How could I not? He blends beatboxing and the psalms, Chassidic sensibilities and upbeat reggae/dancehall/hip-hop. Check out Matisyahu.You can find videos of some of his performances on YouTube or Google — I recommend listening to/watching “Jerusalem”, from his recent album Youth. Here’s a sample of the lyrics:
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gonna come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it’s supposed to do.
Rebuild the temple and the crown of glory
Years gone by, about sixty
Burn in the oven in this century
And the gas tried to choke, but it couldn’t choke me
Years gone by, about sixty
Burn in the oven in this century
And the gas tried to choke, but it couldn’t choke me
I will not lie down, I will not fall asleep
They come overseas, yes they’re trying to be free
Erase the demons out of our memory
Change your name and your identity
Afraid of the truth and our dark history
Why is everybody always chasing we
Cut off the roots of your family tree
Don’t you know that’s not the way to be
They come overseas, yes they’re trying to be free
Erase the demons out of our memory
Change your name and your identity
Afraid of the truth and our dark history
Why is everybody always chasing we
Cut off the roots of your family tree
Don’t you know that’s not the way to be
I find that while his lyrics often evoke modern Jewish experience, his “Discover the truth” message and recently-embraced orthodoxy resonates in wider circles, taking the youthful rebellion typical of the genre and elevating it to something much more positive than the norm. Give him a listen and let me know what you think.
1 response so far ↓
1 Kate // Feb 18, 2007 at 6:02 am
I was surprised to see a post about Matisyahu from you; I did not know you had taken such a liking to him. I completely agree, though. His music is appealing on so many levels and more so for that very reason. Anyone who can put orthodoxy into an unconventional context and make it appetizing on a wide scale without it losing its flavor is an artist in the truest sense.
On a more personal note, I am glad you chose “Jerusalem” as an example. It’s one of my favorites.
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