Matisyahu is crossing over from reggae into electronica, pop and guitar rock, and some of the Hasidic star’s fans aren’t happy. The Associated Press has the story:
"It’s not really any longer about me being the Hasidic reggae guy," he says an interview. "I’m informed by Hassidism and Judaism and reggae music, but it’s not that black and white, and it’s not that simple."
The early reaction? Not always cheers in Crown Heights, the Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn where he lives in a modest apartment with his wife and two young sons.
"Just yesterday I was walking down the street and some kid was walking by me. He’s like, ‘Matis, stick to the reggae!’ I was like, ‘Ahhgh!’" he recalls.
Matisyahu, 30, pays any hecklers no heed. An underground curiosity-turned-mainstream star, he’s not about to remain in his unusual genre of one.
"I think the vast majority of people that respect what I do are willing to move with me. I think it’s not so much about genres or styles of music as it is about expressing the emotion or the idea," he says. "Whatever allows you to do that, whatever style, as long as it’s authentic."
Full story here.
