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Matt Champion

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Matt Champion
Champion performing in 2018 in Quebec City
Champion performing in 2018 in Quebec City
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Garrett Champion
Born (1995-02-14) February 14, 1995 (age 29)
OriginThe Woodlands, Texas
Genres
Rap
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2014–present
LabelsRCA
Formerly ofBrockhampton
Websitemattchampion.co

Matthew Garrett Champion (born February 14, 1995) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his role as a member of hip hop collective and boyband Brockhampton, with whom he released eight studio albums. His debut solo album, Mika's Laundry, was released on March 22, 2024.

Early life

[edit]

Champion was raised in The Woodlands, Texas, and is of partial Japanese American ancestry.[1] While a student at The Woodlands High School, Champion began rapping and met his future bandmates Kevin Abstract, Ameer Vann, Merlyn Wood, and Russell "Joba" Boring.[2]

Career

[edit]

2014-2022: Brockhampton

[edit]
Main article: Brockhampton (band)

Champion joined AliveSinceForever, an internet music collective, in 2014 shortly before the group reorganized into Brockhampton. Along with the rest of the group, Champion relocated to San Marcos, and later Los Angeles.

Champion contributed to the groups mixtape, All-American Trash in 2016, and later appeared on the groups breakthrough debut album Saturation, released on June 9, 2017.[3] Saturation was followed by Saturation II and Saturation III on August 25 and December 15, respectively.[4] In May 2018, Ameer Vann was removed from Brockhampton amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.[5] Shortly afterwards, the group cancelled their planned fourth studio album, and released a new record, Iridescence, on September 21. Iridesence became the group's first album to debut atop the Billboard charts.[6] It was followed by Ginger on August 23, 2019.[7] In January 2022, the group announced that they would go on an indefinite hiatus, and cancelled all remaining shows in support of the their sixth studio album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021).[8]

The final Brockhampton albums, The Family and TM, were released on November 17 and 18, respectively.[9] The latter record, which consisted of outtakes from the groups recording sessions in 2020 and 2021, was curated and executive produced by Champion.[10] [11]

2014-2021: Early solo work

[edit]

In June 2014, a nineteen year-old Champion's debut single "Die For Me" was featured by Pigeons and Planes in "5 On It", a feature highlighting underground hip-hop artists.[12] The next month, he appeared as a featured artist on bandmate Kevin Abstract's debut studio album MTV1987.[13] On December 31st, Champion released the single "Burn", featuring Memphis rapper Jon Waltz.[14] On April 6, 2015, Champion and Ameer Vann made appearances on Abstract's single "Not On DOASM 01", a cut track from Abstract's sophomore album American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, at the time titled Death of a Super Model.[15] On April 27, Champion was once again a featured artist on "Not On DOASM 02".[16] On May 11, Champion released the single "El Dorado" alongside a corresponding music video.[17]

After a nearly year-long hiatus, his next single "Punks" was released in February 2016, and was described as a refinement of the sound of his previous singles.[18] On March 23, he released the single "Salud", featuring Abstract and Michael Christmas.[19] On December 22, "Mansions" was released along with the promise of a studio album the following year.[20] On February 17th 2017, Champion's next single "Fangs" was listed by Pigeons and Planes as one of the best singles of that week.[21]

On April 6, 2021, Champion appeared as a featured artist on 97 Blossom, the debut extended play by The Blossom, released on bandmates Kevin Abstract and Romil Hemnani's record label Video Store. The EP also featured collaborations with Abstract, Hemnani, and Brockhampton producer Jabari Manwa.[22]

2024–present: Mika's Laundry

[edit]
Main article: Mika's Laundry

On February 14, Champion released his first solo work since Brockhampton's dissolution. The single "Aphid", featuring American singer Dijon, was produced by Champion and Henry Kwapis and has been described as "lush" and "melodic".[23][24] "Aphid" was followed by "Slug", a "nostalgia-inducing funk and soul" track on February 28.[24] On March 3, Champion began teasing a collaboration with South Korean rapper Jennie.[25] The resulting drum and bass song, "Slow Motion", was released on March 8 alongside the announcement of Mika's Laundry, Champion's debut solo album, released on March 22.[11][26][27]

On June 20, Champion appeared on the cover of Clash's 20th anniversary edition, titled "Kool Things".[28] On October 2, it was announced that Champion would appear in the feature film Strobe, directed by Taylor Cohen and produced by Tara Razavi, Nate Matteson, and Hiro Murai.[29] On October 18, Champion was announced as a performer at the 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.[30]

On October 24, Champion released "Faye", the first installment of a planned series of singles intended to expand upon Mika's Laundry.[31] On October 30, "Faye" was followed by "Hacker".[32] A third single, "SPJ", was released the following week.[33] On November 13, Champion released the fourth and final single, "Ash" featuring Deb Never, who had previously appeared alongside Champion on the Brockhampton album Ginger. The same day, the four singles were collected and released as part of an extended play titled Slint's Favorite.[34]

Personal life

[edit]

As of 2024, Champion is dating Canadian model and designer Tavia Bonetti.[35] Champion has starred in campaigns for Bonetti's brand, Friends With Animals.[36]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums
Title Album details
Mika's Laundry
  • Released: March 22, 2024
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download, LP

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays
Title Details
Slint's Favorite
  • Released: November 13, 2024
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and name of the album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
DL
[37] 		NZ
Hot
[38] 		UK
DL
[39]
"Die with Me" 2014 — — — Non-album singles
"Burn"
(featuring Jon Waltz) 		2015 — — —
"El Dorado" — — —
"You're Too Cool for Me" — — —
"Punks" 2016 — — —
"Salud"
(featuring Michael Christmas) 		— — —
"Mansions" — — —
"Fangs" 2017 — — —
"Aphid"
(featuring Dijon) 		2024 — — — Mika's Laundry
"Slug" — — —
"Slow Motion"
(with Jennie) 		116 28 68
"Dogfish" — — —
"Faye" — — — Slint's Favorite
"Hacker" — — —
"SPJ" — — —
"Ash"
(featuring Deb Never) 		— — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
[edit]
List of singles as a featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Not On DOASM 1"
(Kevin Abstract featuring Matt Champion and Ameer Vann) 		2015 Non-album singles
"Not On DOASM 2"
(Kevin Abstract featuring Matt Champion)

Guest appearances

[edit]
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other performer(s) Album
"Snakes" 2014 Kevin Abstract MTV1987
"Drown" 2016 Young Lungs, Cian P, Roy Contradiction
"Smoke" 2021 The Blossom 97 Blossom

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title
Role Medium
2015 Dreams Die Young Himself Short Series
2016 All-American Trash Documentary Documentary
2017 Helmet Boy Clyde Short Series
American Boyband Himself Documentary Series
Jennifer's Tour, A Live Show By Brockhampton
Billy Star Van Nuys Matt / "South Central" Crew Short Film
Saturation Himself Documentary
2018 Love Your Parents Tour Documentary Series
The Longest Summer In America Documentary
2019 Keeping The Band Himself (fictionalized depiction) Series
2021 Live from The Chapel Himself Concert film
TBA Strobe † TBA Feature film
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Music Videos

[edit]
List of music videos as Matt Champion
Title Year Album(s) Director(s)
"El Dorado" 2015 — Matt Champion, Albert Gordon, Henock Sileshi
"Aphid"
(featuring Dijon) 		2024 Mika's Laundry Anna Pollack
"Slug"
"Dogfish"
List of music videos directed
Title Year Album(s) Director(s)
"New Shoes" 2022 TM Matt Champion, Onda
"Man on the Moon" Matt Champion

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Brockhampton "Dearly Departed" Lyrics".
  2. ^ "Get To Know The Members Of Brockhampton, A New Kind Of American Boy Band". The FADER. 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  3. ^ Bradley, Brent (2018-02-12). "BROCKHAMPTON 'Saturation' Cheat Code Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  4. ^ SATURATION II by BROCKHAMPTON on Apple Music, 2017-08-25, retrieved 2024-03-10
  5. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Kick Out Ameer Vann Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations". Pitchfork. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  6. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON's New Album Out in September". Pitchfork. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  7. ^ "Brockhampton Announce New Album 'Ginger' Out In August". Stereogum. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  8. ^ Mier, Tomás (2022-01-14). "Brockhampton Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' Following Coachella Performance, Cancel Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Drop Final Album The Family: Stream". 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  10. ^ Curto, Justin (2022-11-18). "Brockhampton Isn't Quite Ready to Say Good-bye". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  11. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (2024-03-09). "BLACKPINK's Jennie Teams Up With Brockhampton's Matt Champion for 'Slow Motion'". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  12. ^ Tanners, Jon. "5 On It: A song for the summer, a love song about dying, and excellent rapping". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  13. ^ Larew, Tim. "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  14. ^ Tanners, Jon. "Premiere: Matt Champion ft. Jon Waltz - "BURN"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  15. ^ Price, Joe. "Kevin Abstract ft. Matt Champion and Ameer Vann - "NOT ON DOASM 01"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  16. ^ Graham. "Kevin Abstract ft. Matt Champion - "NOT ON DOASM 02"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  17. ^ ianservantes. "Premiere: Watch Matt Champion's "El Dorado" Video". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  18. ^ Tanners, Jon. "PREMIERE: Listen to Matt Champion's Beautifully Messy New Single "Punks"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  19. ^ Joyce. "Matt Champion Links Up With Kevin Abstract and Michael Christmas for "Salud"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  20. ^ Price, Joe. "Brockhampton's Matt Champion Returns With "Mansions"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  21. ^ Pigeons. "Best Songs of the Week (Feb 17th, 2017)". Complex. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  22. ^ Graves, Shahlin (2021-04-07). "Must-listen: The Blossom's debut '97 Blossom' EP". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  23. ^ Graves, Shahlin (2024-02-15). "Matt Champion returns with new solo single 'Aphid' - featuring Dijon". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  24. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew. "BROCKHAMPTON's Matt Champion shares new solo single "Slug"". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  25. ^ Chin, Carmen (March 4, 2024). "BLACKPINK's Jennie teases new song with Brockhampton's Matt Champion". NME. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  26. ^ Breihan, Tom (March 8, 2024). "Matt Champion (Brockhampton) & Jennie (Blackpink) – "Slow Motion"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  27. ^ Richards, Will (March 8, 2024). "Brockhampton's Matt Champion announces debut album with collaboration with BLACKPINK's Jennie". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  28. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (2024-06-20). "Matt Champion Is The Third Face Of CLASH 128 | Magazine". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2024-07-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (2024-10-02). "Chace Crawford, Laura Harrier, Suzanna Son to Star in EDM-Focused Thriller 'Strobe' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  30. ^ Strauss, Matthew (2024-10-18). "Tyler, the Creator Unveils 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival Lineup". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  31. ^ https://www.clashmusic.com/news/matt-champion-shares-new-single-faye/
  32. ^ "Matt Champion Follows Up "Faye" With "Hacker"". Hypebeast. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  33. ^ "New Music Friday Releases: Primal Scream, Tom Grennan, Perrie and more". Official Charts. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  34. ^ Graves, Shahlin (2024-11-14). "Matt Champion releases 'Slint's Favorite' EP". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  35. ^ Brickner-Wood, Brady (January 27, 2023). "The Model Behind the Athleisure Label Friends with Animals". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  36. ^ Charuza, Nikita (2021-03-10). "Meet Model Tavia Bonett: She's One to Know Thanks to Her Clothing Line, Friends With Animals". Popsugar. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  37. ^ "Circle Download Chart - Week 10, 2024". Circle Chart. March 3–9, 2024. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 18, 2024. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  39. ^ "MATT CHAMPION/JENNIE songs and albums | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
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