Matt Ó, Irish R&B artist One half of alternative hip-hop duo Tebi Rex, has released his debut EP, Messer. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about his new EP, he says, "When I was 12, my teacher gave us a writing exercise. Anything we wanted. I knew he loved history. I knew I didn't. Still, I went for it, and I wrote an absolute piece of garbage for him.
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"His words, not mine. He said, `I can tell that you wrote this because you thought I'd like it. Instead, you should write about what you know - not what you think others are interested in. That's where you get something special, where you find the best art'.
"That's what this tape is to me. It's what I know myself. I'm soft, I'm unassuming, I'm grateful, I'm cheeky, I'm romantic, I'm sad, I'm anxious at times and at other times entirely confident in who I am and what I can do."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a hip-hop/ RnB artist by night and I work in tech by day. I also co-run a clothing brand called Forever Worldwide. I've been releasing music since 2016 with Irish Hip Hop group, Tebi Rex - but just released my first ever solo EP entitled Messer last week. (The band isn't over, I'm just greedy). Is Gaeilgeoir mé.
How would you describe your music?
A mix between chill, fun, and sincere. I try to write about what I know, to keep things as authentic as possible and often it comes out either very silly or very down to earth, and I kinda like that dichotomy - keeps it interesting. One moment I'm talking about wanting to fall off the edge of the planet, the next I'm slandering Justin Timberlake for the pure sport of it. More on him later.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I was really into Chance the Rapper, Noname, and Childish Gambino when I first started making music properly in 2015, and that really shaped my style as a hip hop artist going forward. Any artist that makes lyric-heavy songs and writes in an almost-poetry-style is what I love the most. You can see that in my work under Tebi Rex.
As a solo artist I'm more inspired by Frank Ocean's honesty, and the different lenses through which he picks to write his music. Other artists like Saba, Mac Miller, Dominic Fike, Kevin Abstract and Loyle Carner all inspired me to write this latest EP - even though it doesn't sound anything like them. Although that could be just my opinion, I could never drop myself anywhere near their realm - these artists are Gods to me. In like, a healthy way, I think.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My first proper gig I went to was when The Coronas played The Olympia back in 2010 - around Christmas time. I remember it well, it was full of ups and downs, lemme tell ya. It was the first time I got served cans, which was a very exciting moment on my road to manhood. We had what we could and buried the rest in the snow. They ended up getting robbed but hey, easy come easy go. Miracle Bell kicked off the night and they were unreal, an excellent support choice. The headline act took the stage and it ALL KICKED OFF.
The power cut out. The whole venue plummeted into darkness. Instead of ending the gig though, the band threw flashlight torches into the crowd and finished off the show with an acoustic set under torch lights. It was honestly such a magical moment for an adolescent Matt's first gig; and it didn't end there.
What was the first record you ever bought?
My first album was Usher - 8701. A true RnB classic, and one of the greatest RnB albums of all time no question. I still listen to it regularly and pretend I'm heartbrokenly knee-sliding in the rain. My first single? Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body.
What's your favourite song right now?
Lausse the Cat - Redstripe Rhapsody. I'm sorry but sampling Tyler AND Drake in the same song (Passionfruit and Mr Lonely/911), and making it completely your own? That's pure cinema. The story telling, the instrumental, the laidback delivery? This is UK rap at its peak. Hands down my song of the summer every year, any time I step on a skateboard this is the first song I put on. All hail Lausse the Cat, without a release since 2018 - we pray for your return.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I always appreciate when a writer can make you emotional about a scenario you have never been in. As a white fella from the Irish countryside, it goes without saying that I haven't a clue what growing up in southside Chicago is like, but Chance The Rapper does a great job of exposing that world to the listener. Some of these lines are really hard hitting, and pretty tough to swallow. Stuff that would rattle someone who's never so much as held a firearm with phrases like "down here it's easier to find a gun than it is to find a parking spot" and in particular, he describes how summer isn't lived and enjoyed in his town; it's survived:
"It just got warm out, this the s*** I've been warned 'bout, I hope that it storm in the mornin', I hope that it's pourin' out. I hate crowded beaches, I hate the sound of fireworks. And I ponder what's worse? Between knowing it's over and dyin' first. 'Cause everybody dies in the summer, Wanna say your goodbyes, tell them while it's spring".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I think Saba - Stay Right Here. The instrumentation, melodies, and different feature deliveries all just rub my brain the right way - if that makes sense? Like, I think it's a perfect song. It has a lot of beauty to it. Saba nails the verses on a flow that suits this song perfectly, his guest artists selection is absolutely immaculate as well. Xavier Omär has this angelic, massively uplifting chorus, which I personally think is an excellent shower ballad. Then Mick Jenkins comes in with a lower-range, more laid back presence to wind us right down before one more soulful chorus. Absolute class.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Usual places . . . Tinder, Bumble, Grindr. I jest. Search for Matt Ó or Tebi Rex wherever you get music. For socials, grab me on ig at @mattofada/@tebirexofficial, Twitter as @tebirex and TikTok as @matt_o. Big love!!
