Exclusive Interview with 'MATTE' | Illustrate Magazine

In his teen years, North London artist MATTE first started experimenting with music. Grime is one of MATTE’s favorite genres, and he grew up listening to popular artists from the genre’s formative years on radio stations like Deja 92.3 before it even had a name. This gave him the idea for his own lyrics, which he wrote for months in secret while observing and admiring other kids spitting bars in the playground before performing for his peers. Later performances at events like Eros for Most Wanted were great experiences that encouraged him to pursue his dream. He shocked friends and strangers alike with his raw talent. A few years later, the desire to perform once more gave birth to the Hear My Sincerity project, which quickly gained support on Soundcloud and attracted the attention of people like The Streets frontman Mike Skinner. MATTE is at ease performing in any tempo thanks to his unconventional style and passion for music with a 140 bpm tempo. The goal of reflective musician MATTE is to make sincere music that will change the consciousness of our current and future generations. His music is a very direct reflection of his life experiences and inner state of mind. His upcoming single, “Power,” is a collaboration with reggae singer Cblock muzic, a Jamaican-born performer based in the UK who strives to create uplifting music from a variety of viewpoints. ‘Power’ will be streamable starting on 19/08.
C Block Muzic, a reggae musician with a wide range of styles, is featured on this track by MATTE. The main theme is about overcoming challenges in “life” and returning to our divine nature. Power is specifically intended to uplift, empower, and inspire the listener to look within and tap into their own inner strength. He wants to alter the narrative and spread music that will inspire success and productivity among ALL people, not just one particular demographic. Check out the single “Power” and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

MATTE: I was born and raised in North London. During my early- mid teens there was an emergence of a new sound off the back of Garage music. It was a great time to hear this develop into what is now called ‘Grime’. I started off listening to Heat fm and then very shortly was intrigued by the whole East London movement via Deja 92.3. This was where I first heard the likes of Dizzee Rascal, D Double, Kano, Ghetts etc. I found the whole thing infectious and was hypnotized by this new sound at that point which had no name or genre. The 140bpm enabled me to express effortlessly on the paper.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

MATTE: To be honest before beginning to write I did not know I was able to. It was never something I planned or had in mind. It was just a way of me expressing myself in the most normal and natural way I knew how. It was not until I observed the reactions of people around me who seemed blown away whenever I would rap or ‘spit’ :)

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘MATTE’?

MATTE: I grew up in a Caribbean household so music was always a thing. I have always been intrigued by Bob Marley even more so as I have studied some areas of his life and his journey was so meaningful. He really was the ‘music’. DMX was one of the first artists I actually memorised a whole song from. Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come’ is an all time favourite. More specific to my genre I have always been a fan of the likes of Wretch 32, Ghetts and Scorcher. There are too many to name here but D Double E was also a key influence in my passion for writing as especially in the early days was like nothing I’d seen or heard before.

The name ‘MATTE’ has been ever evolving tbh. The most recent was Matik. Most people who refer to me musically tend to shorten my name to Mat anyway. I had not recorded anything under the alias Matik for around 7/8 years and I feel there has been ALOT of growth in me as being mentally, physically and spiritually since then. The new wave of music required a new alias so ‘MATTE’ was born naturally. The name reflects my nature in many ways so it is quite fitting. A Matte finish typically is not loud or shiny but has a subtle yet powerful and unique presence that stands out. There is also a very complex process to creating the matte ‘look and feel’.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

MATTE: I feel my music is multi layered. From experience it has touched and appealed to all walks of life. The main thing I would say is I only write or record when my spirit has an urge to express via music. Its more than a hobby or passion. It’s a calling.. With this being said anything I create or reveal is always in alignment to my personal journey. We all have our own obstacles and phases in life and I want to be a voice for many who may not be able to articulate their feelings in a creative way. Anytime I listen back to my music it actually reveals myself to ‘me’. Many things I was suppressing or could not understand in my day to day life I gain actual clarity when I hear what my soul has pushed me to express. This in many ways has been healing and therapeutic for me. To describe my sound would be Universally ‘Authentic’.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
**MATTE**:
Music to me is therapy. Authenticity as stated above is more meaningful to me than anything so I have never tried to emulate any other artist. I have however observed and been a keen follower/listener. From the very beginning it has been natural for me to write. If anything, there has definitely been a refinement process based on the boundaries and performance I feel I can push out of myself. Creativity has no limits. There’s 7.7 billion people in the World ALL with a story to tell. Nobody can tell my own like me. Creation over emulation or competition all day.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

MATTE:

Music has a key place in society as perception creates reality. The media has a direct impact on the masses and music is also a channel for that. Many impressionable minds absorb the content which is being pushed through various media sources/air waves etc. I will not speak on this on a vast scale right now but what I will say is we are at a time in human history where I feel as a collective we should be doing more to serve, inspire and uplift each other. I aim to motivate, educate and empower the masses through my music/platform.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

MATTE:

Every time I complete a song there is a moment of bliss and relief. I feel as though I have completed an assignment which I was called to do. In the completion of any track there is a sense of huge success on my part prior to and regardless of the number of streams/exposure it achieves. This to me is true fulfilment. Being able to serve a sincere gift to my generation. Living on/in my ‘purpose.

To be compensated substantially and creating a lucrative income stream via the music is definitely a goal as I believe we should all be serving each other our gifts. Financial freedom is our birthright and I feel true prosperity comes from within.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

MATTE:

My creative process feels more like channeling to me. I never force. If an instrumental resonates with me, I literally feel new dimensions opening up in my mind and before I know it the page is full of ‘my’ writing. It’s very much an outer body experience. I completely lose track of time and awareness of my surroundings. The whole thing is very personal/spiritual and I have never shared space with another creative whilst I’ve been in the midst of writing thus far.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

MATTE: This can be saved for another day/environment :)

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

MATTE: Once again perception is key. I am learning not to judge by appearances and not base ‘success’ on the numbers but on the impact on the lives who interact with my message/music. In my time I have had listeners tell me my music has helped them overcome fear. Overcome the contemplation of suicide and give them more meaning to their own lives. This to me is true success and very significant. I believe we are all seeds of greatness and just like seeds of nature manifest and serve their gifts to humanity we should do likewise.