Matisyahu | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Matthew Paul Miller |
Also known as | Matisyahu |
Born |
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
June 30, 1979
Origin | White Plains, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Reggae, Jewish rock, Jewish hip hop, alternative hip hop, alternative rock, reggae fusion, reggae rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer, rapper, activist, actor |
Instruments | Vocals, beatboxing |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | Fallen Sparks, JDub, Epic, SBMG Records |
Associated acts |
Alec Benjamin Dub Trio Sublime Umphrey's McGee The Dirty Heads Infected Mushroom Akon Les Claypool Phish Moshav (band) Shyne The Crystal Method Collie Buddz Adel Tawil Levi Robin Kosha Dillz |
Website | MatisyahuWorld.com |
Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known by his Hebrew and stage name Matisyahu (מתתיהו /mætɪsˈjɑːhuː/; "Gift of God"), is a Jewish American reggae vocalist, beatboxer, and alternative rock musician.
Known for blending Orthodox Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing sounds, Matisyahu's 2005 single "King Without a Crown" was a Top 40 hit in the United States. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as two live albums, two remix CDs and two DVDs featuring live concerts. In addition, Matisyahu played the role of Tzadok in The Possession, a supernatural horror film directed by Ole Bornedal and co-produced by Sam Raimi. Through his career, Matisyahu has worked with Bill Laswell, reggae producers Sly & Robbie, and Kool Kojak.
Matthew Paul Miller was born on June 30, 1979, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His family eventually settled in White Plains, New York. He was brought up a Reconstructionist Jew, and attended Hebrew school at Bet Am Shalom, a synagogue in White Plains. He spent much of his childhood learning the tenets of Judaism, but by the time he was a teenager, Matisyahu began to rebel against his rigid upbringing. He started taking drugs and dropped out of White Plains Senior High School. He became a self-professed "Phish-head", taking hallucinogens and following the rock band Phish on tour.