Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Allen
Hi Matthew, 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?
My music journey started with a love of Stevie Wonder. I heard “Sir Duke” and the rest was history I knew that for the rest of my life I wanted to do that, get somewhere close to that.
From there I was crazy about music and pageantry of performing, I didn’t know what exactly I was going to do but I knew I wanted to make people feel something.
I tried my hand at Pop Rock but that industry wasn’t really feeling me and after spending time rapping with my brother and his friends after school I found my way going to open mics trying to see if Hip Hop provided me a better opportunity to be myself and it did.
I went from “Shut Up & Rap” to performing my original music with the grammy winning Minnesota Orchestra and beyond.
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?
No it has not.
I don’t think it ever really is if the music you make in any way challenges the status quo.
First there is just racism. Point blank, full stop. Racism is a massive hinderance to many a musician ESPECIALLY in places where the population is very one sided. There were venues that didn’t want to throw “Hip Hop” nights because they were scared of the people who like that music. You wouldn’t get put on bills or be denied opportunities.
There is also the other end of the spectrum where well meaning folks want to treat you like a prized pet. The “You’re so well spoken” types or the ones that say “I don’t like rap but I like you”. That’s the kind of energy that eats away at you after a while.
There is also industry norms that create a divide if you have differing moral standards.
Sexual Assault and misconduct is rampant in the music community. There are so many big names that you have to distance yourself from in order not to get caught up in that sort of stuff. And even outside of dealing with the perpetrators themselves there are people and institutions that have looked the other way for so long that when you stand up against it they often take it as a personal attack against their history of inaction.
This creates and even strong level of gatekeeping than what already exists in the music industry.
I have had people lie to me, try to cheat me, tried to fight me.
This business is not for the faint of heart.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a musician and entertainer.
I specialize in Hip Hop and Pop as well as hosting, Table Top Role Play, and a little bit of acting.
I am most proud of the community I have been able to build off the back of my music. Both in my fans and my personal team that helps make Nur-D what it is today.
I think what sets me apart from others is the way I see the world and the way I have found to express that.
I’d like to think I make connections others don’t whihc leads me into interesting new places that other people don’t find.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a class clown.
I wasn’t particularly studious but that was mostly because I was bored. There were other things in life that felt more interesting and even if there weren’t I felt there were certainly more interesting ways to teach them.
I spent most of life with severe depression and suicidal ideation but I masked it with performance, religious zeal, and an unhealthy relationship with food.
It meant that I was the funny fat friend on the outside but real messed up on the inside.
I found things that I really loved and tended to stick to them.
Comics, Video Games, Professional Wrestling, Creative Writing, and various other geek pursuits.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nurdrocks.com
