Matisyahu

Matisyahu first made a name for himself with his album Live at Stubbs, and Youth quickly followed. Both albums subsequently went Gold and Youth was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. 2009's Light reached #1 on the Reggae Albums chart and stayed in the top spot for 34 weeks. His fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, also debuted at #1 on the Reggae chart, marked his relocation from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and found him working with Dr. Luke protégé KoOoL Kojak.

Akeda, Matisyahu's fifth studio, was recorded in Brooklyn's Studio G and produced by Dub Trio's Stu Brooks. The material for the album was written both in Matisyahu's Los Angeles home and while on tour. Matisyahu states, "This record and period of my life deal with madness, listening for and following the inner intuitive voice, a small still sound. This record deals with love, with feelings of brokenness and humility, with humanity, struggle, and sacrifice."