Matisyahu Invites Viral Video Star Keoka Alama To Perform on Friday at the Hollywood Palladium; New Song "Love Born"
MATISYAHU INVITES VIRAL VIDEO STAR KEKOA ALAMA TO PERFORM “ONE DAY “AT THE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM ON FRIDAY
MATISYAHU RELEASES NEW SONG “LOVE BORN”
Kekoa Alama finds out he was singing with Matisyahu after the pair’s chance encounter in a Maui coffee house
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2016 — Nearly three million people have viewed the viral video (http://bit.ly/2b3YEz4) of Matisyahu joining Maui busker Clint “Kekoa” Alama as he sang the reggae star’s “One Day,” not realizing he was performing with the singer himself.
In the days since Stu Brooks (Matisyahu’s bassist/producer) shot the clip, Matisyahu and Brooks have been in close contact with Kekoa, documenting their budding relationship with the ukulele player in a series of Facebook live videos that ultimately led to an offer for Kekoa and Matisyahu to duet once again, but this time at his Friday performance at the Hollywood Palladium. Kekoa admitted he was unable to travel due to a probation violation, however, Maui County Prosecuting Attorney John Kim happened to see the clip and worked with local officials to offer Kekoa a temporary release, with Kim saying in an Associated Press interview, “The court has allowed him this one opportunity of a lifetime.”
“I was once a kid in a similar situation as him,” Matisyahu explained. “Playing music on the street with a dream to share my music with the world. This dream came true and now I have the ability to pay it back.”
Brooks has spoken with a variety of outlets about capturing the chance encounter, summarizing the experience in his conversation with Billboard by saying “It was easy to see that this was a nice young man, simply playing music to help spread a positive message and to help buy his next meal. He was humble and gracious. I could see kindness in his eyes. I think this is a chance to change someone’s life.”
“Shock Me” video
Overnight, Matisyahu also released a new song, “Love Born,” which marks the first new solo release to come from the Grammy-nominated artist since 2014’s Akeda. The track can be found via iTunes (hyperurl.co/6qtz8u) and Apple Music (http://apple.co/2aMDyWx). Matisyahu and Brooks co-wrote the song, with Brooks handling production and mixing. Matisyahu returns to the studio in October to begin work on a new, full-length album.
Matisyahu tour dates:
August 10 Tempe, AZ The Marquee
August 12 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
August 13 Del Mar, CA Del Mar Racetrack
August 14 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
August 16 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
August 20 Island Lake, IL Sideouts Bar & Eatery
August 25 Richmond, VA The Broadberry
August 26 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
August 28 Greensboro, NC Arizona Pete’s
August 30 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater
September 1 Nags Head, NC Kelly’s
September 2 Wilmington, NC Ziggy’s By The Sea
September 3 Snowshoe, WV Snowshoe Mountain Resort
September 4 Virginia Beach, VA American Music Festival
September 17 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre
December 14 – 18 Ecatepec De Morelos, Mexico Closer to the Sun 2016
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