Gaining fame in 2005 as the “Chassidic reggae superstar,” Matisyahu has spent the past decades on a journey. After his concert album Live At Stubb’s was Certified-gold, Matis (born Matthew Paul Miller) released Youth and Light, two albums that would produce three of his biggest hits: “Youth,” “King Without A Crown,” and “One Day.” As an observant Chassidic Jew, Matisyahu stood out among the pop music world. Over six feet tall, clad in respectful clothes and with a long beard, he provided visibility for a part of the population not often involved in popular music (despite some dismissing him as a novelty.) In 2011, after undergoing a spiritual transformation, Matisyahu shaved his beard.
It was at that time that he began experimenting with his sound, incorporating more elements of pop, electro, and jam-band improvisation. A lifelong Phish fan (Phan), this was the natural evolution of Matis’ sound. However, he never strayed too far from his love of reggae. In 2018, he teamed with Jamaican singer Movado to release “Coming from Afar.” As 2019 was coming to a close, he spoke with HollywoodLife how in the next decade, he would like to record some “reggae bangers” while continuing to experiment with his art.
