Four years ago, Matisyahu shaved his beard. And while the prospect of a hirsute musician suddenly lopping off their hair isn’t that big of a deal (unless it’s Metallica, in which case it’s totally a sign of the decline), it signaled a major change for the New York reggae star and rapper, whose Chasidic faith was signified by his long beard, tassels, and ever-present yarmukle.
And while the man formerly known as Matthew Paul Miller might have moved on from old outer appearances, he still fully inhabits his back catalog with the energy he’s always brought to the stage. “King Without a Crown,” from 2004’s Shake off the Dust… Arise is still Matisyahu’s biggest hit, and in this live performance from Guitar Center Sessions, it’s not hard to see why. He runs through his lines with verve and energy, then sits and quietly takes it all in as his band grooves their way around a lengthy guitar solo.
You can check it out below, but to get the full feel, make sure to tune in to the AUDIENCE Network at 9 p.m. ET for Matisyahu’s episode of Guitar Center Sessions hosted by KCRW’s Nic Harcourt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsih6SCbzwo&feature=youtu.be
