Check out Matisyahu, the talented Hasidic Reggae artist

If you haven't yet heard the funky reggae rythms and gheto-like beatboxing of the Hasidic Jew Reggae artist, Matisyahu, you will soon. His sound, called hasidic reggae is hitting the streets hard, and he's quickly becoming the most famous Jewish talent since the Beastie Boys (well, two of them, at least).

It's dancehall reggae with a hasidic twist. Matisyahu has a unique reggae sound and brings true spirit to his music. Both a reggae spirit and his own bit of spirituality. His sound is divine.

The 25 year old, Brooklyn-based artist started out much like many youths in America. He followed Phish on national tours and started a garage band in Oregon. Yet his fate and his faith were changed by a chance meeting of a Lubavitch rabbi in a park in New York. He became a Hasid, following the strict laws of the loving and pious branch of Judaism. Studying the Torah and being a devout Jew for 3 years, he was inspired to create music.

Seeing ties between Hasidic Judaism and Rastafarianism, Matisyahu borrows his sound from the traditions of such reggae greats as Bob Marley. His lyrics are certainly divinely inspired.

If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself. You can download a video of Matisyahu (9.9 MB, .wmv). I think you'll be convinced!