...Matlock is the grimiest whiteboy you don't know. He's a master lyricist. A truly gifted song-writer oozing with charisma and swagger. A diverse artist that is not just an incredibly talented story-teller with the ability to pull you into the page, but a beast on the mic, spitting some of the most ferocious lines heard in hip-hop today. The self-proclaimed “Bob Dylan of Rap” has many names; Morty Goldstein, Johnny Bandana, Honky-Kong & Dances with Hoodrats just to name a few. Call him what you want, he's been putting it down for a decade, and now has a fan base that stretches to all four corners of the globe.
...After making a name for himself in the Chicago underground hip-hop scene during the late 90’s, Matlock’s music found it’s way to the airwaves when Kevin Beecham played it on the legendary “Time Travel Show” on local college radio station WNUR, where he soon became a regular. Matlock and his crew, Family Jewels began performing all over Chicago, and independently released Crazy Artist Type (on cassette) in 1999 and Paradise Lost in 2001. He caught the attention of many more established local acts such as All Natural, battle legend JUICE (1997 Scrbble Jam Champion-defeated Eminem) and Chicago hip-hop pioneer E.C.illa, who he worked with on an unreleased remix of his song “Strugglin” produced by Kanye West.
...He later signed with Gravel Records and dropped the auto-biographical single, "Moonshine" b/w "Don't Sleep" & "Pignose" featuring R.A. the Rugged Man, (Rawkus/VH1's White Rapper Show) to critical acclaim. UndergroundHipHop.com CEO Qwest said it might be the best 12-inch of 2006, and "Moonshine" is voted 2 in the best records of the year on WMSE's Late Night Hype Show. The Moonshine LP is released in 2007, and it debuts at 8 on the UGHH.com best-seller list. The album features PaceWon (Ousidaz, Redman "Malpractice", Fugees "The Score"), Kaz One on production as well as DJ Babu (Dilated Peoples/World-Famous Beat Junkies) on Matlock's ode to those who came before him, "This Music", where he rattles off a laundry list of musical influences ranging from Lord Finesse to Neil Young. It recieves great press in publications such as XLR8R Magazine & SCRATCH Magazine. OkayPlayer gives it 4 afros and Matlock is featured on URB Magazine's NEXT 1000 artists. He performs at the 2008 SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas and begins promoting his mixtape, "Matlock Hates You" on his own label, FLY PIG Records.
...Matlock is currently in the studio recording his new album, "2707". For more info on Matlock, you better ask somebody.
““As soon as Matlock starts rapping over opening track, you know you're in for something special...It is wonderful to hear a modern MC craft their lyrics with such care, whilst paying attention to flow, cadence...He must possess the breath control of a deep-sea diver....He's got swagger to burn, an excellent voice and even solid choruses...He is a quite outstanding lyricist, potentially of the highest order...What is surprising is that for such a high percentage of time, his complex and intricate shit STILL makes perfect sense...That is a hard skill to pull off…it is a crying shame, as an authentic and charismatic MC such as Matlock honestly deserves a bigger stage and monster beats to ride over. With the right soundscape and promotion behind him, he could prove a big success.While I just about enjoy listening to the album to hear what Matlock is going to say next...I take my hat/cap off to this incredible rap artist, but screw it – forward this review to Kanye and see if he's got a few beats spare next time.”
-Jesal “Jay Soul” Padania, RapReviews.com
"A battle bred rapper seeking redemption through music, the familiar theme is kept relevant by Matlock's devotion to the art of song writing. Plus he can spit; the impatient rhymes that rush against or slightly ahead of the beat ensure an exhilarating listening experience... Matlock's efforts have transformed him from being, "another fuck releasing hate" to creating, "A masterpiece they won't appreciate." Wake up."
-OkayPlayer.com
“Caminando Sobre Agua...breathtakingly beautiful song...He has demonstrated his talent for making emotionally powerful material.”
-HipHopInfinity.com
“Matlock is one of the few new artists in recent memory to really catch my attention in both his sound and his sales”.
-Quest, founder/CEO UGHH.com
““Shit is fresh…easily one of the flyest in Chicago.”
-Big Jay Bee, The Late Night Hype Show, WMSE
“He got something for the people out there.”
-Kevin Beechum, Time Travel Show, WNUR/Rhymesayers
www.MySpace.com/MATLOCKHATESYOU
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