White Plains Native Rapper Matisyahu Celebrates Ten Years With Local Talent
The concert, March 11, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the release of “Youth” an album by White Plains native and rapper Matisyahu.
Matisyahu will be joined on stage by another White Plains native and rapper, Stan Ipcus. Together they will perform WP, a featured song on the Youth album all about growing up in White Plains. Ipcus will also be the concert opener.
The two rappers graduated one year apart from White Plains High School (1996/1997), but an interest in music kept them in contact over the past 10 years.
Matisyahu is now back on the East Coast after a stint in California. Connecting with old friends, especially Ipcus, they decided to pull together a concert to celebrate old times and look forward to the new.
Ipcus, whose real name is Dan Isenberg, and Matisyahu, grew up in the Highlands neighborhood of White Plains. They had known each other throughout their childhood years, playing ball together, going to the same schools and hanging out with the same crowd, even though they were in different grades. “We would rap at lunch time, in between classes and at parties,” Ipcus said.
With a music form a bit different from Matisyahu, but compatible, Ipcus says his style of music is New York based hip-hop, very sample-based and lyric driven, traditional, almost 90’s-esque underground New York rap, influenced by guys like the Beastie Boys and Grand Puba. He has a full-time job in the marketing field and is married with kids, but Ipcus finds time to write new lyrics, sometimes crafting a song specifically for his children.
Thrilled to be performing on stage with his friend, Ipcus is thankful and excited to be part of 10th anniversary celebration. “Matis has always supported me, and to perform alongside one of my best friends, who is also one of the most talented touring artists of our generation is an honor, especially since it’s in our backyard,” Ipcus said.
Other artists performing on March 11 are: Lord Judah (White Plains hip-hop artist), Tymo Beats (Brooklyn-based producer), Matt Barrett (singer), Max Bent (beatboxer) and Your Old Droog (Brooklyn rapper). The group is excited about the upcoming concert and will be getting together for rehearsals over the next few weeks. The show is going to be a major White Plains event.
Doors open at the Capitol Theatre at 7 p.m. and the show beings at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25/$35 in advance and $30/$40 the day of the show.
For tickets visit http://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/event/1056841-matisyahu-port-chester/.
