Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza, NYC

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Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

When someone first offered me two free tickets to see a Hasidic Jew who sings reggae, I assumed it was a joke (see 2 Live Jews). Then I watched the video on Matisyahu's official site, and realized he was more than for real. He was actually really good.

So I went to the sold out show at Irving Plaza (capacity 1000?) Sunday night (April 17, 2005), and I realized that he was more than really good. If I do a 'top ten shows of the year,' this one has a serious shot at making the list. And where have I been? There were more people looking for extra tickets than outside The Arcade Fire. There were more people dancing than Bloc Party. There were more people crowd surfing than at Mudvayne.

Matisiyahu raps better than M.I.A., sings better than Annie, and is even more inspirational than Kimya Dawson. And as far as reggae goes, he hangs with the best of them. If you don't believe me, look at the flyer for Carifest happening at Randall's Island in NYC on July 10th. (he beatboxes too)

Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

Matisyahu's story is almost as interesting as his talent....

"A few days later at his home in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, Matisyahu discussed his unusual journey. Named Matthew Miller by his parents ("Matisyahu" roughly means "Matthew" in Hebrew), he grew up in White Plains, N.Y., in a Reconstructionist Jewish household.

"I've always wanted to sing," he said. "I participated in gospel choirs, performed in theater productions — anything that would enable me to sing." He left high school at 17 to follow the jam band Phish around the country.

He was already a big fan of reggae music, and he began performing in the parking lot outside of the concerts. He finished high school at an alternative program in Oregon, where he fell in with some musicians and began performing in concert. However, he left that when he returned east to study at Arts in Context, an undergraduate program at the New School for Social Research."

Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

MP3s
At his official site
At his record label (JDub) site
live shows from 2004 at the Internet Archive
live shows from 2005 at the Internet Archive

His album (live at Stubbs in Austin) comes out tomorrow (55 minutes from when I'm writing this). You can order it at Amazon (it's got video on it too). These photos are from the Irving Plaza show.

Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

When I say "Matis," you say "Yahu" - "Matis!"
Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

Crowd Surfing
Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

Matisyahu @ Irving Plaza

Jen was with me.

Previously

Joanna Newsom Reggaeton Bridges and Balloons Remix | MP3

Matisyahu on Kimmel video

posted at 10:31 PM on April 18, 2005 in music | pictures | Comments (18)

Comments (18)

WoW!

Thanks for the album preview link. That record just made a crappy day bearable!

Cheers

Posted by fatcitizen | April 21, 2005 5:27 PM

Wow! These guys ARE more than really good. Can't wait to hear the CD. Does anyone know where the drummer Jonah David is from? We have the same last name....

Peace

Posted by Terra David | April 25, 2005 2:56 PM

I saw him in Montreal this past January. Tons of people braved the -40 weather to catch this show, and I doubt that anybody left disappointed. Matisyahu is amazing, and if I had known that he was going to be in New York, and also if I had any money, I would totally catch him at his show tonight.

Posted by retailwhore | April 25, 2005 5:07 PM

Wow great photos. Thanks for the albums

Posted by california | November 21, 2005 6:09 AM

christmas

Posted by christmas | December 3, 2005 4:27 AM

You Guys Need to see this new jewish rap video www.arama4.com

Posted by Joey | December 22, 2005 8:03 PM

You Guys Need to see this new jewish rap video www.arama4.com

Posted by Joey | December 22, 2005 8:03 PM

http://www.sexeici.com/gai/mmmak/pissing/ta44/index.html billydriverseducing

Posted by hem | January 26, 2006 10:02 PM

haha your music is crazy...!!! im 16 female..jewish :- )

woot woot um, shalom haha :-p

Posted by ashley | March 24, 2006 9:32 PM

haha your music is crazy...!!! im 16 female..jewish :- )

woot woot um, shalom haha :-p

Posted by ashley | March 24, 2006 9:33 PM

matisyahu, your the man

Posted by gregsta | April 13, 2006 8:54 PM

speaks the truth

Posted by ray | May 26, 2006 2:03 PM

His name means "Gift of God" and well...he really is a gift of God!Matisyahu is just amazing...his lyrics, sound, performance...everything he does!I listen reggae music a lot, mostly Gentleman and Seeed(although I am not german)and I never thought that they would be surpassed by any other reggae performer...well I was wrong!!!

God bless you!!!

Posted by Rumyana | May 31, 2006 4:54 PM

His name means "Gift of God" and well...he really is a gift of God!Matisyahu is just amazing...his lyrics,sound,performance...everything he does!He really made impact on me...positive impact!I listen reggae music a lot,mostly Gentleman and Seeed(although I am not german)and I never thought that they would be surpassed by any other reggae artist...well I was wrong!

God bless you!!!

Posted by Rumyana | June 1, 2006 8:53 AM

Hello, you have great site!

Posted by Walter | October 5, 2006 5:57 AM

yo mtv raps agrees with you and is starting a new reggae segment showcasing artist matisyahu, gentleman, joseph israel, turbulence, and the marley brothers. thanks for persuading us at mtv to make this happen.

Posted by jay | December 9, 2007 7:33 PM

SWEET!

Posted by Anonymous | January 8, 2008 4:09 PM

http://www.batteryfast.com/
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/

Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009 2:16 AM