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–current |
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Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known as Matisyahu (pronounced mah-tih-SAH-hoo), is an American singer, rapper, beatboxer, and musician. He is famous for mixing spiritual ideas with reggae, rock, and hip hop sounds.
His song "King Without a Crown" was a Top 40 hit in the United States in 2005. Since 2004, Matisyahu has released seven studio albums and many live albums. He has worked with famous producers like Bill Laswell and Sly & Robbie. Matisyahu has also acted in movies.
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Matisyahu's Early Life and 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 home and went to Hebrew school. As a teenager, Matthew started to explore different paths. He had a life-changing experience at a concert in 1995.
In the fall of 1995, Matthew attended a program in Hod Hasharon, Israel. During this time, he became more interested in his Jewish heritage. After returning to New York, he faced some challenges. He left White Plains Senior High School and followed the rock band Phish on tour. He then went to a special program in upstate New York.
Later, Matthew attended a wilderness school for teenagers in Bend, Oregon. He finished high school there. He told The Forward in 2008 that this time helped him find his own identity. In Oregon, he started playing music at open mic nights. He was inspired by reggae and hip hop.
He returned to New York and began studying Jewish spirituality. He also started to develop his unique reggae style. He spent hours writing and practicing music. At the same time, he started attending a Jewish synagogue. He began to follow Jewish traditions more closely. In November 2001, Matthew became part of the Chabad Lubavitch Movement. He moved to Crown Heights in early 2002.
Matisyahu's Music Career
Matthew performed for over a year as MC Truth in Oregon. In 2004, he signed with JDub Records. He released his first album, Shake Off the Dust... Arise, under the name Matisyahu. At the Bonnaroo 2005, Trey Anastasio from the band Phish invited Matisyahu to perform. Matisyahu also opened for some Dave Matthews Band shows in 2006.
His second album, Live at Stubb's, was recorded in Austin, Texas. The live version of "King Without a Crown" became a Modern Rock Top 10 hit in 2006. Matisyahu's second studio album, Youth, came out on March 7, 2006. It quickly became Billboard magazine's number-one digital album.
In 2005 and 2006, Matisyahu toured a lot in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He also performed in Israel. Critics praised Matisyahu's music. In 2006, Billboard named him Top Reggae Artist. Esquire magazine called him "the most intriguing reggae artist in the world."
In 2007, Matisyahu appeared in the film Unsettled, which won an award. His third studio album, Light, was released on August 25, 2009. He also began working with members of the Dub Trio around this time. In November 2009, NBC used Matisyahu's song "One Day" in an advertisement for the Olympic games.
On February 1, 2011, he released Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2. He toured the United States to support this album. In July 2012, Matisyahu released his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker. This album included the popular song "Sunshine."
On June 3, 2014, Matisyahu released Akeda. He described this album as having a "stripped back sound." Akeda quickly reached the iTunes Top 10. His tour for the album started in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In August 2015, a festival in Spain canceled Matisyahu's performance. This happened after some groups asked him to sign a letter about politics. Many organizations around the world criticized this decision. Two days later, the festival apologized and re-invited him. 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 to visit Israel. Jerusalem's mayor thanked him for performing. In 2016, Matisyahu toured US college campuses. This tour was a response to the festival cancellation.
On November 18, 2016, Matisyahu released Release the Bound, a five-song digital EP. His sixth studio album, Undercurrent, came out on May 19, 2017. In February 2018, his song "One Day" was featured in the IMAX film Dream Big.
In October 2021, Matisyahu released the single "Chameleon." He followed this with "Keep Coming Back For More" in January 2022. These songs were from his self-titled album, released on March 25, 2022. This was his seventh studio album.
In February and March 2024, some of Matisyahu's concerts were canceled. This was due to safety concerns related to his views on Israel. Pro-Palestinian activists said they caused the cancellations. Matisyahu responded by saying he has empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians. He also said, "we will not respond to hate with hate." After the cancellations, Matisyahu performed two shows in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Musical Collaborations
Matisyahu has worked with many other artists. He performed with Kenny Muhammad, a Muslim beatboxer. He also recorded "One Day" with Akon, who is also Muslim. Matisyahu is featured on Trevor Hall's song "Unity."
He also appeared on songs like "Roots in Stereo" and "Strength of My Life" by P.O.D. Matisyahu collaborated with Shyne on "Buffalo Soldier" from his 2012 album Spark Seeker. He worked with Infected Mushroom on a version of "One Day."
Matisyahu has also collaborated with Moon Taxi, The Crystal Method, and Dirty Heads. In 2013, he was featured on Nosson Zand's song "Believers." He was part of the album Songs for a Healthier America, a project by Michelle Obama's initiative. In 2015, Matisyahu worked with Avicii and Wyclef Jean on the song "Can't Catch Me." More recently, he was featured on "Broken Crowns" by Common Kings in 2018, "Blacklist" by Hirie in 2022, and "Casio Magic" by Coyote Island in 2023.
Matisyahu's Artistic Style
Matisyahu combines different musical styles. He blends reggae, rap, beatboxing, and hip-hop. He also uses vocal techniques from jazz scat singing and Jewish prayer. The New York Times said his sound is similar to early dancehall reggae artists.
The Chicago Tribune described his performances as "soul-shaking dancehall reggae." They said his shows have a mix of jam band and ska punk vibes.
In 2006, Matisyahu explained that his songs are inspired by his spiritual beliefs. He wants his music to have meaning and make people think. He believes music can connect with deep emotions. In 2009, he said he uses different styles to express ideas. He feels that as long as the music is real, it works.
Matisyahu's Personal Life
Family Life
Matisyahu met Tahlia Silverman when she interviewed him for a documentary. They got married in August 2004. They have three sons: Laivy (born 2005), Shalom, and Menachem Mendel (born 2011). In 2014, Matisyahu shared that he and Tahlia had divorced about two years earlier. However, they remain friends and share parenting duties.
Matisyahu also has a daughter named Sasha, born in 2014, with his longtime friend Toma Danley. Sasha was born in Portland, Oregon. She was diagnosed with a rare heart condition and had three open-heart surgeries. She has since recovered fully. Matisyahu and Toma continue to share parenting responsibilities for Sasha.
Matisyahu later met Talia Dressler and they got engaged when she was 18. They married on April 20, 2019, in a private ceremony. They have a daughter born in 2020 and a son born in 2022.
His oldest son, Laivy Miller, started his own music career in 2022. Laivy joined his father's summer tour across the US that same year. Laivy released several songs in 2023 and his first EP in November 2024.
His Spiritual Journey
From 2001 to 2007, Matisyahu was connected to the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish community in Crown Heights. He studied Jewish texts and recorded his first album during this time. He was inspired by artists like Bob Marley and by Jewish teachings. As part of his faith, he did not perform concerts on Friday nights because of the Jewish Sabbath.
However, in July 2007, he told the Miami New Times that he no longer fully identified with the Lubavitch movement. He felt "boxed in" and wanted to explore other Jewish groups. In November 2007, he showed interest in another group called Karlin.
On December 13, 2011, Matisyahu shaved his beard. He posted a picture of himself without a beard on Twitter. He explained that he was "reclaiming myself" and trusting his own path. Even after shaving his beard, Matisyahu remained a religious Jew. He began attending a Hasidic synagogue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Views on Current Events
In 2012, Matisyahu stated his understanding that there was never a country called Palestine. He has performed for the IDF and supported Israelis. He has voiced support for Israel during conflicts. In January 2024, he shared his hope for peace and a new world in Gaza where Jews can return to the Middle East. He also said he wants to see those who believe Israel has no right to exist defeated. Following concert cancellations in 2024, Matisyahu expressed sadness but emphasized that "we will not respond to hate with hate."
The Meaning of His Name
The name Matisyahu comes from an old Hebrew name, Mattithyahu. It means 'gift of God'. This was the name of a Jewish leader from long ago, Mattathias, who led a revolt. It is also the origin of the English name Matthew.
Matisyahu explained that he received a Hebrew name when he was a baby. His family later thought it was Matisyahu because of the connection to Matthew. They later found his birth certificate and learned his actual Yiddish name was "Feivish Hershel." However, his rabbis advised him to keep using Matisyahu, the name he grew up with.
Touring Band Members
- Current Members
- Matisyahu – vocals
- Aaron Dugan – guitar
- Jason Fraticelli – bass
- Jason Lindner – keyboards
- Matt Scarano – drums
- Dub Trio
- Stu Brooks – bass guitar (since 2009)
- Joe Tomino – drums (since 2009)
- D.P. Holmes – guitar (since 2009)
- Other Current Collaborators
- Salt Cathedral (Juliana Ronderos and Nicolas Losada) – production (since 2016)
- Rob Marscher – keyboards (since 2008)
- Tim Keiper – drums
- Former Members
- Joe Tomino – drums (2015)
- Stu Brooks – bass (2015)
- Big Yuki – keyboards (2016)
- Borahm Lee – keyboards (2006–2007)
- Skoota Warner – drums (2007–2008)
- Ezra Miller – drums, vocals (August 2023 - September 2023)
- Roots Tonic
- Aaron Dugan – guitar (2004–2010)
- Jonah David – drums (2004–2007)
- Josh Werner – bass (2004–2007)
Matisyahu's Music Albums
- 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)
- Compilation Albums
- Playlist: The Very Best of Matisyahu (2012)
Matisyahu in Films
- A Buddy Story (2010) as Chassid
- The Possession (2012) as Tzadok
See also
In Spanish: Matisyahu para niños
