Matthew Monias, also known as Mattmac, has recently released his debut single called “Paradise,” a melodic rap and trap song about summer love.
Mattmac is an Indigenous music producer and recording artist who was born blind from Garden Hill First Nation which is about 470 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
His recent song is currently sitting on number three of the Indigenous Music Countdown, a nationally syndicated radio show hosted by SiriusXM Canada.
“This is definitely one of my biggest achievements. So much have been happening with it, it has been getting a lot of heavy views. I appreciate the fact that people are listening and watching the music video,” said Mattmac.
“The song has also been picked up by different radio stations across Canada and that has been pretty big for me as an artist, especially since this is my first debut single,” he added.
The Paradise video was shot in various well-known places in Winnipeg, such as the Polo Park shopping mall and The Forks.
He recorded the song on Christmas day last year as he was reflecting on summer love and past relationships. The song quickly came together within an hour. Paradise was originally a two-minute song, but he decided to add another verse to the song a month later.
When he finally finished his song, he showed the track to his manager, David Hodges, who told Mattmac that his song will become a radio hit.
His music video currently has over 16,000 views on YouTube.
Growing up, Mattmac often listened to gospel music as well as rap and rock because of his siblings.
He began singing at age four and started making beats and writing songs when he was 13 years old. From them, he taught himself to play the keyboard, drums and guitar.
In 2016, a travelling recording studio called N’we Jinan visited his school to make a music video. After collaborating with them, he was inspired to make more beats.
Later, he got acquainted with an internet collective based in the United States named Blind & Famous where they introduced him to modern rap.
On Nov. 20, he plans to release an album with eight songs called “2020.” His album will include his debut song while giving focus to his struggles in relationships and as a developing artist.
“One of the songs talks about me being stuck in my head, thinking about how I’m living in my dream right now and just reflecting on things going on. I gave my mom a shout out in one of my songs,” said Mattmac.
“In the song, I promised my mom that no matter how far get I will always stay in contact with her. In the line, I say, ‘When I blow up I promise to send you letters.’”
He hopes that listeners will be able to relate to the music he makes and that his work is able to take away the pain, suffering or isolation that the listener may feel.
To add to his accomplishments, Mattmac has also recently been named a top scorer in Manitoba Music’s Industry Songwriter Challenge 2020.
Nicole Wong is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. he Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada.
