A Jewish musician who shot to fame as an Orthodox rapper has claimed his band's shows were canceled due to antisemitism, prompting anger on social media.
New York-based Matisyahu was set to perform at the Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, but the shows could not go ahead because venue staff refused to work at them, he claimed. The rapper is touring the country in support of his newly released EP, Hold the Fire.
He shared the update to his social media and alleged the venues had misinformed his fans by saying the shows had been canceled because of security concerns.
Newsweek contacted Matisyahu and the two venues by email for comment, and the Rialto Theatre denied the rapper's version of events.
Its Executive Director, Cathy Rivers, told Newsweek the decision to cancel Matisyahu's show had nothing to do with "politics or religion."
"Let me be very clear on this situation, this decision was made based on safety. The temperature of the day changed, and the tone was not set by us. This escalated to a concern of safety for our patrons, our staff, and our community," she said.
"I, like you, wake up every day and read about violence and shootings in our country, I was unwilling to wake up to that happening in my community. We have hosted Matisyahu at our theatre many times but today was not the day to have him play. He was paid in full and ticket refunds are available to all ticket holders."
The theatre had posted a statement on Thursday afternoon on Facebook that read: "Due to safety concerns and staff shortage, the Rialto Theatre is unable to continue with tonight's Matisyahu performance for February 15, 2024. We will always prioritize the safety of our employees and our guests. We are in the process of refunding all ticketholders. We apologize for the late notice of cancellation."
Meanwhile a statement issue issued by Meow Wolf's Vice President of Public Relations, Kati Murphy, to the Santa Fe Reporter read: "Two hours before the show was set to begin, we found ourselves without adequate staff to safely manage the sold out crowd. Meow Wolf will always prioritize the safety of our employees and our guests. We are in the process of refunding ticket holders."
Matisyahu, real name Matthew Paul Miller, had told fans in his social media posts that he was "excited" for the shows but claimed "instead, the staff at these venues refused to come to work, forcing cancelations." Referring to the venues' message to fans about security concerns, he alleged: "The only concern was a group of staff unwilling to work my show. Tonight in Tucson, we have offered to supplement their staff shortages on our own dime, but to no avail."
And Matisyahu claimed: "They do this because they are either anti-Semitic or have confused their empathy for the Palestinian people with hatred for someone like me who holds empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians.
"It truly is a sad day when dialogue with those you disagree with is abandoned for hate mongering and silencing artistic expression."
The rapper promised his fans that he will continue to "perform songs that celebrate unity, peace and perseverance, and we will connect with our fans through the sacredness of shared music, which has always brought people together."
"Unfortunately, it seems that more and more people are choosing to cast their lot with actions that tear people apart," he concluded.
People reacted to Matisyahu's claims with anger, with one labeling his version of events as "disgusting," on X, formerly Twitter.
Arizona state representative Alma Hernandez claimed the cancelations were antisemitic, posting: "I was just notified that @TheRialtoTucson canceled the concert of a Jewish artist, @matisyahu, tonight. I'm embarrassed this place is in MY district and disgusted to see their #Antisemitism displayed in this manner. Shame on them for doing this. What world are we living in? Don't ever say that #Antizionism isn't #antisemitism. This right here proves it. This is the last time I ever step foot in that place and encourage Tucson community members to do the same. Not one more penny to this establishment. BOYCOTT THE RIALTO."
And a third wrote: "A Jewish artist had two of his shows cancelled because venue staff refused to work, out of some twisted notion of "solidarity". I invite them to see what peace activists in Israel have done with @matisyahu's music, bringing Arabs and Jews together through the power of song."
But some questioned Matisyahu's claims about the shows being axed.
"Oh f*** off Matisyahu, you coward and liar. You have said NOTHING about Palestine and you regurgitate Zionist propaganda, even playing a show in Israel while a few miles away, the Palestinians are killed and dispossessed on mass. Long live workers solidarity," wrote one person.
And a second claimed: "Staff are refusing to work venues when pro-murder artists perform. Matisyahu is opposed to a ceasefire, yet preaches peace and unity. He hasn't said a word about the 30,000 Palestinians dead in Gaza, the total destruction."
Prior to beginning his national tour, Matisyahu had returned from a visit to Israel which was paid for by Israeli airline El Al and the antisemitism lobby Maccabee Task Force.
The debate over his shows comes amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, where almost 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Associated Press. It is a retaliatory campaign to Hamas' surprise October 7 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 240 kidnapped, according to AP. A number of hostages remain with the militant Palestinian Islamic organization.
Matisyahu told Newsweek in a January interview that he wanted to see a "new world order" in Gaza "where Jews can go back to the Middle East."
"I would like to see the destruction of evil," he said.
Matisyahu is no stranger to having his shows canceled. In 2015, he was dropped from a music festival in Spain because he would not publicly endorse a Palestinian state.
Update 2/16/2024, 10:48 a.m. ET. This article was updated to include Cathy Rivers' statement.
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