Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
Beat Box and violin@
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like this, Like this.
It?s the music that grows all the illusion and fears.
It?s the music that makes the confusion become clear.
It?s the music that I live, these 18 years.
It?s the music I give my blood, sweat, and tears.
Not to mention some lifer,
Did I mention I like her?
Music gets people hyper,
Music made me a riper.
Music made me a fighter.
Yo man, pass me the lighter.
It?s the fire that igniter, shot it right in the sky.
Look me right in the eye.
Hey yo kid, you want to fly.
The why-o, the n-ya, from N.Y. to egg white.
You cannot deny so why even try.
My mother sang songs to kids in concentration.
His mother sang songs inside the cotton plantation.
Her mother sang songs while we were robbin the nation.
Now I sing songs for much more then an occupation.
I am the music.
We are the music.
I am the music.
You are the music
Austin is the music.
Texas is the music.
We are the mu-sic.
Yo I take two steps forward.
Taking one step back.
Every time I think I am on track, Life fades to black.
Now I pick the slack and attack faster then a rapper on crack.
Feel my knack and just spit.
I bet there?s more triplets 'cause rap has hit vicious.
My style is more delicious the eggnog.
You wish this kid would vanish, so?s his family,
And my spirit needs fitness, that why I flip this.
Yo so I held back the life and blown and feeling.
Alright surprising people 'cause I drowned last night.
Here I am one more time,
My rhymes are at your shine.
I?m ripping over ribbons life swimming through time.
Sit back in unwind,
Let your brain unravel.
Slip sliding away like travelin on wet gravel,
Ain?t no need to battle if need be, yah..
In the song Beatbox by Matisyahu, he talks about the power of music to make people feel and to heal. The song begins with Matisyahu asking the crowd how they are feeling before introducing the central theme of the song- the power of music. He says that music has the ability to make illusions and fears disappear, to bring clarity to life's confusions, and to help people overcome their struggles. The music he gives his blood, sweat, and tears to is a force that has made him into a fighter, and a riper artist. He then goes on to talk about how music brings out the best in people, how it never fails to get people hyped, and how it has given so much to him throughout his life.
The second verse sees Matisyahu rapping about his personal journey and his struggles with life's challenges. He talks about taking two steps forward and one step back, feeling like he is on track, but then life fades to black. This is when he had to pick up the slack and attack his fears like he was cracking. He then goes on to talk about how his music has been his guide, his light in the dark, his way of staying afloat. The song ends with Matisyahu stating that he is the music, that they are the music, and that the spirit of music will always shine a light on people's lives and make them better.
Line by Line Meaning
Austin how you all feeling.
Matisyahu greets the city of Austin and its people, asking how they're doing.
Like this, Like this.
The people respond positively to Matisyahu's greeting, indicating that they're feeling good and energized.
It?s the music that grows all the illusion and fears.
Matisyahu believes that music has the power to make people face their fears and overcome their illusions.
It?s the music that makes the confusion become clear.
Music has the potential to help people understand what's happening around them and make sense of the world.
It?s the music that I live, these 18 years.
Matisyahu has dedicated his life to music, having been involved in it for 18 years.
It?s the music I give my blood, sweat, and tears.
Matisyahu has put a lot of effort and emotion into his music, having given it his all.
Not to mention some lifer,
Matisyahu hints at having some criminal connections, but doesn't elaborate further.
Did I mention I like her?
Matisyahu is attracted to someone and wants to express that sentiment tangentially.
Then the rest of the cipher man it?s not hard to decipher.
The other messages in his lyrics are also fairly easy to understand.
Music gets people hyper,
Music has the power to excite and energize people.
Music made me a riper.
Matisyahu believes that music has helped him mature and grow as a person.
Music made me a fighter.
Matisyahu sees music as something that has given him strength and resilience, allowing him to overcome difficult situations.
Yo man, pass me the lighter.
Matisyahu asks for a lighter, likely to light a cigarette or joint.
It?s the fire that igniter, shot it right in the sky.
Matisyahu sees a metaphorical connection between music and fire, as both have the power to inspire and ignite passion.
Look me right in the eye.
Matisyahu wants people to pay attention to what he's saying and the message he's trying to convey.
Hey yo kid, you want to fly.
Matisyahu is addressing someone, possibly someone who feels trapped or stuck in their current situation, and asking them if they want to break free and fly.
The why-o, the n-ya, from N.Y. to egg white.
Matisyahu plays with language and uses poetic rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
You cannot deny so why even try.
Matisyahu believes that the power of music is undeniable, and therefore questions why people would even try to deny it.
My mother sang songs to kids in concentration.
Matisyahu's mother sang songs to children while in a concentration camp, as a way to comfort and distract them from the surrounding horrors.
His mother sang songs inside the cotton plantation.
Matisyahu is referring to a collective history of oppressed people using music as a form of resistance and survival, in this case through the example of someone's mother singing while in bondage.
Her mother sang songs while we were robbin the nation.
Another reference to a past history of using music to fight oppression and promote social justice, this time through the example of someone's grandmother singing during a period of social upheaval or rebellion.
Now I sing songs for much more than an occupation.
Matisyahu sees music as much more than just a job or a profession – it's something that has deep meaning and significance for him.
I am the music.
Matisyahu has a deep identification and connection with music, feeling as though he embodying that art form in some way.
We are the music.
Matisyahu believes that everyone has a connection to music, and that music is a universal language that unites people across cultural boundaries.
I am the music.
Again, Matisyahu expresses his close identification with music.
You are the music
Matisyahu is speaking directly to the listener (or audience) and telling them that they too have a connection with music.
Austin is the music.
Matisyahu believes that the city of Austin has a special connection with music, possibly due to its cultural or historical context.
Texas is the music.
Matisyahu sees Texas as a place where music has a rich history and continues to be a vital part of the cultural landscape.
We are the mu-sic.
Matisyahu is repeating the central message that music is something that can be shared and experienced by everyone.
Yo I take two steps forward.
Matisyahu is describing a period of personal growth, as he moves forward in his life.
Taking one step back.
He acknowledges that there are obstacles and setbacks along the way.
Every time I think I am on track, Life fades to black.
Matisyahu recognizes that life can be unpredictable and that things don't always go as planned.
Now I pick the slack and attack faster than a rapper on crack.
Despite setbacks, Matisyahu is determined to keep going and even become more productive and creative.
Feel my knack and just spit.
Matisyahu is confident in his own talents and abilities, and is urging others to recognize and respect that.
I bet there?s more triplets 'cause rap has hit vicious.
Matisyahu is referencing a specific musical technique (triplets), which he believes is becoming more popular in contemporary rap music.
My style is more delicious the eggnog.
Matisyahu is proud of his own unique style of music, boasting that it's more enjoyable than a popular holiday drink.
You wish this kid would vanish, so?s his family,
Matisyahu is essentially saying that some people don't like him or his music, and that they might even wish harm upon him and his loved ones.
And my spirit needs fitness, that why I flip this.
Music is a way for Matisyahu to exercise his spirit and stay healthy and balanced.
Yo so I held back the life and blown and feeling.
Matisyahu uses poetic language to describe a feeling of being alive and energized, but also holding something back.
Alright surprising people 'cause I drowned last night.
Matisyahu is using figurative language to describe a sense of feeling overwhelmed or defeated.
Here I am one more time,
Despite setbacks or challenges, Matisyahu is ready to keep going and creating music.
My rhymes are at your shine.
Matisyahu is confident that his music and lyrics are something special and valuable, and suggests that they can shine a light on important issues or ideas.
I?m ripping over ribbons life swimming through time.
Matisyahu uses a metaphor to describe his creative process, suggesting that he's cutting through the constraints of time and space.
Sit back in unwind,
Matisyahu is encouraging listeners to relax and enjoy the music, letting it wash over them and take them away from their worries.
Let your brain unravel.
Matisyahu is suggesting that the best way to appreciate music is to let go of preconceptions and just let it take you on a journey.
Slip sliding away like traveling on wet gravel,
Matisyahu uses another metaphor to describe the way music can take you on a journey, sometimes feeling unpredictable or unstable.
Ain?t no need to battle if need be, yah..
Matisyahu is suggesting that music doesn't need to be divisive or confrontational, and that it can be a source of unity and joy instead.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: YONI GILEADI, YONI C. GILEADI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Bryan Valero Gutierrez
on Indestructible
nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more