MATISYAHU SETS OFF TO CONQUER BOTH COASTS

It’s been awhile since the Jewish religion had a budding music star to the stature of Matisyahu. The Hassidic Rap/reggae star is in the middle of taking his music to the east and west coast. He’s lined up two shows this week in his hometown of New York City, and he’s got a few music in-stores in California. The first one is at Tower Records in Northridge March 9.

Matisyahu, who grew up in White Plains, New York and now lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Almost a full year before his album Youth was released, Matisyahu talked to press at Bonnaroo about how his faith in Judaism and his love of rap and reggae music met.

“My music that’s coming form my experience, the music I listen to, life experiences, and the choices that I’ve made. So, when I make music it’s like a reflection of that. And in my own life I’ve made decisions to become more religious and tap more into my roots in Judaism, so when I sing and I make music that’s what comes out naturally. But it’s not an agenda that I have that I’m trying to convert the world to Judaism, because that idea is not based in Judaism at all, to try and make non-Jews, Jews.”

Matisyahu is set to return to Bonnaroo in 2006, and he just released a video for the title track to his Epic records debut.