Blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac has harnessed his melodic pop-trap beats and inspiring story with his debut album 20/20 — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Mattmac’s premiere release features poppy vocals combined with hard-hitting trap beats, and thoughtfully honest lyrics that give listeners a glimpse into the mind of a blind creative as he paints vivid sonic pictures of struggle, healing, celebrating love, family and life on the rez. The eight-track album’s lead single Paradise has risen to become a popular song in the Canadian music circuit.
Hailing from Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba, Mattmac has been blind from birth. Mattmac began to struggle with depression at a young age, and credits music for helping him cope; he grew up surrounded by music both on the radio and singing in his community’s gospel choir.
A fully self-taught artist, he first began to make beats and write songs when he was 13 years old, and later taught himself how to play piano and guitar. He also has impressive skills with beat production software and equipment, and attributes his creative competencies to the support of the Blind & Famous group — a U.S.-based collective of blind music artists who collaborate and connect with one another through the Internet.
Mattmac was first launched into the music scene in 2016 when N’we Jinan, a travelling music studio program, visited his community and invited him to collaborate on a project. Pulling inspiration from his personal story, they created a song and video titled Help You See. Through this experience, he connected with International artist Nelly Furtado, and performed alongside her at Indigenous Day Live and We Day Canada Day in 2017; they continue to work together. Mattmac hopes to continue to use his platform to inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
Listen to 20/20 below, watch the video for Paradise above, and find out more about Mattmac via his website and Facebook.
