Mattsuuii’s Hip Hop Talk Shop

Summary • Introduction and Background of "T.M."  ◦ Mattsuuii introduces "T.M." an artist from Atlanta, Georgia, now living in Las Vegas, Nevada, and mentions his affiliation with Rock Nation and Wild Dogs Entertainment.  ◦ "T.M." clarifies his name as "T.M." and mentions his label, Loose Cannon Records.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his background, mentioning his independent label, Way 2 Guud Entertainment, and his family's musical influence.  ◦ Mattsuuii recounts his early exposure to rock music, specifically Rush, and his early songwriting efforts, including being registered as a songwriter by BMI at age nine. • "T.M.'s Musical Journey and Inspirations   ◦ "T.M." discusses his upbringing in a radio family, exposed to various music genres, and his early piano playing skills.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his family's musical background, including his grandparents' involvement in country bands and their connections with Merle Haggard.  ◦ "T.M." explains his move to Las Vegas after returning from Iraq, initially for a drive but ending up staying.  ◦ "T.M." describes his transition from concert promotion to becoming an artist, influenced by his friends and the EDM scene in Las Vegas. • Writing Process and Musical Style   ◦ "T.M." describes his writing process, which involves freestyling and piecing together usable bars.  ◦ Mattsuuii and "T.M." discuss their influences, including Lil Wayne's freestyling techniques.  ◦ "T.M." explains his eclectic musical style, starting with hip hop over dubstep and EDM, and later moving into pop hip hop and emo rap.  ◦ "T.M." mentions his recent collaboration with The Source, which compared him to artists like Juice WRLD and Iann Dior. • Artistry and Defining Hip Hop   ◦ Mattsuuii and "T.M." discuss the difference between rap and hip hop, emphasizing hip hop's cultural and emotional depth.  ◦ "T.M." defines artistry as subjective and not for everyone, using the example of Picasso's paintings.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience with songwriting and the complexity of his lyrics, including references to historical and sports figures.  ◦ "T.M." and Mattsuuii agree on the importance of evoking emotions through music and the role of storytelling in hip hop. • "T.M."' 's Projects and Aspirations   ◦ "T.M." talks about his recent EP release, featuring a previously unreleased single and a collaboration with Lil Wayne.  ◦ "T.M." mentions his previous EP, "The Weapon," produced by Funka, and his focus on releasing singles.  ◦ Mattsuhii shares his own musical journey, including his self-produced albums and collaborations with other artists.  ◦ "T.M." discusses his upcoming projects, including a single with Fuego Base and Black Soprano Family, and his goal of charting on Billboard. • Collaboration and Future Plans   ◦ Mattsuuii offers "T.M." two free beats and suggests potential collaboration opportunities.  ◦ "T.M." expresses interest in working with Mattsuuii and mentions his label's support.  ◦ Mattsuuii highlights the importance of creative control and his commitment to his independent label.  ◦ "T.M." and Mattsuuii discuss the potential for future projects and the benefits of their mutual connections in the music industry. • Closing Remarks and Shoutouts   ◦ "T.M." shares his gratitude for the support from his label, distribution, and engineers.  ◦ Mattsuuii offers his engineering services and expresses his appreciation for the artists featured on his podcast.  ◦ "T.M." and Mattsuuii exchange final shoutouts and express their excitement for future collaborations.  ◦ The podcast episode concludes with Mattsuuii promising to send the link to T.M." and the listeners.  

Summary • Introduction and Backgrounds  ◦ Mattsuuii introduces Dennis Campbell, also known as MrBizNTech, a 36-year-old hip hop artist from St. Louis, Missouri, now residing in LA.  ◦ Dennis Campbell introduces himself as a tech executive, entrepreneur, and innovator, and mentions his background in hip hop, having been making music for about 10-12 years.  ◦ Mattsuuii his educational background, including degrees from Los Angeles Film School and Musicians Institute, and his current role as an on-call producer and engineer for Universal and Sony.  ◦ Dennis discusses his upbringing in St. Louis, highlighting the cultural and systemic oppression he faced, and how his family helped him stay on the right path. • Transition to Tech and Entrepreneurship   ◦ Dennis explains his early passion for technology, influenced by the rise of social media like Facebook during his high school years.  ◦ He shares his journey from St. Louis to Atlanta, where he attended Georgia Tech and eventually moved to California.  ◦ Dennis emphasizes the challenges of growing up in St. Louis, particularly for young African American men, and his determination to find opportunities outside the city.  ◦ Mattsuuii relates to Dennis's experience, sharing his own background from Redding, California, and his work with Universal and Sony. • Musical Journey and First Project   ◦ Dennis talks about his first project, an album titled "You Cannot See This," which was released on October 17.  ◦ He describes the album as a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, encouraging listeners to be their authentic selves and live their purpose.  ◦ Dennis explains the album's structure, starting with an introduction to his background and ending with tracks meant to bring life and inspiration.  ◦ He highlights his lyrical style, which blends traditional hip hop with a focus on connecting and resonating with listeners. • Mattsuuii"s Musical Background and Aspirations (7:06)  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his early interest in music, starting to write lyrics at six years old and being published by BMI at nine.  ◦ He discusses his transition from rock to hip hop, influenced by his experiences in juvenile hall and his first album released in 2012.  ◦ Mattsuuii talks about his educational journey, earning two bachelor's degrees and becoming a self-producer to avoid studio costs.  ◦ He mentions his upcoming album, "And That's That," and his aspirations to collaborate with other artists, including Dennis. • Defining Hip Hop and Rap   ◦ Dennis explains his definition of hip hop as a culture encompassing music, lifestyle, fashion, dancing, art, and DJing.  ◦ He differentiates hip hop from rap, describing rap as the music art form within the broader hip hop culture.  ◦ Mattsuuii adds his perspective, defining rap as something anyone can do and hip hop as a feeling that can evoke emotions and reactions.  ◦ Dennis references KRS-One's quote, "Hip Hop is hip intelligent movement," emphasizing the empowering and inspiring nature of hip hop. • Artistry and Self-Expression  ◦ Dennis defines artistry as self-expression through various forms, including painting, video, movie, and song.  ◦ He emphasizes the importance of artistry as a vehicle for expressing emotions and inspiring others.  ◦ Mattsuuii agrees, sharing his own definition and experiences in self-expression through music.  ◦ Dennis discusses his upcoming projects, including more visuals for his album and potential collaborations with other artists. • Entrepreneurial Ventures and Future Plans   ◦ Dennis talks about his tech company, On Another World, which focuses on immersive technology at the intersection of wellness and technology.  ◦ He explains his strategy of using his tech career to promote his music and attract more attention to his art.  ◦ Dennis mentions his use of AI for creating visuals and his plan to gradually release singles from his album on platforms like Spotify.  ◦ He discusses his ebook, "Beyond Code," which provides guidance on entering the tech industry, and his plans for future collaborations and projects. • Collaboration and Support   ◦ Mattsuuii offers to produce and engineer Dennis's upcoming projects for free, highlighting his support for up-and-coming artists.  ◦ Dennis expresses interest in collaborating with Mattsuuii and other artists, emphasizing the importance of community and support in the music industry.  ◦ They discuss the potential for using AI and technology to enhance their creative processes and reach new audiences.  ◦ Dennis shares his contact information and social media handles, encouraging listeners to connect with him and support his work. • Closing Remarks and Shoutouts   ◦ Mattsuuii plays Dennis's song "Why Wait" and praises its lyrics and production quality.  ◦ Dennis thanks Mattsuuii for the opportunity to be on the show and shares his appreciation for the support from his family and community.  ◦ He provides his social media handles and encourages listeners to check out his music and follow his journey.  ◦ Mattsuuii expresses gratitude for the conversation and looks forward to future collaborations with Dennis.  

Summary • Introduction and Backgrounds   ◦ Mattsuuii introduces XHale (aka Chris Hale) from Phoenix, Arizona, now residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  ◦ XHale introduces himself as part of the record label Century World Industry and expresses his dedication to the music industry.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his background, including his education in sound engineering and music production, and his work as a producer and ghostwriter for Universal and Sony.  ◦ Mattsuuii explains his use of his success to help upcoming artists through his podcast and mentions his professional promoter. • Upbringing and Early Influences   ◦ XHale talks about his upbringing in Phoenix, mentioning his birth in Mesa and his involvement in sports like basketball and football.  ◦ He shares his transition into music, influenced by his interest in manipulating sounds and noises from a young age.  ◦ XHale discusses his early projects, including remixes for Lil John and Lil Scrappy, and his first significant project, "Day of Reckoning" with the group Simply Pimpin.  ◦ He mentions winning the Producer's Choice Award for Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the Phoenix Music Awards in 2011. • Musical Journey and Achievements   ◦ Mattsuuii shares his early musical journey, starting with his first album "Money Over Matter" in 2012 and his subsequent education in music production.  ◦ XHale talks about his first significant project, "Day of Reckoning," and its impact, including winning an award at the Phoenix Music Awards.  ◦ Mattsuuii highlights his ghostwriting work for artists like Tee Grizzly, Travis Scott, and Kanye West, and the royalties he receives from these collaborations.  ◦ XHale discusses his current project with Shadow Boy, a new song called "Low Rider Girl," and its cultural significance. • Artistry and Definitions   ◦ Mattsuuii and XHale discuss the differences between rap and hip hop, with XHale defining rap as putting words together that rhyme and hip hop as the feeling and soul behind the words.  ◦ They agree that mainstream music is often just rap, while hip hop can evoke emotions and tell stories.  ◦ XHale defines artistry as the ability to convey feelings and emotions through music, and they discuss how artistry can be expressed in various forms, not just music.  ◦ Mattsuuii emphasizes the importance of creativity and the ability to evoke emotions in art. • Independence and Future Plans   ◦ XHale talks about his decision to maintain creative control over his music and his ability to manage his career independently.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his own experience of working independently and running his own label, Way 2 Guud ENT.  ◦ They discuss the importance of education in music and their respective educational backgrounds, including attending Full Sail University.  ◦ XHale mentions his ongoing education at Full Sail to obtain a Bachelor's degree in audio production. • Collaboration and Final Thoughts  ◦ Mattsuuii offers to send XHale two free beats and new tracks for potential collaboration.  ◦ XHale expresses his interest in working with Mattsuuii and shares his acronym for success: Faith, Focused, Aware, Dedicated, and Educated People Around Us.  ◦ They discuss the importance of spirituality and faith in their lives and their plans to stay in contact for future collaborations.  ◦XHale shares his social handles and thanks Mattsuuii for the opportunity to be on the show, while Mattsuuii wishes XHale a happy belated birthday and promotes the episode for release.  

Summary • Introduction and Background of AK the Akrinknight   ◦ Mattsuuii introduces AK the Akrinknight, also known as AK, who is originally from Lorain, Ohio, but has lived most of his life in Akron, Ohio.  ◦ AK shares that he was inspired to start making music at the age of 13, influenced by his older brother who was into rap.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his own background, mentioning that he started writing lyrics at the age of six and became a professional songwriter by the age of nine.  ◦ Both speakers discuss their early inspirations, with Suuii mentioning artists like Rush and AK mentioning artists like Twista and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. • Early Music Projects and Label Experiences   ◦ AK talks about his first project, which was not officially released but involved handing out CDs and performing in local stores.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience of releasing his first full project in 2013 called "Money Over Matter" and founding his own record label, Way 2 Guud Entertainment.  ◦ AK mentions his involvement with the label Logik Records and working on albums like "The Foundation" and "Volume One, Volume Two, Volume Three."  ◦ Mattsuuii discusses his experience as a ghostwriter, writing songs for artists all over the world, and the importance of maintaining humility despite success. • Recent Projects and Achievements   ◦ AK talks about his recent singles, including "The Best Alive," which he entered in a contest and placed eighth out of over 1000 entries.  ◦  Mattsuuii shares his upcoming fifth album, which he is self-producing, and mentions his recent single "Hotta Than Me."  ◦ Both speakers discuss the importance of having substance in music and the impact of their personal experiences on their songwriting.  ◦ AK mentions his goal of providing for his family through music and the importance of maintaining integrity in the industry. • Defining Artistry and Inspirations  ◦ Suuii and AK discuss the difference between rap and hip hop, with Mattsuuii emphasizing the need for emotion and storytelling in hip hop.  ◦ AK shares his perspective on artistry, describing it as an expression of culture that can span various forms, including painting and crafting.  ◦ Both speakers talk about their inspirations, with AK mentioning artists like JID, Joyner Lucas, and Eminem, and Mattsuuii mentioning artists like Royce Da 5' 9" and Kendrick Lamar.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience of being a registered poet and the importance of continuous learning and education in music production. • Future Goals and Collaboration   ◦ AK expresses his desire to provide for his family and gain fans through his music, emphasizing the importance of small, steady steps.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his aspirations of winning multiple Grammys and being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  ◦ Both speakers discuss the importance of maintaining integrity and not compromising their values for financial gain.  ◦ Mattsuuii offers to send AK two free beats and suggests a potential collaboration, highlighting the mutual respect and admiration between them. • Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts   ◦ AK shares his gratitude for the opportunity to be on the show and expresses his motivation to continue pursuing his music career.  ◦ Mattsuuii encourages AK to never doubt himself and to use any criticism as fuel for his success.  ◦ Both speakers share their social media handles and plans for future collaboration, with Mattsuuii promising to send AK some of his music for feedback.  ◦ The interview concludes with AK performing his song "Lisa Mona" and Mattsuuii expressing his admiration for AK's talent and potential.  

An assertive episode where the narrator refuses to be deterred, leads a group of musicians, and pushes back against critics. Themes of leadership, defiance, and aspiration drive the narrative as the protagonist rallies others and reaches for "wings" of ambition.

Summary • Childhood and Upbringing in th Crest   ◦ Mattsuuii introduces Sleep Dank, Mac Dre's cousin, and mentions his connection to the Bay Area.  ◦ Sleep describes his upbringing in an all-black neighborhood called the Country Club Crest, Vallejo, highlighting its tough elements and strong community support.  ◦ The community played a significant role in raising the children, with neighbors looking out for each other.  ◦ He also emphasizes the neighborhood's history of being one of the worst in Vallejo since the 1960s. • Early Days with Mac Dre   ◦ Sleep Dank recounts how Mac Dre started rapping and used to sleep at his mother's house, leaving his equipment for Sleep to play with.  ◦ Sleep mentions making beats with Mac Dre, Dubee AKD Tha Sugawolf PImp and Mac Mall, and how they were young and making demos.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his own background, including his involvement in the ecstasy movement and his subsequent seven-year prison sentence for manslaughter.  ◦ Sleep clarifies the difference between the hyphy movement and mob music, emphasizing that he identifies more with gangster rap. • Impact of Mac Dre's Death  ◦ Suuii asks about the impact of Mac Dre's death on the Crest.  ◦ Sleep Dank explains that it was a significant blow, as Dre was just reaching his pinnacle and was unexpectedly cut from them.  ◦ The community had to bear down and keep the legacy going, with each member holding onto what they learned from Dre.  ◦ He also expresses that he doesn't celebrate Dre's death but keeps him in his heart, while Matt celebrates and prays for him every year. • Sleep Dank's Music Career   ◦ Suuii inquires about Sleep Dank's first real project.  ◦ Sleep talks about his first album, "Murder Book Author," which sold over 5000 units and was distributed by Coolio Da Undadog.  ◦ He discusses the current music industry, emphasizing the shift towards singles and the importance of making people want the album.  ◦ Sleep mentions his two new singles, two digital albums, and an upcoming collaboration with Glasses Malone. • Differences Between Rap and Hip Hop   ◦ Mattsuuii asks Sleep Dank about the difference between rap and hip hop.  ◦ Sleep explains that a hip hop artist has topics and can speak on various things, making emotions and sticking to the story.  ◦ A rapper, according to him uses money as their image and doesn't focus on the lyrics.  ◦ He also emphasizes the importance of being true to one's craft and not using images to gain fame. • True Artistry and Writing Process   ◦ Mattsuuii asks about true artistry.  ◦ Sleep Dank defines true artistry as someone who writes music consistently, even when not at home, and always writes from personal experiences.  ◦ He also shares that he never experienced writer's block because he writes from his life experiences.  ◦ He advises rappers to make themselves happy and tell their stories their way, without worrying about pleasing others. • Battle Rap and Future Plans   ◦ Mattsuuii mentions his background in producing and engineering music.  ◦ Sleep goes onto talk about his love for battle rap and his involvement in various leagues, including starting his own league, Headshot Battle League.  ◦ He plans to bring battle rap to the 707 area and is looking for new talent to join his league.  ◦ Sleep also mentions his new label, Bay Area Drill Music, which combines Chicago drill music with a Bay Area melody. • Final Thoughts and Shoutouts  ◦ Suuii and Sleep discuss their upcoming projects and potential collaborations.  ◦ Sleep shares his social media handles and encourages people to check out his music and videos on YouTube.  ◦ He also gives shoutouts to the universe, Mac Dre, and the Bay Area rappers, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his story.  ◦ Mattsuuii thanks Sleep for the insightful conversation and mentions sending him two free beats for potential collaboration.  

Summary • Introduction and Background of JaeKush Kush   ◦ Mattsuuii introduces the show, "Mattsuui's Hip Hop Talk Shop Shop Two," and welcomes ThaReall JaeKush from Chicago, Illinois.  ◦ JaeKush shares his background, mentioning his Muslim name, Zahir and his upbringing on the south side of Chicago in the Roseland community (Wild100s).  ◦ JaeKush discusses his age, turning 30 soon, and his early exposure to music, starting in fifth grade due to his surroundings and experiences.  ◦ JaeKush talks about his conversion to Islam and the impact of violence, drugs, and losing family members on his music. • Mattsuuii"s Music Background and Show Purpose   ◦ Mattsuuii shares his extensive music background, including being published with BMI as a professional songwriter at nine, and his degrees in music production and sound engineering.  ◦ Mattsuuii explains the purpose of the show, which is to find and showcase talented artists who need to be heard.  ◦ The main topic of the show is the difference between rap and hip hop, with JaeKush defining rap as more for entertainment and hip hop as a storytelling form.  ◦ Mattsuuii emphasizes the importance of creative freedom and the ability to evoke emotions in hip hop, calling himself a "Picasso with a ballpoint pen." • Defining Real Artistry and Storytelling   ◦ JaeKush and Mattsuuii discuss the definition of a real artist, with JaeKush stating that an artist should paint a picture with their words.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his approach to storytelling, mentioning songs like "It's a Tragedy" and "Shadows Don't Last," and his use of complex vocabulary and metaphors.  ◦ JaeKush agrees with Mattsuuii's approach and discusses the challenge of not cursing in music, praising Mattsuuii's talent for doing so.  ◦ The conversation touches on the importance of authenticity in music, with JaeKush speaking from personal experiences and Mattsuuii emphasizing the need for relatable stories. • Independent vs. Major Labels  ◦ Mattsuuii asks JaeKush about his preference for signing with an independent label or a major label.  ◦ JaeKush expresses a preference for independent labels, citing the lack of control and the multiple levels of command in major labels.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares the success story of Russ, an independent artist who owned his masters and built a successful career without a major label.  ◦ The discussion includes the benefits of independent labels, such as creative control and better care for artists. • Merchandise and Collaboration   ◦ JaeKush mentions his partnership with a personal camera man and their clothing line, which includes music and camera-related items.  ◦ Mattsuuii offers to connect JaeKush with a professional who can provide affordable merchandise, including shirts and beanies.  ◦ JaeKush expresses interest in obtaining 100-200 shirts and hoodies for his merchandise.  ◦ Mattsuuii and JaeKush discuss potential collaboration, with JaeKush mentioning his upcoming project, "The Voice of Roseland" (Wild100s) and Mattsuuii offering to send beats for JaeKush to use. • Playing JaeKush's Music  ◦ Mattsuuii plays JaeKush's song, "Roseland's Most Wanted," (Wild100s) and asks JaeKush about the project it comes from.  ◦ JaeKush mentions his first project and his upcoming project, "The Voice of Rose," (Wild100s) which is expected to release around the end of November or early December.  ◦ Mattsuuii shares his own music background, mentioning his projects like "Money Over Matter" and "One Blow K.O.."  ◦ The conversation includes plans for future collaboration, with JaeKush expressing interest in working with Mattsuuii and shooting a music video. • Closing Remarks and Shoutouts   ◦ Mattsuuii offers JaeKush two free beats and encourages him to pick one or two for potential collaboration.  ◦ JaeKush expresses gratitude and mentions his responsibilities, promising to check out the beats later.  ◦ Mattsuuii and JaeKush exchange shoutouts, with JaeKush shouting out the Chicago area and his community, and Mattsuuii shouting out God, music, and the listeners.  ◦ The episode concludes with Mattsuuii thanking JaeKush for joining the show and expressing excitement for future collaboration.