Matisyahu Addresses Rising Tide of Antisemitism in New Single 'Ascent'

Noted Jewish rapper/reggae singer Matisyahu has returned with a new single and video, "Ascent," which addresses the rise in antisemitism following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

The video for the track features personal footage from the singer/rapper's recent visit to Israel as well as historical clips. In January, Matisyahu visited several of the kibbutzim and the site of the Nova Music Festival. He also met with survivors from the attack on the festival, as well as families of the hostages and soldiers, and he staged a sold-out benefit concert for the Bring Them Home campaign.

"This song felt so good to write and record and has been one of the most powerful live moments since performing it on the Hold The Fire Tour," Matisyahu said in a statement. "One of those undeniable moments where your mind and heart finally say, 'Thank you for saying that.' Yes, we are the Jews and no, our light will not be put out."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, "I'm proud to share the official music video for my new song 'Ascent' -- the video was shot in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks at the site of the Nova Music Festival, and various Kibbutzim that were massacred on that horrific day. Help me stand up to anti-semitism and share this video far and wide to show the world that we the Jewish people stand proud and that our light will not be put out #stopantisemitism #stopjewishhate #bringthemhome"

Matisyahu recently faced some challenges on his 34-date Hold The Fire Tour, with harassment from protestors over his support of Israel and criticism of Hamas, leading to several venues canceling his dates. Still, the singer was able to stage a successful show to wrap the tour March 23 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

He's also been rewarded for his efforts. He's returning to Israel where on Sunday (March 31), he'll be one of four people awarded by The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism for his advocating for Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

He's also set to perform April 2 in Jerusalem and April 3 in Tel Aviv, making him the first international artist to perform there since the start of the war.

The 44-year-old performer, born Matthew Paul Miller, is best known for the 2005 breakthrough single "King Without a Crown," which reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A Hasidic Jew, Matisyahu controversially had his beard shaved off in 2011. He explained the move on Twitter at the time with a photo of his clean-shaven face. "When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process. It was my choice. My journey: to discover my roots and explore Jewish spirituality-not through books but through real life. At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity...to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth. I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules-lots of them-or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission."

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