It was a spur of the moment decision to attend the Matisyahu concert at Northwestern University in Chicago, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I have made. One word that keeps coming to mind when describing the night is transcendence.
Before us stood a tall lanky individual with a messy bun of peppered white and grey hair looking aged well beyond his 36 years. Most people know Matisyahu as the Jewish rapper from New York, but in 2011 he shaved his beard and stated “no more Chassidic reggae superstar. Sorry folks, all you get is me…no alias.” He rose to fame through his hit single “King Without a Crown“, and more recently “Sunshine” which is best described as a bright pop track. When asked about his recent production of pop he responded with “part of what I am is mass appeal. That is pop.”
However, tonight was anything but pop. What I experienced was that transcendence I mentioned earlier through multiple layered forms of reggae, ending in an explosive jam session. Matisyahu, for all his laid back character, presented us with a show in which every single note was perfectly measured to produce the most profound and lasting effect possible on his audience, and even himself. Several times he moved his mic stand to allow himself space to show off his footwork, even daring to dance off stage and spend a few minutes appreciating the show from the side as an audience member of his own spectacle.
Musically this was something beyond the productions we typically go to a show and hear today. There was no singing along at this show, no knowing what was coming next. Matis took us on a spiritual musical journey with him as he sat, eyes closed, and released whatever rhythmic reggae beats he felt needed to be emitted from his soul in one long endless song that lasted an hour and went from slow and steady bellows to hardcore jamming and beatboxing, with Matisyahu keeling over begging his drummer and guitarist to give him more and more.
He closed the show with a heavy reggae version of his hit song “Jerusalem“. The interpretation is best described as 10 minute close out session lead by his band that left the audience on the edge of their seats and had Matisyahu once again at the side of the stage staring in awe at the music he helped create.
My personal highlight was when during one particularly powerful moment he paused to recite the Hebrew prayer for when the Torah is presented as his band went all out on their instruments, as if to say “here it is guys. What you are about to hear is not just music, it’s some spiritual shit.”
Matisyahu may no longer be the go-to hasidic rapper but his shows remain something sacred.
TRACKS:
