The Religion & Culture Web Forum
February 2010
The Man in Black: Matisyahu, Identity, and Authenticity
by Sarah Imhoff
In this month’s edition of the Religion and Culture Web Forum, Sarah Imhoff introduces us to the Hasidic reggae musician Matisyahu, who weds reggae music with strong pronouncements of Jewish faith and identity. Imhoff notes that a common concern for music critics and Matisyahu's coreligionists alike resides in issues of authenticity. Music critics ask if he's "reggae" enough; Orthodox Jews debate whether he's "Jewish" enough. By troubling categories of identity and their relationships with artistic form, Imhoff explores the limits of "authenticity" in aesthetic and religious performance.
With invited responses forthcoming from Melvin L. Butler (University of Chicago), Judah Cohen (Indiana University), Annalise E. Glauz-Todrank (University of California, Santa Barbara), Elliot A. Ratzman (Swarthmore College), and Nora Rubel (University of Rochester).
Read the full essay (PDF - Requires the free Adobe Acrobat reader)
Please note that essays and responses are now available as pdfs only.
Please contact the Web Forum Editor with any comments or questions. |
