PRESS RELEASE: No grey area for singer and rapper Matty Grey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8 April 2024

No grey area for singer and rapper Matty Grey

Johannesburg, South Africa

We’d like to think that a true artist has no bounds. They could create in whatever way they want. But, despite our instinct, modern society and music marketing has got us to believe an artist is only good at one thing. We tend to want to box an artist into just “doing that” well. However, alternative rapper and singer Matty Grey is an example of an artist breaking the mould as a modern musician.

“In what context?”, Grey replies, in answer to a question about what kind of artist he is, “How I am perceived and understood is unique to myself as it is to every other person.” Grey, as his name implies, explores the ‘grey’ area between many artforms, which includes the music genres he is attracted to explore. As a child he was always encouraged to try different things, moving between visual and performing arts as well as creative writing. Why would his career as a music artist be any different?

Now, at 23 years old and on the cusp of starting his professional career as a recording artist, Matty Grey appears fully formed in his understanding of creativity. “I create stories, moments and feelings in order to connect with others that may relate,” Grey explains, as he reasons why he effortlessly moves between styles and genres of music. To him, shifting to a new music genre is simply a way of expressing different feelings. His art will live on past his time, “I make music and art for people that do not know I exist yet, and for people that do not exist yet at all.”

Matty Grey, however, finds that the freedom to create comes with its own societal baggage. While it would be ideal for fans to just go with the flow, Grey has found that they try to box his work. While his alternative music has attracted more interest, his other genres include indie, hip hop and trap. These strong feelings make for an interesting internal artistic struggle between the limitations of alternative rock music and the infinite possibilities trap and rap provide sonically. For Matty Grey, it is simply the love of creation that pulls it all together. This is evident in his first hip hop single and release from his album Grey Fever. Entitled Good Man, it is an expressive form of lyrical decompression from Grey. Well-conceived as well as giddily received by the market, Good Man was produced by Elizée Ilunga, who illustrates just one of the impressive individuals who have helped build this talented musician.

True to his philosophy is Matty Grey’s second release. The track called Circles is his first alternative/indie track. The song speaks of heartbreak and betrayal, and the repetitive cycle of a toxic relationship. Here, the mood is refreshing and far more chilled than before.

While Good Man may have been a track that got you through a hard workout, Matty Grey’s latest release, 2 tone, is a rap on a slow drive. Grey’s confidence oozes through his reflective lyrics, held up by a beat produced by Crighton Goodwill from Good Noise Production. His influences here are also apparent, ranging from J Cole, Kanye West, Earth Gang, JID, to Night Lovell. He is also an admirer of the impact independent South African artist A-Reece has had on the industry locally and internationally.

Perhaps Grey’s outlook on life and art was a consequence of his restless childhood. Born in Botswana, Grey attended boarding school in Hartebeespoort before studying design in Spain and then South Africa. Now based in Johannesburg, city living has made his heart yearn for open landscapes, which is expressed through his moody lyrics.

The mark that Matty Grey will leave in music will surely find a home – long after he himself has moved on to his next great adventure.

Listen to 2 tone here: https://youtu.be/fmAz_xiVJik