Matisyahu is a Jewish American beatboxer, reggae vocalist, and alternative rock musician. He is renowned for his unconventional musical approach. Matisyahu combines the traditional Jewish manner with rock and hip-hop. All of his albums have enjoyed immense popularity among American music fans. His distinctive vocal quality has also been discussed in the music industry. Matisyahu was reared in a strict family where he was required to study Judaism’s tenets. Although he rebelled against Judaism and its teachings as a youth, he later embraced the religion and its principles. He expressed his spiritual personality through his lyrics. Matisyahu created a novel beatboxing style, which won him many admirers. He has appeared in several films. He is presently working to advance his singing career to new heights.
Youth and Early Life
Matthew Paul Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on June 30, 1979. His family initially relocated to California before settling in White Plains, New York. His family consisted of Jewish Reconstructionists. Matisyahu was reared in accordance with Jewish orthodoxy. He attended Hebrew school, where he was required to study Jewish doctrine. Subsequently, he enrolled at ‘White Plains Senior High School.’
During his adolescence, Matisyahu rebelled against strict instruction and pulled out of school. During this time, he developed a substance addiction. During his adolescent years, Matisyahu was a fervent fan of the rock group Phish. At the age of 14, he participated in a youth wilderness expedition. There, he realized the significance of his Jewish heritage.
Matisyahu was soon referred to as the “Jewish rapper kid.” Matisyahu was associated with Hasidic Judaism from 2001 to 2007. He became deeply interested in spirituality. He changed his name to “Matisyahu,” which means “God’s Gift.”
Career As A Singer
Matisyahu began his career as a singer in Bend, Oregon, as a rapper. Over a year, he performed as “MC Truth” on stage. Matisyahu secured a contract with the Jewish music label JDub Records in 2004. In October of 2004, he released his debut album, titled “Shake Off the Dust…Arise.”
In 2005, Matisyahu published his single “King Without a Crown.”The single was a condensed version of the composition that appeared on his debut album. It was one of his career’s biggest successes. It reached the number 28 position on the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ and the number seven position on the ‘Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Trey Anastasio, a member of the band Phish, invited Matisyahu to perform with him on stage at the 2005 Bonnaroo Music Festival. The audience applauded him for his improvisational beatboxing and lyrical acrobatics. Matisyahu recorded his live album ‘Live at Stubb’s’ in 2006. It was recorded at a concert in Austin under the ‘Or Music’ label. This album entered the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart at number five. The music video for the tune “King Without a Crown” was included on the CD.
Matisyahu issued his second studio album, titled “Youth,” in 2006. The album was intended to promote the youth’s voice. The compositions’ lyrics contained references to Jewish beliefs. The debut position of ‘Youth’ on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart was number four. Overall, it ranked third on the Reggae album charts in 2006.
Matisyahu toured the United States and Europe in 2005 and 2006, delivering live performances. Billboard named him the “Top Reggae Artist” in 2006. At the ‘Esky Music Awards in 2006, he was named the ‘Most Adorable Oddball’ by the American publication Esquire.
The documentary film ‘Unsettled,’ starring Matisyahu, was awarded the ‘Grand Jury Prize’ for ‘Best Documentary Feature’ at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. The film depicted the lives and experiences of six teenage Israelis. In 2009, ‘NBC’ used ‘One Day’ by Matisyahu as the backdrop music for their ‘Olympics’ advertisement. Matisyahu published his third studio album, ‘Light,’ in 2009. This album also achieved widespread popularity. It dominated the Billboard Reggae Albums chart for 34 weeks.
In 2010, Matisyahu made his movie début. In the film A Buddy Story, he portrayed ‘Chassid’. In 2012, he portrayed the Jewish cleric Tzadok in the film The Possession. In the supernatural horror film, ‘Tzadok’ was portrayed as a cleric attempting to save a family possessed by evil.
Matisyahu issued his album “Spark Seeker” in 2012. It entered the chart at number 19 on the Billboard 200. In 2014, he released his fifth studio album, titled “Akeda.” The album’s title alludes to the biblical narrative of ‘The Binding of Isaac.’
Matisyahu released ‘Release the Bound,’ a digital EP with new music in 2016. In 2017, he released his sixth album, titled “Undercurrent.” Matisyahu has collaborated with a number of notable musicians. He has beatboxed alongside Kendy Muhammad. Additionally, he has worked with J Ralph, Akon, and Shyne.
Matisyahu’s Personal Life
In August of 2004, Matisyahu wed ‘New York University film student Tahlia. They have three children together: Laivy, Shalom, and Menachem Mendel. When Matisyahu began drifting away from Hasidic Judaism, the couple divorced. They maintain cordial relations and share parental responsibilities.
Matisyahu has a daughter named Sasha Lillian with his ex-girlfriend, Toma Danley, whom he met while participating in an Oregon wilderness program. Sasha underwent cardiac surgery in 2015. Matisyahu asked his fans to pray for his daughter’s health, and many of them were astonished to learn that he had a daughter.
Estimated Net Worth
American musician and lyricist Matisyahu has a net worth of $4 million. Matthew Paul Miller was born in June 1979 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was raised as a Reconstructionist Jew, but he rebelled and began using narcotics and touring with the band Phish.
Trivia
Matisyahu rigorously observed the ‘Jewish Sabbath,’ which begins at sundown on Fridays, when he was affiliated with Hasidic Judaism. He never performed Friday night concerts. When he performed in Alaska, he deviated from this pattern, as the Sun did not set until 12 am in Alaska.
Matisyahu experimented with his appearance in 2011 by shaving off his goatee. In 2012, he appeared in an online video without the traditional Jewish skullcap (yarmulke). It resulted in criticism from the Jewish blogosphere.
Matisyahu is vegan. He serves on the board of directors for the Jewish vegan organization Shamayim V’Aretz Institute.