Matisyahu Featured As Xbox Live June "Artist Of The Month"

The Xbox Live "Artist of the Month" program kicks off again in June with reggae sensation Matisyahu, who emerged in 2006 as one of music's most acclaimed and innovative artists. Gamers can jump onto Xbox Live on Xbox 360 to download a free, high-definition version of Matisyahu's latest music video, "Youth." During the month of June gamers can also win a chance to play Matisyahu in an exclusive Xbox Live "Game with Fame" session with NHL 2K6, plus enter to win an Xbox 360 and a copy of Matisyahu's latest CD.

The Xbox Live Artist of the Month program gives Xbox Live members the unique opportunity to access free exclusive entertainment content in high definition on their Xbox 360 from some of today's hottest stars. As part of the year long agreement with Epic Records, each month a new artist will be showcased on Xbox Live, where you can download their videos as well as get a chance to go online and chat and play against them in their favorite game. Previous Xbox Live Artist of the Month artists include Natasha Bedingfield and The Fray. For further information on the program, be sure to visit http://www.xbox.com/artist.

"Youth", the second studio album from Matisyahu, was released in March and debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Internet Albums Chart, Digital Albums Chart and Reggae Chart. Featuring the hit single "King Without A Crown" as well as the follow-up title track single, "Youth" combines both ancient and modern reggae sounds while delivering messages of peace and unity.

"Gaming is a great way to connect with people and Xbox Live gives me the ability to reach out and connect with fans from all over the world," said Matisyahu. "Being the Xbox Live Artist of the Month is a huge accomplishment and I'm looking forward to getting online and playing some NHL 2K6 during the Game with Fame."

Fans that are interested in gaming against Matisyahu should log onto http://www.matismusic.com/xboxgame/ or http://www.xbox.com/artist to enter to win the chance to meet and play against him online.

Connecting with people is what Matisyahu is all about. By reaching out to his fans and never compromising his beliefs, the 26 year-old New Yorker has seen his career skyrocket in the year since he recorded his gold-certified album Live At Stubbs in 2005. Matisyahu, the first Hasidic Jewish reggae singer, is forging new ground in 2006 as he brings his dynamic and incendiary live performance to venues all around the world this summer.

Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects millions of members across 24 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.