Matisyahu raps and reggaes his faith

I would like to take a different angle for my story. I am going to combine one of my personal experiences with a music review of one of my favorite upcoming artists. A little less than a year ago, I was introduced to Matisyahu through my position as a DJ at the Vanderbilt Radio Station. Matisyahu, a four-man band, creates a sound that can be described as a combination of reggae, rock, and hip-hop. This truly unique sound is further complemented by Matthew Miller, the vocalist for the band and the man who goes by the name of Matisyahu. He is a Hasidic Jew, and presents the aspects of his faith and belief through his music, lyrics, and appearance on stage.

Last fall, I got the chance to see Matisyahu perform live at the Exit/Inn in Nashville, and it was truly a life-changing performance. Matisyahu's three instrumental musicians are all professionally jazz trained, so the concert began with the guitarist, bassist, and drummer on stage laying down a thick groove. Then, Matisyahu himself entered the stage. His appearance is unique among the world of popular music, as he wears the traditional black suit coat, top hat, and kippah seen among Hasidic Jewish men, along with the long beard and sideburns that are also typical. As he began to sing, his vocals amazed me. He is able to create a type of music that is enjoyable to a large amount of people, while also filling the lyrics with his faith and values. He sings about different stories from the Torah, such as David's defeat of Goliath in the song "Chop 'em Down." His songs are very socially oriented as well. A great example of this is shown in the chorus of the song "Youth," the title track of Matisyahu's newly released studio album.

Young man, control in your hands,
Slam your fist on the table and make your demands.
Take a stand, fan the fire
For the flame of the youth,
You've got the freedom to choose,
You'd better make the right move.

Young man, the power's in your hands,
Slam your fist on the table and make your demands,
You've gotta make the right move.