Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on June 30, 1979, corresponding to the Jewish Calendar of 5 Tammuz 5740. After growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to a Jewish School where he studied twice a week, however like many other boys, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently expelled for disturbances during classes. At 14, Matthew Miller acquired a Hippie lifestyle. He "got into" the "Dead-Head" crowd, grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks (sandals) all through winter.
He played his bongos at the diner and learned to beat-box at the back of the classroom. In his junior year of high school, although he was in his carefree period, Matisyahu could not ignore the emptiness in his life. After almost burning down his chemistry classroom, he knew his mission should begin immediately. He decided to take a trip to Colorado. Away from his suburban life on the white plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to analyze and take a more introspective look at himself contemplating his surroundings. He was in the impressive landscape of the "Rocky Mountain" when he had a vision: it was G-d (God).
After his trip to Colorado, his spiritual curiosity increased and Matisyahu made his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the G-d he saw in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu took advantage of the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every corner he found his Jewish identity until then inactive in his mind. Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Back on the white plains, Matisyahu did not know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Dejected, discouraged, he dropped out of high school and began following the band Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu seriously thought about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that he "straighten out" and go to a school in the wild region of Bend in Oregon. The school encouraged artistic exercises and Matisyahu took advantage of this moment to delve deeper into his music. He studied reggae and hip-hop. Weekly he went to an open-mic where he sang, did his beat-box, and was able to do almost anything to maintain and sharpen his creativity. It was there that he began to develop his reggae-hip-hop style. After two years of "struggling", at 19 Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man.
He moved to the city to continue sharpening his musical study, and also began to take an interest in theater. During this time, he went to see the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the west side, well known for being friendly to hippie energy and its exuberant singing. This further strengthened his soul, favoring the mystical power of Hassidic Jewish music. Now, instead of beat-boxing at the back of the classroom, he went to the school roof to pray. (Whether religious or not, he was not born to stay in classrooms).
While studying at the new school, Matisyahu wrote a lyric titled "Echad" (One). The lyric was about a boy who met a Hassidic rabbi in Square Park in Washington and through him became religious. Soon after writing the lyric, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. He met the Lubavitch rabbi in the park, and there began his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu. He who was once skeptical of authority and its rules, then began to explore and finally acquire the Lubavitch Hassidic lifestyle. He thrived in the discipline and structure of Judaism, trying more and more to understand Jewish Law.
The philosophy of Chabad-Lubavitch proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking since the past decade. The disturbance and frustration of his precipitous search, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, dividing his time between internship and yeshiva.
Combining the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach, with all his originality and interpretation is uplifting, a strong experience for everyone. Even the most pessimistic at his shows is inspired by his ability to honestly convey his message, which speaks of faith and spirituality. His dedication is to make his message gain respect. It is in that ephemeral moment when our skepticism melts and our souls rise that Matisyahu enters with his growing sound of faith.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Due to his religious choice, Matisyahu does not perform on Fridays. "From Friday night until Saturday sunset, I don't do shows," he says. "Therefore, I don't play on Fridays. And Saturday night, after 8:00 p.m., it's already quite dark, so we play." Asked if he receives any criticism from other Jews for having chosen this career, Matisyahu says: "Not much. The message of the Lubavitch movement is being spread and we must take our talents and use music, radio and TV to try to make a good impact on the world, instead of isolating ourselves."