MattY in the Live Lounge with Fearne Cotton

MattY and Cherise get prepared outside of the studio where Fearne Cotton is presenting. She plays All My Bitches by Mykaylah, and gestures for them to come in. The two of them walk into the room and she bounces up and quickly greets them both with a hug.
The song comes to a close as MattY and Cherise sit themselves down and get near to the microphones. “And that was Mykaylah’s number 1 hit, All My Bitches! Absolutely love it! Now my guests have arrived!!!! I am so excited!! And if you are wandering why I said guests rather than just guest you will be pretty excited to find out that not only is MATTY here, but so is the amazing CHERISE!! OHMAGAWD!!!”
The two of them laugh and she continues, “So hiya guys! How are you two?!?!” She quickly exclaims, obviously excited.
Cherise smiles, “I am good thank you – he is still tired from his touring, you can see it with the bags under his eyes” The two of them laugh while MattY runs his hand through his hair. “I had to force him to get up this morning!”
MattY shakes his head, “No you didn’t…” he unzips his hoody and puts it on the back of his chair. “But yeah, thanks Fearne, I’m not bad. Yourself?”
“Fantastic! I am great thanks! Proper excited about today!! So just a quick thing then – you two are an item aren’t you?”
The two of them nod, “Yeah, its true – I know she has been bragging about me to like everyone who will listen, so I will just confirm that we are together”
Cherise audibly inhales, “Bragging eh? You joker MattY”
“Oooooh, Chillax guys!” Fearne laughs, “But awwww, its great to see young couples! So anyway, you are here to do the live lounge correct?” MattY is about to answer when se continues, “Of course you are… But yeah, so we are getting an exclusive today aren’t we?!”
MattY nods, “Yes, that’s right, my new single Taking Over will be performed LIVE here on Radio 1 before it has even been released to radio – which is this Sunday by the way!”
“Wicked stuff! Can’t wait to hear this! Cherise, how much of a part did you have in this song then?”
“MattY wrote it all, he had the song in mind well before Pyramid had taken off – and then when Pyramid did take off, he told me I was featuring on this song. And of course I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with MattY again as he had always worked with Celeste and I when we wanted him. He is great to work with,” She looks at him and smiles.
MattY grins, “It’s true, I am amazing to work with. Yeah, I did have this song in mind as a solo track before – but then Pyramid took off and Cherise started Taking Over the industry.
“Niiiiiiiiiiiiice, Pretty awesome stuff then! I hear that you have been working with Harry $naff too MattY? How did that come about? I mean, most people listening won’t have even heard of him.”
MattY nods, “Yeah I know what you mean, I saw that new record label come up out of nowhere and they signed him and the Stat Nerds pretty quickly. Of course, him being a rapper, I had to check him out – see the competition. And he didn’t have much stuff I could find, only a few covers on youtube and the occasional freestyle. So I called the guy and asked him to come over to Europe while I was touring. We got some stuff written and had an idea for two songs which linked. One will be his debut single; ‘Crumbling’ and the other will be on my album. The song on my album is called ‘Moving On’ and we are recording them this weekend.”
Fearne is bouncing on her chair, “WOW! That is cool! So do you always check out new artists when they come along?”
“Yeah of course, I mean I am the co-owner of a label aren’t I? Monk on Fire Music! I am always looking for the best new talent – and MOFM have some of it!”
Cherise looks at the clock, “Oh gosh! We have to be gone pretty soon – can we do our track please? Sorry!” they all laugh.
“Of course! You guys go and set up while Moonstruck by The Eager To Party Scholars plays!”
The song finishes and Fearne starts talking, “And now we have a Radio 1 EXCLUSIVE! This is Taking Over by MattY and Cherise! Enjoy!”
The base kicks in and MattY and Cherise are in the zone. Cherise starts to sing, and MattY introduces them, “M A T’s to the Y! Cherise!”
Cherise belts out a perfect chorus, which has MattY wondering how his rapping will make him look better than her. He pulls out his lightning speed rhythmical rapping and then passes it back over to Cherise. She does another chorus, and then MattY has a slow verse. This verse is about how they worked hard to reach where they are. The pace increase and then MattY is rapping at almost the same pace as the last verse. This verse is twice as long as the previous one and then eventually it comes back around to the chorus. After the chorus MattY has a short verse which ends with Cherise and MattY both saying ‘Taking Over’ at the same time.
“WOW!!! And that was Taking Over by MattY and Cherise! Wicked! That is incredible! Cannot wait to be able to play that song on the radio!”
MattY laughs and then Cherise quickly starts talking, “Thank you, and remember all of you guys, that my single RedLight is out now!! Also, my album Destination Unknown is out on the 14th of March!!!!!!!”
“Thank you Cherise, it was so nice to have you hear today! And MattY, you said you have a cover on your website – so are you ready to reveal this?”
“Thank you Fearne!” Cherise leaves the live lounge gesturing to MattY 5 minutes.
He nods, “Yeah I am! The song is Stacey Walton’s Don’t Look Back. Stacey, I am so sorry if I kill this track – maybe I’ll make the original look even better, so everyone will go and buy it – that’s how I am looking at it anyway” MattY laughs.
Fearne laughs with him, “Okay MattY – good luck!”
The music starts and MattY starts to rap the words to Don’t Look Back – After the third chorus, he does a short freestyle and the song finishes. “Thank you Fearne! Remember that the song is available to download and stuff on the 19th of March! Right I gotta go now! Safe.”
With that MattY rushes out to the car.

Inteview with Hip-Hop NY Magasine

MattY, welcome to New York! Are you enjoying your stay over here?
Thank you! I love America; New York is such a great place. I love everything about New York, from the huge buildings to the parks, to the coffee shops to the department stores. It is a great place to be.

Well we are glad that you are enjoying it here. I must say congratulations with the single. It has hit number 1 on its first week in the charts! How does that feel?
Oh it is an amazing feeling and I love it! I knew this song had the potential to be huge, and putting Cherise on it only made it better!

So when is it officially released then?
Taking Over? It is due for release on the 19th. So five days!

That is great! I can’t wait to get my hands on my copy! Anyway, back to Cherise – you and her are still together correct?
Yeah, we are still good. A quick plug here, her debut solo album – Destination Unknown – was released today. It is incredible! Actually go and buy it! Anyway, yeah I think my relationship with Cherise is great as we understand each other both musically and personally. She has said many times that I know how to get the best out of her, but I think that she can do it on her own or with other artists, she is just comfortable around me and relaxes. In this game, being relaxes is so much better during the recording sessions than being stressed.

Ah, so to all of you aspiring artists reading this, listen to the words of wisdom from MattY! Relax and it will work!
Yeah, that is exactly it! Just chill and let the music take over.

So today, we have the exclusive of the name of your second album! Do you care to tell us and explain?
Yes! The album will be called Growth; this is because I feel personally that I have grown and developed my sound and myself as a person since Fresh Face. I feel that this album is much more mature musically and lyrically and that it fits who I am as a person more now.

Deep. So do you have a release date for the album yet?
Yeah, there will be one more single before the album is released, and that will be released in late April. The album is currently scheduled for release on the 21st of May, but it could be moved.

So not too long left to wait then for the second instalment of your albums! Fantastic! So how has recording been going? That is the main reason that you are over here isn’t it?
Yeah, recording is going great. I have done some in the UK and I came over here to work in a different environment to see if I could get any more different creative ideas. I also came over to record with a couple of artists for the album, for example Harry $naff – who released his debut single featuring me the other day – who I have done a two-part collaboration. We have recorded both bits now, the second part – which will be on my album – was recorded yesterday.

So you are the Co-Owner of a relatively young label, Monk On Fire Music, how is that going?
I love being part of a label, I always loved it at Shooting Star Records, but I saw this opportunity and Malory supported me with my decision. I have the utmost respect for Malory and I hope that she doesn’t feel that I have tried to steal artists from her label when I signed myself and Cherise to the label, I just felt that Monk On Fire Music was a step in the right direction, Shooting Star Records is an amazing label, and I seriously recommend it as it has incredible resources and amazing staff.

Recently, there has been a diss song released by Monte Carlos who is signed to your label. How do you feel about this?
If I am honest, I have never understood YRMG as musicians or as people. I am deeply sorry that Monte felt the need to write the track, but I understand that his long time partner Rel was dropped from the label, through my choice, and this has hurt him personally. But I will reinforce my decision, Rel was dropped because he announced his retirement from music, but then he came out of ‘retirement’ not long after being dropped. I am sorry if he feels hard done to, but Rel was trouble to himself and others and I don’t want people to associate the trouble he caused with my label.

A spokesperson from MOFM said that YRMG are allowed to leave the label if they feel that will be beneficial.
Yeah, Trell and Monte Carlos are more than welcome to leave. If they don’t want to work with our label they can go. Monte Carlos has already said that he will be releasing his album independently, so we will talk to him about his contract shortly.

Okay, well I just have one more subject to cover. Touring. When do you think you will be out and about touring again?
Erm… I don’t know yet, I may do a short tour in the summer, or maybe towards the end of the year. I don’t have any tour dates planned at the moment. I don’t know where I will go either… I may do a capital cities tour around the world… I don’t know yet.

Well thank you very much for coming today MattY. Congratulations with the number 1 and good luck with Growth!
Thank you very much!

MattY Live at Pride Park Stadium, Derby (Saturday 9th of April)

The half time whistle blares, and the players are coming off. MattY is waiting in the tunnel, as the Derby players walk off. Robbie Savage – Derby County’s captain – comes over and shakes his hand.
“My kids love your music,” he says.
MattY nods, “Cheers Robbie, I love the way you play – you are a real legend”
Savage thanks him and then continues off into the changing rooms.
MattY stands in the tunnel for a further minute before he hears a voice outside, “And today all of you at Pride Park Stadium, we have local boy turned international superstar, MattY to perform for you all!” A cheer is heard from the stands.
MattY walks out and the blazing heat hits him like a tonne of bricks. MattY lifts the microphone to his face, “Wow, it’s hot out here! It has been an exciting game today – hope the Rams can finish the job!” MattY manages to get a reaction, with many of the Derby fans cheering, and the Coventry fans booing. “Anyway, let’s get the show going – I have two tracks to perform for you today. Hope you enjoy them!”
MattY removes his jacket as the music starts playing. A heavy baseline blasts out of the speakers, and MattY starts to rap over the top. He moves around the centre circle, looking into the fans at all times. The substitutes are out, and are kicking a ball around. A bad pass finds MattY’s feet and he starts doing some kick ups whilst performing. He puts the ball down and dribbles towards one of the Coventry players, still rapping. He tries to flick the ball over his head but messes up and flicks it behind him. With this MattY leave the footballs alone and continues to perform musically. The music stops and MattY lifts his head up towards the sun. He takes a deep breath, and then puts the microphone back up to his face. “That was Cold Dark Place, and to end my short performance here, I have one last track for you all – it is my current single, which has charted at number 1 – TAKING OVER!!” This extracts a few more cheers from the audience.
Cherise’s vocals reverberate around the stadium as MattY rolls his head in order to loosen his neck. MattY’s line is coming up and he lifts the microphone to his mouth. His flow is fast, and strong – and every word is said perfectly in time with when it should be. MattY stops for a breath just as the chorus comes back on. He jogs back over to the centre circle, as he has somehow drifted towards the away stand, and takes a sip from the bottle of water he dropped over there – also picking up his jacket. He finishes drinking just in time to start rapping again – he gets the audience clapping along with him, and then finishes with a bow. The audience cheers him, and he is pleasantly surprised with how much noise he received at the end compared to the beginning.
“Thank you Derby! I hope you enjoy the second half!” With that MattY walks off the pitch and down the tunnel.