POP MUSIC

Matisyahu

Reggae artist

Singing Hebrew psalms with a Jamaican lilt over bass-heavy “riddims,” dancehall toaster Matisyahu may have hit upon the year’s most unlikely formula for pop success: Hasidic Judaism and reggae.

His consciousness-raising redemption song “King Without a Crown” became the most requested song on KROQ-FM (106.7) in October and his “Live at Stubb’s” led Billboard’s Top Heatseeker Albums chart for two weeks running.

Now the 25-year-old New Yorker, real name Matthew Miller, is transforming his devotion to artists such as Bob Marley and rabbi-singer Shlomo Carlebach into a higher calling. Touring heavily leading up to the March release of his second studio album on a major label, “Youth!” (produced by studio veteran Bill Laswell), Matisyahu is poised to bring his hip-hop-influenced reggae sound – and cross-pollinated spirituality – to a wider audience.

With his traditional black suit and heavy beard – not to mention his habit of stagediving at the end of every concert – there’s no mistaking Matisyahu for such reggae rivals as Sean Paul or Damian Marley. Then again, neither of their original songs mix beat-box percussion with 18th century Jewish melodies.