Pioneering Jewish rappers Matisyahu and Remedy have come together to release a bold and powerful new single titled “The Fathers Live”, which serves as both an anthem of Jewish pride and a call to stand against the rise in antisemitism. Released on December 25, the first day of Chanukah, which is also known as Hanukkah, the track is the debut single from their upcoming collaborative project. This acts as the follow-up to Matisyahu’s upmix version of the collaboration with Thank You Hashem and Alex Clare, titled “Spread Light”, which featured DJ Farbreng; it also is the follow-up to Remedy’s single “BEN”.
The song captures the essence of Jewish heritage while sending a clear message about survival and strength in the face of adversity. Matisyahu and Remedy, both strong advocates for their faith and culture, have used this collaboration to deliver a message that resonates far beyond the music industry, especially in the current climate of rising hatred and division.
“I wanted to bring together a bunch of strong Jews from different backgrounds in a Shul in Brooklyn, and just vibe out to the song in a Jewish setting,” Matisyahu shared. Remedy echoed this sentiment, saying, “Matis had the vision of us all in a Shul, and the video worked out beautifully”, The video features cameos from notable figures such as Michael Rapaport, Uri Cohn, Betar, and Abraham Hamra, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the project.
Remedy went on to expand his thoughts on the song, saying, “We’re delivering a message of wisdom from our forefathers, of dreams and aspirations, and self-determination. We want the truth to get out.”
Lyrically, “The Fathers Live” carries a potent message of resilience, rooted in Jewish tradition and history. The song opens with the Hebrew phrase “Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live) followed by “Od avinu chai” (Our father lives on), before transitioning to powerful English verses that echo the struggles and triumphs of the Jewish people. Lines such as “Built like the shield of David, holy and sacred / Remedy, Matisyahu, we abolish the hatred” serve as a reminder of the unwavering strength and unity that defines the Jewish community.
Both artists effortlessly deliver on the flow and rhythm of the track, their rapping is at expert level with intuitive lyricism and skilful rhymes. They showcase the song and their meaning in an effortlessly powerful way, driving home their hopes and beliefs. The team-up is undeniably strong and since they revealed that they worked on a bunch of songs together, we’re excited to hear more from this collaborative duo as they compliment each other perfectly.
The visually striking and respectful music video, directed by Rock Davis, was filmed at B’nai Avraham Synagogue, an Orthodox synagogue in New York. The rappers perform outside the place of worship, while segments throughout provide glimpses of its interior. The video begins with the artists greeting each other outside the synagogue, followed by Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin, accompanied by another individual, opening a set of doors to reveal an array of Torah scrolls, which they later read. Radiating positivity, the video is a heartfelt celebration of Jewish pride, seamlessly complementing the song’s empowering message.
Matisyahu, known for his thoughtful lyrics about faith and perseverance, has long advocated for peace and equality. His career-defining anthem, “One Day”, which debuted in 2008, is a call for hope and understanding, resonating with audiences around the world. Similarly, Remedy has always used his platform to speak out about issues affecting the Jewish community. As the first white rapper affiliated with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, Remedy also made history as the first Jewish rapper to be affiliated with the legendary group. His track “Never Again”, featured on “Wu-Tang’s The Swarm Vol. 1” compilation, remains an important part of his legacy.
The collaboration between Matisyahu and Remedy marks a significant moment in both artists’ careers, as they combine their musical talents and shared experiences to create something that transcends genre and speaks to a wider audience. Despite growing up in different parts of New York—Matisyahu in White Plains and Remedy in Staten Island—the two have a long-standing respect for one another’s work, with Matisyahu even citing Remedy’s “Never Again” as a major inspiration for his own music.
The decision to work together came after Matisyahu saw Remedy’s Instagram post of a Macklemore diss track. “I saw that he’s pro-Israel and a strong Jew with no fucks given, and we got together and recorded a bunch of songs,” Matisyahu recalled. Remedy, equally honoured, expressed his admiration for Matisyahu, saying, “Matisyahu is a legend. I was honored when he reached out to me and wanted to work.”
Their anthem, “The Fathers Live”, is more than just a song; it’s a powerful statement about identity, resilience, and the importance of standing together in the fight against hatred. Remedy sums up the duo’s intentions perfectly, saying, “We’re making music for humanity and our people, as we try to abolish the hatred.” As the song continues to resonate with listeners, Matisyahu and Remedy are proving that music has the power to unite, inspire, and spark much-needed conversations about the world we live in today.
“The Fathers Live”, by Matisyahu and Remedy, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms. We expect them to release more collaborations next year as they worked together on a body of work and this is clearly just the start of their exciting new project.