Allow Me To Introduce…

Posted by on September 16, 2010


Matthew Clarke, the winner of the Fresh New Track’s “Trillionaire” competition. Matthew sat down with us recently for a short interview about his life, rapping, and the struggles he’s had to overcome to get to where he is today. Although he’s a man of few words, his music speaks for itself. Below, is the track that won him the competition. Matt was kind enough to bless us with some completely new tracks as well. Be sure to hit the jump to catch the rest of the interview.

Matthew Clarke – Trillionaire (Remix)
Matthew Clarke- Help Me
Matthew Clarke- Die Tomorrow
Matthew Clarke- Drink Up

Who is Matthew Clarke?

I’m just me, my tracks tell the rest.

Where are you from?

From Arlington MA, couple minutes from Boston

Why do you rap?

All I could ever do was write, so when I found myself sitting in a cell for a year with a pen, paper and a radio, it just made sense

Who are your music influences?

Eminem does amazing things with words and rhyme and Tupac had this mind, I cant even put it into words. Basically I would love Eminem’s flow and word play/rhyme mixed with Tupacs mind and poetic style.

Why do you feel that you prevailed in the Trillionaire contest?

With all do respect to everyone that entered I think I gave FNT exactly what you guys were looking for. I went above and beyond the “mentioning FNT” requirement and did it creatively. I worked my ass off on this track and love my verses and found a perfect flow for the beat.

Why do you think there has been such a surge in college rappers as of late?

I’ve been waiting a long time to answer this question. I dont think I’ve heard anyone with a better answer for this. When all of these college rappers were in elementary school and middle school, Eminem was “speaking to suburban kids” and I guarantee that most, if not all of them had the Marshall Mathers LP on replay. All of a sudden all of those suburban kids are 18-22 and growing up with his music has created “the college rapper.”

Do you see yourself as a college rapper?

I’m a college student and I rap so I guess by that description and the one I gave I am but, I didnt start rapping until I had something to say in my music. A lot of the college rap that’s out there is more dance/club/pop tracks as opposed to concept tracks. As long as an artist likes what they put out then, I respect them. I’ve done a few dance tracks but I’m really hoping that those tracks will attract people and get them to start listening to the lyrical content in most of my other tracks.

What do you hope to get out of rapping?

I just wanna have fun with it and I wanna make sure people hear what I have to say

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

If this FNT write up doesn’t blow me up then I guess I see myself in school still. Im getting my associates this semester and transferring to a 4 year school but I’ve already earned credits at Berklee College of Music so I’m hoping to eventually end up there.

Do you have any projects in the near future we should look out for?

Working on my mixtape right now, should be a good mi of party anthems and concept tracks.

Til then check me out at..

http://www.facebook.com/MattyClarke11

http://www.youtube.com/user/Mattyc127

http://go.berkleemusic.com/Matthew_Clarke_1

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