Bassie" Brooks – bass guitar (2009–present)
  • Joe Tomino – drums (2009–present)
  • D.P. Holmes – guitar (2009–present)
Former
  • Borahm Lee – keyboards (2006–07)
  • Skoota Warner – drums (2007–08)
  • Jason Fraticelli – bass (2007–09)
Roots Tonic

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[34] 		US
Rap
[34] 		US
Reg.
[34] 		BEL (Fla)
[35] 		FIN
[36] 		IRL
[37] 		NLD
[38] 		SWE
[39] 		UK
[40]
2004 Shake Off the Dust... Arise
  • Released: October 12, 2004
  • Label: JDub
  • Formats: CD
 — — — — — — — — —
2006 Youth
  • Released: March 7, 2006
  • Label: JDub/Or Music/Epic
  • Formats: CD
 4 3 1 85 35 47 48 43 152

US: Gold[41]

2009 Light
  • Released: August 25, 2009
  • Label: JDub/Or Music/Epic
  • Formats: CD
 19 — 1 — — — — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Live albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[34] 		US
Rap
[34] 		US
Reg.
[34] 		NLD
[38]
2005 Live at Stubb's
  • Released: April 19, 2005
  • Label: JDub/Or Music
  • Formats: CD
 30 14 1 98

US: Gold[41]

2009 Live at Twist & Shout
  • Released: August 25, 2009
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD
 — — — —
2011 Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2
  • Released: February 1, 2011[42]
  • Label: MRI Associated Labels
  • Formats: CD, DVD
 — — 2 —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Remix albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
[34] 		US
Reg.
[34]
2006 Youth Dub
  • Released: March 7, 2006
  • Label: JDub/Or Music/Epic
  • Formats: CD
 — —
No Place to Be
  • Released: December 26, 2006
  • Label: Sony BMG/Or Music/Epic
  • Formats: CD
 146 1
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Extended plays

Year Album details US
Reg.
[34]
2008 Shattered
  • Released: November 8, 2008
  • Label: JDub/Or Music/Epic
  • Formats: CD
 1
2011 Miracle[43]
  • Released: November 21, 2011
  • Label: Fallen Sparks
  • Formats: CD
 —

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US

[34]

US
Alt.

[34]

US
Pop

[34]

US
Rock

[34]

JPN

[34]

2005 "King Without a Crown" 28 7 37 — — US: Gold[41] Live at Stubb's
Youth
Shake Off the Dust... Arise
2006 "Youth" 121 19 — — — Youth
"Jerusalem" — — — — —
2009 "One Day" 85 21 35 38 37 US: Gold[41] Light
2010 "Miracle" — — — — — Non-album single
2011 "Darkness into Light" — — — — — Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Guest appearances

  • So Called – The So Called Seder: A HipHop Haggadah, JDUB Records, 2005 [44]
Track 3rd Cup: Yahu (also featuring Trevor Dunn)
Tracks Roots In Stereo and Strength Of My Life
Track Rachamana
Track Childhood (also featuring Kosha Dillz)
Matisyahu & Dub Trio track Watching The Wheels (like all songs on the compilation this is a John Lennon cover)
  • Co-wrote the song "Away with This" with Joseph Israel ([1]) and performed it live on both February 19, 2005, in Austin, Texas at Stubb's ([2] YouTube Video of event) and again on December 8, 2007, in Brooklyn, New York at the Warsaw Theater ([3] YouTube Video of event).
  • Provided vocals for the track "Drown in the Now". The third track on The Crystal Method's 2009 album "Divided By Night".
  • Featured on cover of the Beatles's Within You Without You performed by Easy Star All Stars on the 2009 album Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band.[47]
  • Co-wrote and regularly performs "Unity" with Trevor Hall, 2009, a song encouraging the interfaith celebration of God
  • Sephardic Music Festival, Vol.1 - compilation, Shemspeed Records, 2010
Track Two Child One Drop

Cover versions

TV, radio, and film appearances

See also

References

  1. ^ "Matisyahu". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  2. ^ "Matisypupuahu Biography", AOL Music, accessed April 7, 2011.
  3. ^ http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/celeb_profiles_entertainment/32_matisyahu_.html#ixzz1guf5SzhO
  4. ^ "Matisyahu Picture". AskMen.com. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  5. ^ Anderman, Joan. Jewish MC rocks the mike and keeps it kosher, boston.com, 20 June 2004.
  6. ^ Blum, Brian. "Matisya-Who?", Shabbat Shalom, Orthodox Union, 15 June 2006.
  7. ^ Matisyahu Tonight at Sound Advice Amphitheatre. Miami New Times Blog, 17 July 2007.
  8. ^ The Bob and the Baba. HaAretz, Israel, 9 October 2007.
  9. ^ Nussbaum Cohen, Debra. "Matisyahu's New Spiritual Groove". The Jewish Week, 28 November 2007.
  10. ^ Rolling Stone. 'New CDs: Matisyahu, Juvenile, by Peter Relic. March 6, 2006
  11. ^ Oy!Chicago. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  12. ^ by Gaby Wood. www.guardian.co.uk http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/may/21/popandrock1. Retrieved 2006-05-20. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ They were set up by Rabbi Korn ('You have to set up a date through the rabbi') and went through a dating process that Matisyahu admits would make a great premise for a sitcom. 'After the date she called the rabbi and told him what happened, and I called the rabbi and told him what happened. Then we decided if we wanted to go another date. By the third date, I knew this was the person I wanted to marry.'
  14. ^ http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/matisyahu.html
  15. ^ by Matisyahu. "Matisyahu Live Chat – Monday 3/8 @ 4:30PM EST, Ustream.TV: Join Matisyahu on Monday 3/8 at 4:30pm EST for a live chat!". Ustream.tv. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  16. ^ Sun Dec 11 episode of 'Chef Roble & Co' where he catered a Kosher Vegan Event for Matisyahu
  17. ^ Serpick, Evan. "Matisyahu: Hasidic Hot Stepper", Rolling Stone, 24 February 2006.
  18. ^ "Bonnaroo". Buzznet. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  19. ^ Sisario, Ben. "Hasidic Reggae Singer Surprises His Managers", The New York Times, 14 March 2006.
  20. ^ "Call + Response". Callandresponse.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  21. ^ "Sublime with Rome Tour". Sublimewithrome.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  22. ^ "Matisyahu's "One Day" Official 2010 Olympics Song, or Just NBC's Top Pick? | The Vancouver Observer – News, Culture, Sports, Blogs in Vancouver, BC". The Vancouver Observer. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  23. ^ Bose, Lilledeshan (2 August 2010). "Matisyahu Talks About Touring with Sublime With Rome and His New Album". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  24. ^ "Sephardic Music Festival Compilation Vol.1".
  25. ^ Matisyahu announces Live at Stubb's Vol. II – Consequence of Sound
  26. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (March 8, 2006). "Dancehall With a Different Accent". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  27. ^ Matisyahu's Passover, Chabad.org, April 2006.
  28. ^ "More Jersey than Jamaica", Jerusalem Post, 30 August 2009.
  29. ^ Matisyahu, 'One Day' (Remix) Feat. Akon, Spinner, 15 January 2010.
  30. ^ Martens, Todd. "Sean Paul, Matisyahu reggae's top acts in '06", Reuters.
  31. ^ Slutsky, Carolyn. "Matisyahu: Clothes Horse, Diversity Poster Boy", Jewish Week, New York.
  32. ^ The 2006 Esky Music Awards April 2006, Volume 145, Issue 4.
  33. ^ "M on M - Hasidic Reggae Superstar", Kosher Spirit Magazine, Fall 2005.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Matisyahu Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  35. ^ "Discografie Matisyahu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  36. ^ "Discography Matisyahu". Finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  37. ^ "Discography Matisyahu". Irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  38. ^ a b "Discografie Matisyahu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  39. ^ "Discography Matisyahu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  40. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: M - My Vitriol". Zobbel. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  41. ^ a b c d "Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  42. ^ Rap Release Dates: Lecrae, Sam Snead, Talib Kweli, Atmosphere, Murs
  43. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/miracle-ep/id481174853
  44. ^ Amazon listing for Album, Track 9. Released Jun 21, 2005.
  45. ^ Amazon listing for Album, Tracks 1 and 11. Released Jan. 24, 2006
  46. ^ Amazon listing for Album, Track 2. Released Sept. 19, 2006.
  47. ^ Official Track Listing Easy Star Records, 2009
  48. ^ Internet Archive Setlist Live at The Funkbox on 2004-10-21
  49. ^ Internet Archive Setlist Live at 2004 Jewish-American Festival on 2004-09-05
  50. ^ Internet Archive Setlist Live at Toad's Place on 2007-12-02 (December 2, 2007)
  51. ^ Matisyahu World - Tour Archive Live at Knitting factory on 2009-06-25 (June 25, 2009)
  52. ^ "Orthodox Stance - press kit".

External links

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