Matisyahu Helps Celebrate 25 Years of Project Dialogue
For the 25th Anniversary of one of our signature programs Project Dialogue, the Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life decided to do something special. In celebrating “music as dialogue”, we welcomed acclaimed hip-hop & reggae performer Matisyahu to treat Vanderbilt to a special acoustic performance.
Matthew Miller, or more know by his Hebrew and stage name Matisyahu, came on the scene in 2004 and turned heads blending Orthodox Judaism themes with reggae, rock, and hip hop. Over the years, Matiisyahu has brought issues of faith, Middle East relations and other personal topics into his music. In 2006, Matisyahu stated that “All of my songs are influenced and inspired by the teachings that inspire me. I want my music to have meaning, to be able to touch people and make them think. Chasidism teaches that music is ‘the quill of the soul.’ Music taps into a very deep place and speaks to us in a way that regular words can’t.”
To start the day, Vanderbilt Interfaith Council and Vanderbilt Hillel welcomed Matisyahu to the Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life for a lunch time discussion. Hosted by Vandy Radio and broadcast live over the air, Matisyahu engaged questions from DJ Jeffrey Greeburg and Hillel Affiliated Chaplain Rabbi Joshua Barton before taking questions from the audience. Over 120 students enjoyed a catered lunch from Grins (our vegetarian Kosher restaurant) while learning more about Matisyahu’s writing process, influences, and engagement with his evolving faith. To hear the interview, click here.
After an afternoon Meet & Greet with students for pictures and autographs, the campus’ attention turned to the Commons Center Lawn for a special outdoor acoustic performance. Vanderbilt Chabad hosted a Kosher BBQ for students before the show as over 1,000 students made their way to the tent on the Commons Lawn.
With the foreboding weather holding off for one evening, the warm night air made for an electric atmosphere under the tent. To a rousing welcome, Matisyahu, joined by a single guitarist, treated the crown to various songs, new and old, from his catalog for over 90 minutes. With his eclectic style of reggae, hip-hop and beat-boxing, Matisyahu showed how music can speak to political, religious, and personal issues, while also interweaving prayer in a song as well. To see a video of the concert or pictures, click here.