dj matt robinson

Gil Scott Heron

DJ MATT — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:27:07 +0000

I still am having a hard time with the passing of Gil Scott Heron. He spoke to me and millions of others over the years with the feeling of family. He reminded me of that really gifted and cool Uncle that would say a few words over the Holiday dinner table that would squash all the silly beef. The deep one. But the deep ones sometimes have the deepest issues. And Gil Scott battled with his for many a year. Drugs caught him out there, I don’t know exactly what his poison was, but for the man who wrote and performed “The Bottle”. He was keenly aware of his demons.
Ma Dukes told me that Gil was a family friend when I was a kid and I was once in the car when she drove him to the train station. I was like dayum! Now you tell me? I don’t really remember the incident but it helps explain the familiarity.
There’s nothing like a hero. One who can stand up to massive odds and still come through. A few years back I was taking Saul Williams to the airport and he told me Gil Scott made a new record and he thought it was dope. Saul ain’t no lightweight when it comes to Lyrics and Sound so I was amazed to hear that the man most had written off to his addictions was on the scene making the “chin rubbers” say well aight! So I rushed it. Made it the Next Move. I got my mind blown, played it all the time. Tried to drop it at the club some times but it was to deep for the majority of weekend kiddies dying for the latest Hip Pop hit. The tune that caught me the most was “I’m new here”. I related to that one for real. If you get a chance, scope it. If you heard it already, play it again, like I am now. A worthy treat from a hero of sound.

Life is a Cabaret…

DJ MATT — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:00:57 +0000

My friend Cole is a genius. One day she came over the crib so she could breakdown this idea of a cabaret on me. She had a vision and asked me to play her a few things that she could drop in the cabaret and asked if I would DJ it. I’m always one for a new experience so we started moving forward on it. A couple of months later we dropped it live at Perch and I was blown away. Turning her vision into that performance was really cool to see. In the beginning I offered tracks by Johnny Hallyday, Brigitte Bardot, Barry White, Louis Armstrong… She scoped it, liked some of them and put it in effect. It only ran for a few weekends but I must say it was hot while it lasted. A toast to the boogie, I’ll funk to that, Bottoms up!

We lost the groove leader… Don Cornelius RIP…

DJ MATT — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:44:27 +0000

A couple years back I dj’d a party celebrating Nicole Avant becoming Ambassador to the Bahamas. Nicole’s Father is Clarence Avant. The undisputed Godfather of Black Music. So all the heavy hitters were out to show love. In walked Quincy Jones who I used to work for and right behind him was DC. Don Cornelius. The Man. I grew up in this game and celebrity sightings (and outside of my sports heroes Dr J. Ali etc…) really don’t mean much to me. But Don Cornelius was so much more than a Celebrity, He showed us how to dance, the new fashions, and the ever changing styles of black music. I remember when Elton John performed Benny and the Jets on Soul Train and a lot of folks thought Don Sold out by letting a white performer come on the show. But what ever your opinion of that move was, that song was dope and the kids got INTO it. As did I.
And I’ll NEVER forget Fishbone rock shocking the house. So here I am playing music for Don Cornelius. And that’s all I was doing. Wasn’t tinking about anybody else…I wanted him to come over give me a pound a say an iconic Soul Train phrase to me, never happened but the next best thing did. An hour or so into the gig I started playing a few hits for the youngins in the crowd and my Mom who was a guest came up and said nonchalantly, “Don wants to meet you”. I froze like I forgot my jacket, but somehow followed her over to The Don. I was actually, really trembling. Mom said that he said to her that the DJ was “doing his thing” (iconic enough for me!), to which she replied that’s my boy, let me go get him… There I stood in front of this cultural giant as he said the words I’ll never forget. “Man, what you know ’bout Joe Tex?” I had played “skinny Legs and all” 45 mins earlier and it must of hit him good. I told him I learned from the best and thanked him. He introduced me to his son. We talked about parenthood and music and I said peace and got back on the decks… A high honor. I’ll miss him dearly.

East Coast Love!

DJ MATT — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:03:53 +0000

I spent an incredible 8 days in Montauk, NYC, Philly and Bucks County PA. Luckily I got a gig in Montauk that afforded me to take a vacation. The last time I took a week off was last year when I got to DJ the opening night of The Maui Film Festival. I was salty when I didn’t get the gig this year cause I served them well! But they hired a local cat to help to keep the loot on the rock so I understood. This years vacation gig was supposed to be the Soul Beach Party in Aruba, but they came late with the offer and my OG Funky Reggae partner swooped in. The ole playboy Sean McPherson got married! On the cliff in Montauk NY on a warm and beautiful night, we set it on fire! I stayed out there for a few days to chill out and enjoy the nature. It’s definitely a magic spot. I split from there to hit Brooklyn. I totally forgot how much I love that planet! I stayed at my man Neil Ross’ crib. His wife Marci and angel of a son Hugo had me smiling 24/7. Had an incredible night in Soho at Ms Lily’s. Serge Becker’s new Jamaican spot. It was so dope! I wish we had a spot like that in LA. Fab Five Freddy joined us. I was mad that I wasn’t able to be in the city longer. His art show was last night and I heard it was outta control! Jay-z, Puff, Kanye and a gang of heads came out to support. Well deserved! Also at our table was The Supreme Yogini Kiki Flynn. She was my old Yoga teacher when I first started. Very few shine brighter. Alexis Johnson (the marrying kind) graced us also. The interior of this spot was just way too fly. I thought I was at an authentic Jamaican sound clash. To top it off was the dj queen Belinda who dropped Gem after Gem. It was an amazing night for me. I had a business meeting with a cat named Daniel Delson. He opened up my head to some fly possibilities and I am honored that he took the time to see me. I spent the next few days in Philly with friends and family but the key connect was dropping in on my cousin Charles Lomax’s 50th B-day surprise party. He was so open and he had hella crew with him from all over to show love. That’s my man since we were five years old!

I got back to town Sunday night, and shot an episode of Global Soul TV on Monday night with Mad Max Perlich! Y’all gotta see it! Pure genius. He never let’s up! The following night I spun an E3 party that Ice T and BodyCount played at for the future release of Gears of War 3! Ice was talking mad shit as always but it was good to see him and his long time manager Jorge Hinajosa. Ice’s wife? Y’all know the deal…

Eat your Beans and Rice!

Peace
Matt

Hello world!

DJ MATT — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:29:37 +0000

Hey y’all!
Here’s my new website. Hooked up by the one and only Roberto! Soooo much Gratitude! Thank you my Homey! Yes, things were getting a bit hectic in Cyber World. There’s a lot going on in my world so hopefully this site makes it simpler to enter. We are still working out a few kinks but over all it’s Good!!!

Peace and Love,
Matt

Blogs rolling in soon!