Hasidic Jewish reggae-rapper Matisyahu, whose song ''One Day'' was an anthem for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, will headline a night of the Jamaican genre on opening night of Allentown's Mayfair Festival of the Arts May 27 at Allentown's Cedar Beach.
Matisyahu, 30, is the biggest act announced so far for the five-day Memorial Day weekend festival. Mayfair Executive Director Terry Glennon says he hopes to announce Friday's B104 Night headliners within two weeks.
Matisyahu sings about traditional Jewish themes set to reggae, rock and hip-hop music -- often interspersing references to the Torah and punctuating his performances with nimble footwork.
Born Matthew Miller in West Chester, Chester County, and now based in Brooklyn, N.Y., he became a quick sensation in 2005 after the video for his song ''King Without A Crown'' debuted on mtvU's show ''Freshman.'' The song became a Top 10 hit on the modern rock chart.
He has released three studio albums, and his disc ''Live at Stubbs,'' topped Billboard's Heatseekers chart and was certified gold. Its follow-up, 2006's ''Youth,'' reached No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and also hit gold. ''Light,'' released in August, peaked at No. 19.
Announced so far for Friday night are Allentown funk dance band Lucky 7; East Stroudsburg five-piece rocker The Brightlife, which has played on the Vans Warped Tour; Harrisburg's original-and-cover music band Faded Fortune and Beatles tribute band Beatlemania Again.
Saturday's lineup features ''American Idol'' finalist Tyler Grady of Nazareth with his band, Wailing Waters. Sunday will be a lineup of contemporary Christian rock, including top act Sanctus Real, along with a blues lineup, topped by the Craig Thatcher Band. Monday features local rock bands and the Allentown Band.
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