Lehigh Valley, PA
Music Artist/Hip-Hop
Matthew tell us about yourself?
I was born in Wilkes-Barre PA at Mercy Hospital. I was put in foster care when I was 6 years old due to an abusive father. My mom overall was a good person that truly cared for me. Although she was diagnosed with bi-polar and depression which presented a challenge this did not stop her from protecting me the best way that she could when my father was abusing me and overpowering her. That's why I love my mom because she did the best that she could. When I turned 18 I was put into a foster family that focused on just receiving money and keeping it for themselves. The foster kids I lived with at the time which included all five of us would share bunk beds and we would receive one box of cereal all week to share between us. For lunch everyday we would eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and for dinner we would get a plate of pasta and they would put random sauce on it. It really showed that there was no personal interest in caring for us with love.
What inspired you to become a music artist?
Music is a good way for me to cope with my problems even when being abused by my father, and being bullied I would turn to music which gave me the inspiration to go to the paper and start writing music. Music is a way for me to transfer my sadness, anger, and hurt. This really helps me to not take it out on other people.
"Music is a way for me to
transfer my anger, sadness,
& hurt instead of taking it out on people..."
What challenges do you face as a music artist and how do you overcome them?
A challenge that I face as a music artist is getting my music out to the masses and also dealing with financial struggles. In addition there are people all the time telling me that I'm just "another white wanna be rapper from Pennsylvania." However people have to realize that it goes much deeper then that, it becomes a stigma and a mentality that I brush away. I continue to ignore the negagtivity and continue to share my music because I know that other people will like it. Another challenge are my finances and being able to support my music as well as living on my own with no help from my family. To overcome this challenge I work with people with autism, I run grocery deliveries, I buy and resell things at thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales all to support my music.
What impact would you like to make with your music and why?
I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of six, being constantly bullied, and being abused the majority of my life. I want to show people through my music that are going through similar things I went through especially for those with various disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, or any disability that they can do anything they set their mind too. So if you want to go and make hip-hop music go and make hip-hop music. If you want to start a business just do it! Do whatever you want to do and not allow anyone tell you that you can't.
"Those with various disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, or any disability they can do anything they set their mind too..."
