What do you get when when you mix reggae, rock, hip hop and traditional Judaism? The beautifully soulful musical artistry of Matisyahu.
Matisyahu is a musician that defies classification. He is simply an artist that shows music really has no bounds. My first introduction to this artist was on a NYC TV show where I saw this reggae artist diving into a crowd and he was dressed in a traditional hassidic outfit. First I thought this was a gimmick, but after listening to his album, Light, I realize his skills were legit. He is known for his hits "King without a Crown' and "One Day" both making it to the top of rock and reggae charts. But he has many influences in his music style. Matisyahu musical range include beatboxing, rapping, Jazz styled scat singing, and Judaism Hazzan style of prayer singing.
This past week he played four concerts in NYC for the Festival of Lights at the Williamsburg Music and Webster Halls. On Thursday night, Webster Hall was packed with adoring fans singing many of his hits and crowd diving from the stage. As a giant disco driedel hangs from the ceiling, Matisyahu dances, beatbox, and sing most of his hits from his various albums.
Webster Hall - Festival of Light - Youth
One Day
Time of your song
King without a crown
Concert Pros
1. Great band and performance by Matisyahu
2. Disco Driedel... pretty cool actually.
3. Yiddish Lil Wayne guy that came to rap.
Cons
1. No beard on Matisyahu which is a signature look for him. Good music anyways.
2. Venue was okay. Good for this type of concert but a bit warm.
Check out Matisyahu music if you want something a little different this holiday season.
Albums - Light, Live at Stubbs I & II, Youth, Shake of the dust
Or catch a live show... he is always touring all around the world.
S.F Guru
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