Matiyahu Video: Interview. Beard Not Included

Check out Matisyahu's interview where he explains his thoughts about religion as well as his process . He also explains the fact that he is no longer with beard and a  Hassidic Reggae Super Star:

Matisyahu and his beard

Just in time for X-Mas. Matisyahu has donated his beard to...you guessed it.... Santa! That's right folks...Santa burnt his beard while going down a chimney and Matisyahu felt obligated to help the dude out. Cut it out, you say (pun intended)? Well it's hysterical how much publicity Matisyahu is garnering due to simply removing  his facial hair. It has the Jews up in a tizzy.  Is he still religious anymore? Did he become a misnagid? Will he still be doing reggae? Was this all a scam for him to sell a lot of records? Did he now join the Maccabeats? These are just a sample of the questions out there and there is no end to the amount of articles that are being written on this topic. The bottom line is: time will tell what Matisyahu will end up as. He says he is looking to "reclaim himself" and that his whole hassidic get up was simply part of  some rules to hold him together so as not to "fall apart". I say he can have the same chance as anyone to find a part of yidishkiet where he feels comfortable. Let's see where this goes....

Matisyahu: Was Not Inspired by Jewish Music

In the latest article covering the Hassidic Jewish reggae performer known as Matisyahu, he discusses his musical  background and inspirations.

He credits his parents for their “great taste in music,” saying that American classics like Grateful Dead, Smokey Robinson, Paul Simon, and Neil Young were his first loves, before Michael Jackson and hip-hop infected his ears via pop radio. And, he adds, Jewish music was never part of the equation.

“Honestly, I was never really inspired by Hebrew music. I started banging on my dad’s drum set at some point, and then beatboxing became my method for musical expression,” he said.

“When I was 16 I went to Israel, and I started to really question my identity while trying to figure out who I was. Being Jewish gave me a real sense of intrigue, and became something that was relevant to me. Having listened to Bob Marley and the way he incorporated the Old Testament into his music gave me license to do that, because my religious soul was bound up with the Old Testament.”Before you write off Matisyahu as another candy-coated Christian artist, though, consider this: He’s sold more than 2 million albums, received a Grammy nomination along with a bevy of other “Best of” awards, and even had his 2009 hit “One Day” chosen as the unofficial theme song of NBC’s 2010 Winter Olympics broadcast. So clearly his commercial audience is much broader than just Jewish teenagers — even if his music reaches for something far deeper than contemporary reggae’s typical beach, babes and bongs imagery.

“The content of my lyrics have always been grounded in a spiritual search for God,” Matisyahu says. “In my early 20s, I changed my lifestyle, pretty much divorcing myself from secular culture and moving to an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn. I really stopped listening to music altogether, other than niggunims — the word is Hebrew for "melody" — which are Hasidic songs that came out of Eastern Europe in the 1800s.” Amazingly, Matisyahu says these ancient songs, most of which don’t even have words, began to inform his lyrical content.

The Most Famous Orthodox Jews

It is pretty unusual for Orthodox Jews to become truly famous. Generally that's because of the restrictions it would impose on that possibility, such as shabbos or kashrus. We all might be familiar with those who have become an exception to that rule. Matisyahu is arguably the one of most famous orthodox Jews. There are others who have come and gone such as Evan and Jared probably the only orthodox Jews to have a top 40 hit.You also have Steven Hill who was famous before he became orthodox but starred on a bunch of shows later in life on "Law and Order".  The Maccabeats made a quick rise to stardom thanks to their YouTube video "Candlelight" which now has over 5 million hits.The list of famous orthodox Jews in the music and media field is quite small. There is a newcomer who actually became more religious as her stardom grew. I'm referring to "Blossom" aka Mayim Bialik from the hit show "The Big Bang Theory". She grew up as a reformed Jew but has become orthodox no doubt to her connection to Partners in Torah.

Matisyahu: Live at Stubbs DVD & Documentary Screening

Matisyahu's documentary from the recently released live DVD Live at Stubb's Vol. II will be screened at this year's SXSW Film Festival, which kicks off March 11th in Austin, TX. Date and time for the screening will be announced in the coming days here: www.sxsw.com/film. Dubbed Run and Return and directed by Michael Thelin and Jose Louis Rios, this short documentary features Matisyahu's thoughtful reflections on his creative philosophy, celebrated career and musical synergy with his band Dub Trio, who also share their thoughts on their unique musical partnership with Matisyahu. The behind-the-scenes footage, filmed while on tour in the summer of 2010, captures the Grammy-nominated artist as he prepares to return to the famed music venue Stubb's in Austin, TX, to record Live at Stubb's Vol. II. The live CD/DVD, just released February 1st , is the second installment in his signature Live at Stubb's series.

After creating an indelible mark on the U.S. musical consciousness with his original 2005 Live at Stubb's release, Matisyahu has once again created a raw, inspiring musical journey filled with an unmatched vibrancy and electricity on stage. With Live at Stubb's Vol. II bringing his Stubb's experience full circle, the rare documentary footage shows incredible moments from that live show and serves as a look inside the impressive artistic evolution of one of the most beloved and pioneering artists in music today.

Live at Stubb's Vol. II is available now in stores and online in three formats: CD, DVD with documentary footage and a Deluxe Edition, which includes the CD/DVD and a 40-page booklet featuring an exclusive letter from Matisyahu, never-before-seen notes and song lyrics and photos chronicling the recording of Live at Stubb's Vol. II and other amazing performances from the past three years.

Watch Matisyahu perform "Jerusalem"

New Matisyahu Music Video:Matisyahu Hanukkah Song

Check out this latest music video featuring Matisyahu

Jewish Music Video: Documentary: Matisyahu, Piamenta

Teruah brings us a great documentary on what he likes to describe as the Rockin' Roll Rabbis. I really enjoyed this, thank Teruah.

Matisyahu and Life of Rubin

Well it looks like Life-of-Rubin got himself a write in with the JewishJournal.com on his views on Matisyahu and his recent break with Chabad. Nice job Chaim!

Billboard Interviews Matisyahu

Billboard's latest interview with Matisyahu discusses his latest headlining for 311. At first Matisyahu was a bit skepitical but realized that this would be a great way to get his music out to new fans. The article mention that Matiyahu may have his new album ready by next spring.

"The real record will come out probably next spring or so," Matisyahu says. "I've been really focused the last six months, spending my time on trying to just develop the content and the idea of the record, before we go into the studio, which is a lot different than I've done it before. Before, I've just kind of listened to some music and let my free association kind of take over and just write whatever is on my mind. This I'm kind of planning out much more."
Currently that planning revolves around Matisyahu studying the psychedelic works of Rabbi Nachman.

Matisyahu Comes To Israel...

As Per the JPost, Matisyahu is set to arrive in the Holy Land. He will be performing at 8:30pm on Saturday night, March 31 at Jerusalem's Binyanei HaUma (International Convention Center) with an additional Tel Aviv appearance on April 1 at 9pm at Hangar 11.