Matisyahu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matisyahu
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| Birth name | Matthew Paul Miller |
| Born | June 30, 1979 West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Origin | White Plains, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
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Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known as Matisyahu, is an American singer, rapper, and musician. He mixes different music styles like reggae, hip hop, and rock. He is also known for his amazing beatboxing skills.
Matisyahu often blends spiritual ideas into his music. His song "King Without a Crown" became a Top 40 hit in the United States in 2005. Since 2004, he has released many albums and performed all over the world. He has worked with famous music producers like Bill Laswell and Sly & Robbie. Matisyahu has also appeared in movies as an actor.
Early Life and Musical Journey
Matthew Paul Miller was born on June 30, 1979, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His family later moved to White Plains, New York. He grew up in a Jewish family and went to Hebrew school.
As a teenager, Matisyahu started to explore different paths. He became a big fan of the rock band Phish and even followed them on tour.
In 1995, he spent two months in Israel at a special program. This trip helped him learn more about his Jewish background. After returning to New York, he decided to leave high school to travel across the U.S.
He later finished high school at a wilderness program in Bend, Oregon. In Oregon, he felt unique as "Matt, the Jewish rapper kid from New York." This time helped him discover more about his own identity and how important his Jewish faith was to him.
When he came back to New York, he started creating his own reggae music. He spent hours writing and practicing his style, mixing it with hip-hop beats. At the same time, he began praying and learning more about Orthodox Judaism. He started attending a synagogue and wearing traditional Jewish items like a yarmulke (a head covering) and tzitzit (a special fringed garment).
Music Career Highlights
Matisyahu first performed as "MC Truth" in Oregon. In 2004, he signed with JDub Records and released his first album, Shake Off the Dust... Arise. He used the name Matisyahu for this album.
At the 2005 Bonnaroo Music Festival, Trey Anastasio from the band Phish invited Matisyahu to perform with him. Matisyahu also opened for some Dave Matthews Band concerts in 2006.
His second album, Live at Stubb's, was recorded in Austin, Texas. The live version of "King Without a Crown" became a top song on modern rock radio in 2006.
In 2005 and 2006, Matisyahu toured a lot in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He even performed in Israel, opening for the famous singer Sting. His album Youth, released in 2006, became the number-one digital album on Billboard magazine.
In 2006, Esquire magazine called Matisyahu "the most intriguing reggae artist in the world."
His third studio album, Light, came out in 2009. Around this time, he started working often with the band Dub Trio. In 2009, his song "One Day" was used by NBC for an advertisement for the Olympic games.
In 2011, he released Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2. His fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, came out in 2012. It included the popular song "Sunshine."
In 2014, Matisyahu released Akeda, which had a simpler, "stripped back" sound. It quickly reached the iTunes Top 10.
Concert Cancellations and Response
In 2015, a music festival in Spain called Rototom Sunsplash canceled Matisyahu's performance. This happened after some groups asked him to sign a letter about politics. The festival later apologized and re-invited him to perform after many people around the world spoke out against the cancellation. Matisyahu performed peacefully, but he later said the experience was difficult.
In October 2015, Matisyahu performed in Jerusalem, Israel. He said it was important for American Jews like him to visit Israel, no matter what was happening there.
In 2016, Matisyahu toured 12 US college campuses. This tour was a response to the festival cancellation in 2015. He released a five-song album called Release the Bound that year.
His sixth studio album, Undercurrent, was released in 2017. In 2022, he released his self-titled album, Matisyahu, which was his seventh studio album.
In early 2024, some of Matisyahu's concerts in the U.S. were canceled. This was due to safety concerns and protests related to his views on the conflict in Israel. Matisyahu responded by saying that these actions were unfair. He said he has empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians. He also performed two shows in Israel to show his support for his fans there.
Musical Style and Influences
Matisyahu mixes different music styles like reggae, rap, and hip-hop. He also uses vocal techniques from jazz (like scat singing) and Jewish prayer songs (called hazzan style).
Music critics have said his sound is similar to early dancehall reggae artists. One critic described his performances as a "soul-shaking" mix of reggae, like a jam band and ska-punk.
Matisyahu has said that his songs are inspired by his spiritual beliefs. He wants his music to have meaning and to touch people. He believes music can reach a very deep part of us.
He has also said that he is open to different music styles as long as they help him express his feelings and ideas.
Personal Life and Family
Matisyahu married Tahlia Silverman in 2004. They have three sons: Laivy (born 2005), Shalom, and Menachem Mendel (born 2011). They later divorced but continue to share parenting duties.
He also has a daughter, Sasha, born in 2014, with a former girlfriend. Sasha was born with a heart condition but has recovered after several surgeries.
In 2019, Matisyahu married Talia Dressler. They have a daughter (born 2020) and a son (born 2022).
His oldest son, Laivy Miller, started his own music career in 2022 and has performed with his father on tour.
His Name's Meaning
The name Matisyahu comes from an old Hebrew name, Mattithyahu. It means 'gift of God'. This name belonged to a Jewish leader from long ago, Mattathias, who led a revolt in the 2nd century BCE. It is also the origin of the English name Matthew.
Matisyahu learned that his Hebrew name was given to him at a young age. His rabbis advised him to keep using the name he had grown up with.
Collaborations with Other Artists
Matisyahu has worked with many different musicians. He has performed with Kenny Muhammad, a Muslim beatboxer. He also recorded the song "One Day" with Akon, who is also Muslim.
He has been featured on songs by artists like Trevor Hall, P.O.D, Shyne, Infected Mushroom, Moon Taxi, and The Crystal Method.
In 2015, Matisyahu collaborated with the famous DJ Avicii on his album "Stories." He sang on the song "Can't Catch Me" with Wyclef Jean. He has also worked with Common Kings and Hirie.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Shake Off the Dust... Arise (2004)
- Youth (2006)
- Light (2009)
- Spark Seeker (2012)
- Akeda (2014)
- Undercurrent (2017)
- Matisyahu (2022)
Live Albums
- Live at Stubb's (2005)
- Live at Twist & Shout (2009)
- Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2 (2011)
- Five7Seven2 Live (2013)
- Live at Stubb's Vol. III (2015)
Remix Albums
- Youth Dub (2006)
- No Place to Be (2006)
EPs (Extended Plays)
- Shattered EP (2008)
- Youth EP (2009)
- Miracle (2011)
- Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions (2013)
- Release the Bound (2016)
Filmography
- A Buddy Story (2010) as Chassid
- The Possession (2012) as Tzadok
Images for kids
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Matisyahu crowd surfing at a festival in Hawaii, 2014
See also
In Spanish: Matisyahu para niños
