Today we’d like to introduce you to MATTE.
Hi MATTE, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m MATTE, an independent artist from St. Petersburg, Florida. Music has always been more than entertainment to me—it’s been therapy, an outlet, and a way to tell stories that are sometimes difficult to say out loud.
My journey hasn’t been a straight line. Before pursuing music seriously, I served over eight years in the U.S. Army. When that chapter ended, I found myself searching for purpose and trying to figure out what came next. Through every setback, loss, challenge, and victory, music remained the one constant in my life.
A huge part of my story is my best friend and producer, NicTunez. We’ve built this journey together for years. What started as making records became a brotherhood. Nic has helped shape my sound, pushed me creatively, and been there through some of the highest and lowest moments of my life. A lot of what people hear from MATTE wouldn’t exist without his influence and dedication behind the scenes.
My music is heavily inspired by real life—fatherhood, relationships, loss, mental battles, growth, and the lessons that come from overcoming adversity. I’ve never been interested in creating a character or following trends. I want people to hear my music and know it’s coming from a real place.
Today, I’m continuing to build my career as an independent artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and creator. Every song is another chapter of my story. My goal is simple: create music that connects with people, makes them feel understood, and reminds them they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through.
The story is still being written, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing life, family, and music. Being an independent artist means wearing a lot of hats. You’re the artist, the marketer, the manager, the promoter, and sometimes even the financier. There have been plenty of times where I had to invest in my dream while still making sure my responsibilities as a father came first.
Another challenge was transitioning out of the military and finding my identity again. Music became an outlet during a period where I was trying to rebuild my life and figure out who I was outside of that uniform. Like many people, I’ve dealt with loss, setbacks, self-doubt, and moments where giving up would have been easier than continuing.
The music industry itself can be challenging. It’s easy to get discouraged when songs don’t perform the way you hoped, opportunities fall through, or people don’t immediately see the vision you’re working toward. I’ve learned that success in music isn’t just about talent—it’s about consistency, patience, and being willing to keep going when nobody is paying attention.
I’ve also experienced personal loss that continues to influence my music today. Losing people close to me changed the way I look at life and inspired some of the most meaningful songs I’ve ever written.
Through all of it, having people like my best friend and producer, NicTunez, in my corner has made a huge difference. There were times when one of us believed in the vision more than the other, but we’ve always continued pushing forward together.
I also wouldn’t be where I am today without my fiancée, Chelsie. Since I started taking music seriously, she’s been my rock. While I’ve been in the studio, shooting videos, performing, and chasing this dream, she’s been there helping hold everything together. We’ve built a life together, raised kids together, made music together, and even shared the stage together. Having someone who genuinely believes in you, supports your vision, and is willing to make sacrifices alongside you is something I never take for granted.
Looking back, every obstacle taught me something. The struggles didn’t stop the journey—they became part of the story I’m telling through my music. Every setback, every lesson, and every person who stood by me helped shape the artist and man I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur, I specialize in creating music that comes from real-life experiences. My sound blends elements of hip-hop, rock, pop-punk, and melodic rap, allowing me to tell stories in a way that feels authentic rather than fitting into a single genre.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the music I’ve created—it’s the journey it took to get here. Recently, I graduated with honors from St. Petersburg College with a degree in Music Industry Recording Arts, an accomplishment that means a great deal to me because it represents years of hard work, growth, and commitment to my craft. I was also honored to receive the FAMA Award for Music Production and Composition, which was a huge milestone and validation of the work I’ve put into developing as a songwriter, producer, and creative professional.
I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve built everything independently. From writing and recording music to organizing shows, building a brand, and developing other artists, I’ve learned how to create opportunities rather than wait for them. Alongside my best friend and producer, NicTunez, we’ve spent years developing a sound and catalog that reflects who we are and where we’ve come from.
Helping other artists grow is another part of my passion. Whether it’s collaborating, mentoring, sharing knowledge, or creating opportunities through live events and networking, I’ve always believed success is better when it’s shared.
What sets me apart is my willingness to be vulnerable. A lot of artists create characters or images. I create from experience. My music talks about loss, fatherhood, mental struggles, relationships, military service, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. When people listen to my music, they’re hearing real stories, real emotions, and real lessons learned throughout my life.
More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to build and perform alongside my fiancée, Chelsie, as she develops her own career as an artist. Being able to create music together, perform together, and support each other’s dreams has added another level of meaning to the work we do.
At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be more than streams or numbers. I want people to connect with my music because it helped them through something, inspired them to keep going, or reminded them they weren’t alone.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that every chapter of your life has a purpose, even when you don’t understand it at the time.
There were periods in my life that felt like setbacks—leaving the military, personal losses, failed plans, financial struggles, and moments where I felt like I was starting over. Looking back, those experiences became the foundation for the person and artist I am today.
I’ve learned that growth usually comes from discomfort. Some of my biggest breakthroughs happened after some of my hardest moments. Those experiences taught me resilience, gratitude, and how to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan.
I’ve also learned that success means different things at different stages of life. When I was younger, I probably would have measured success through money, recognition, or achievements. Today, success means being present for my family, creating meaningful music, graduating college, earning my FAMA Award for Music Production and Composition, and building something I’m proud of.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that your story has value. The things you’ve survived, the mistakes you’ve made, and the lessons you’ve learned can help someone else. That’s why I continue to create music—to turn life experiences into something that others can connect with and hopefully find strength in themselves.
Pricing:
- Feature 100$
- Engineering 30 an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/OfficialMATTE
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_officialmatte_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmattellc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjtyciak
- Twitter: https://x.com/officialmatte_
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@officialmatte
