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/
Motivate
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a taste as we blaze on through the fate
Clean slate, move on, chant all night long
Gonna sing my song 'til the early morn
When the moon shines down all upon the land
This ain't no game and this ain't no scam
I ran from BK unto Japan
Open up and breathe in now out shout out loud
Won't you let it all out, spit fountains?
Whether day or night shine bright
When I fly through the night
Would you leave it all behind?
Revelation wake in the morning
To find you waiting even in a desperation
Feel something that's embracing
Revelation wake in the morning
Even in a desperation
Even in this desperation
Even in a desolation
Got to trail my path, slash page combat with a glass
Intact, no react and stack build up the nation
Can't replace them and a youth them gone invasion
It's a journey , I'm a wandering soul
Speak up on the unspoken and a pour out
The timeless suffering and lift up on the curtain
Spin on the wheels of creation
I'm a searching, I'm a searching search light
When the time is right and the night is ripe
Would you leave it all behind?
Revelation wake in the morning
To find you waiting even in a desperation
Feel something that's embracing
Revelation wake in the morning
Even in a desperation
Even in this desperation
Even in a desolation
Catch the arrows filled with poison
The lyrics of "Motivate" by Matisyahu are highly symbolic and speak of the singer's journey through life, searching for purpose and meaning. The first verse begins with a call to action - "Raise the gate, motivate the place" - and urges the listener to take control of their life and make the most of every opportunity. The lyrics go on to describe the singer's own journey, from a clean slate and a new beginning, to chanting and singing all night long.
The second verse speaks of the moon shining down on the earth, a symbol of illumination and enlightenment. Matisyahu asserts that his journey is not a game or a scam, but a true pursuit of spiritual truth. He speaks of having traveled far and wide, from Brooklyn to Japan, and from Israel to the Holy Land.
The chorus repeats the question, "Would you leave it all behind?" suggesting that the singer is willing to sacrifice everything for his quest. He speaks of having a revelation in the morning, even in the midst of desperation and desolation. The lyrics suggest that the singer is fueled by a deep sense of purpose, and that he will not rest until he finds what he is looking for.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to action, urging the listener to take control of their own destiny and strive towards their goals with passion and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Raise the gate, motivate the place
Start the show, inspire the people to participate
Take a taste as we blaze on through the fate
Experience the journey, keep moving forward
Clean slate, move on, chant all night long
Begin anew, keep going, sing and dance endlessly
Gonna sing my song 'til the early morn
I will keep singing until the sun rises
When the moon shines down all upon the land
Under the light of the moon, the truth is revealed
This ain't no game and this ain't no scam
This is not to be taken lightly, it is not a deception
I ran from BK unto Japan
I traveled far and wide, from Brooklyn to Japan
From Israel to the Holy Land
From my home in Israel to the promised land
Open up and breathe in now out shout out loud
Express yourself fully and freely
Won't you let it all out, spit fountains?
Release your emotions, let it flow like waterfalls
Whether day or night shine bright
No matter the time, stay positive and shine
When I fly through the night
As I journey through the darkness
Would you leave it all behind?
Are you willing to let go of everything?
Revelation wake in the morning
A new understanding dawns on you
To find you waiting even in a desperation
You will discover hope even in despair
Feel something that's embracing
Experience the warmth of acceptance
Got to trail my path, slash page combat with a glass
I must follow my own journey, fight my own battles with courage
Intact, no react and stack build up the nation
Stay true to myself, stay strong, and contribute to society
Can't replace them and a youth them gone invasion
We cannot forget the past, we must learn from it
It's a journey, I'm a wandering soul
Life is a journey, and I am constantly searching for my place
Speak up on the unspoken and a pour out
Express what has not been said before
The timeless suffering and lift up on the curtain
Bring light to the suffering of the world
Spin on the wheels of creation
Embrace the process of creation
I'm a searching, I'm a searching search light
I am searching, searching for the light of truth
When the time is right and the night is ripe
When the moment is perfect, and everything is in place
Catch the arrows filled with poison
Be aware of the dangers and deceit in the world
Revelation wake in the morning
A new understanding dawns on you
Even in a desperation, even in this desperation, even in a desolation
Even when everything seems hopeless
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID KAHNE, STEPHEN MCGREGOR, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more