Aston Matthews
| A$ton Matthews | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Matthew Lopez |
| Also known as |
|
| Born |
October 30, 1989 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Yamborghini |
| Associated acts | |
| Website |
astonmatthewsmusic |
Matthew Lopez (born October 30, 1989), better known by his stage name Aston Matthews (styled as A$ton Matthews), is a Guatemalan-American rapper from Los Angeles, California.[1] Matthews is also part of the hip-hop group Cutthroat Boyz with rappers Vince Staples and Joey Fatts.[2]
Early life
Matthew Lopez was born October 30, 1989 in the city of Los Angeles, California. Born of first generation Guatemalan immigrants, Lopez spent much of his formative years between Los Angeles, Hawaiian Gardens, and Carson, California.[3] Lopez played varsity football throughout his duration of high school. It is during this time where he also became a member of Westside Carson Piru, a faction of the bloods based in Carson, California.[3] On May 31, 2008, Lopez was involved in an altercation at a house party where he was shot in his heart by a .40 caliber bullet, breaking his ribs, and tearing his stomach in the process. After making a full recovery, Lopez began to write and record songs about his life.[3]
Career
2009-11: Career beginnings and NOFVCKSGIVEN
Following his recovery, Lopez would practice writing, rapping, and recording one song a day for two years before releasing his first solo project.[4] On November 4, 2011, Lopez released "NOFVCKSGIVEN". The project was what Lopez has described as, "I'm just gonna go in on a bunch of beats, make some random crazy shit and see what the fuck happens."[1] The project also narrated the events leading up to his shooting, as well as describe it from his perspective on the song "May 31st" which also featured then rising rap artist ScHoolboy Q.[5] When he began to rap himself, Lopez primarily studied the flow and musical patterns of Eminem, and also cited Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, G-Unit, and The Diplomats as direct influence to his style, combining all with his personality to create his own individual.[3]
Prior to recording NOFVCKSGIVEN, Lopez would be introduced to Vince Staples through a mutual friend. Staples would go on to collaborate on numerous occasions with Lopez, and ultimately appear on his debut project. After the release of NOFVCKSGIVEN, Staples would introduce Lopez to A$AP Yams who admired Lopez's unique rap style and wanted to further develop him as a artist.[6]
2011-12: Cutthroat Boyz and Versace Ragz
After forming Cutthroat Boyz with rising west coast rap artist Vince Staples and Joey Fatts,[7] Yams would go on to manage Lopez and oversee his next project "Versace Ragz."[4][6] The title served as an ode to New Orleans rap legend Juvenile whom named his sophomore release Solja Rags. The project would furthermore pay tribute as the album artwork featured a hand drawn Lopez in the style of early 1990's New Orleans rap album covers made popular by Cash Money Records.
On August 4, 2012, Lopez would release Versace Ragz. The mixtape featured rising New York artists Da$h, RetcH, and Bodega Bamz, as well as Vince Staples.
On August 24, 2012, Lopez would premiere his debut music video 'Triple HHH' the video featured cameos by Staples and Fatts, making their first appearance together as Cutthroat Boyz.[8]
On November 6, 2012, Lopez released a remix to the project's lead single "Mini Van Dan" featuring A$AP Nast, Danny Brown, and Flatbush Zombies.[9]
On November 12, 2012, Lopez released an official video to "Hell in a Cell".[10]
Since Versace Ragz release, Lopez has been regarded as being a pioneer in experimental gangster rap as his subject matter reflected a mixture of gang life aswell as implemented WWE Wrestling references.[1] Lopez has often referred to himself in song as several monikers in homage to wrestlers including; Brick Flair, his most popular moniker in tribute to Ric Flair, Mini Van Dan, in tribute to Rob Van Dam, Big Poppa Pump, in tribute to Scott Steiner,[11] Eddie Guerrero's Hologram, in tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero, and Latino Heat, also in tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero.
2013-14: A$ton 3:16 and Touring
Following the success of Versace Ragz, Lopez would join A$AP Rocky on the European leg of his Live.Love.A$AP Tour in May 2013. Lopez was then announced to make a guest appearance on A$AP Ferg's debut album Trap Lord.[12] before joining Ferg on his first nationwide tour 'Turnt x Burnt' as a supporting act the following Fall.[13]
On January 16, 2013, Lopez sold out his first show at The Roxy alongside Staples and Fatts, marking the group's first performance appearance together on stage as The Cutthroat Boyz.[14]
On May 1, 2013, Lopez release an official video to "Mack 11" stating the video was his directorial debut, as well as announcing that he was currently working with producers Alchemist and Evidence (of Dilated Peoples).[1][15] In June 2013, it was announced Lopez was working on a new project entitled 'A$ton 3:16' which he would described as a departure from his former projects, "Showcasing [my] rap ability across the board."[1] In an interview with HipHopDX, Lopez described his experience with both producers as,[2]
On October 3, 2013, it was revealed Lopez would appear on the soundtrack of Grand Theft Auto V via the song 'R-Cali' alongside A$AP Rocky, and Joey Fatts.[16]
Two weeks later, on October 16, 2013, Lopez released an official video to "Like This" the video became a viral sensation garnering over 500,000 YouTube views.[17]
On December 16, 2013, Lopez releases an official video to "Free Wavy Crockett II" an official followup to "Free Wavy Crockett" off his NOFVCKSGIVEN project, both songs and video pay homage to incarcerated New York rap artist Max B whom went by the moniker 'Wavy Crockett'.[18]
On January 29, 2014, Lopez debuted a single off the project entitled 'T.L.C.' which featured Action Bronson, Flatbush Zombies, Yams, and A$AP Bari. The song is Lopez's most streamed song on Soundcloud to date, garnering over 925,000 streams.[19][20] On February 10, 2014, Lopez released an official video to "Praey", and two weeks later on February 24, 2014, released an official video to "What You Need" directed by 2015 MTV Video Music Award Director Andrew Hines, the video features a cameo by A$AP Rocky.[21][21][22]
On February 20, 2014, Yams tweeted a flyer confirming Lopez's appearance at SXSW Music Festival,[23] one month later on March 14, 2014, Yams would post footage of Lopez performing a verse over an early version of A$AP Mob's single "Hella Hoes",[24] Lopez would later perform his verse in its entirety alongside the group at SXSW's House of Vans stage sponsored by Vibe Magazine and Vans.
On March 16, 2014, Lopez released A$ton 3:16 via Soundcloud.[25] The album's title acted as an ode to WWE Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, and featured 19 songs in total. The album's cover art pays homage to Ice Cube's Death Certificate, Lopez has said in interviews his father was a Ice Cube fan and frequently played his albums growing up.[4] The album was executive produced by Yams and Chace Infinite, and featured production by Evidence, Alchemist, Jay Curry and Dj Khalil, as well as guest appearances by Action Bronson, Ab-Soul, Flatbush Zombies, A$AP Ferg, Vince Staples, and Bodega Bamz.[26]
On May 2, 2014 Lopez joined Danny Brown for the west coast dates of his OLD Tour, making his first appearance at University of California, San Diego.[27]
On July 7, 2014, Lopez released an official video to "Lit" and a month later on August 27, 2014 released an official video to "The Other Side" featuring Kap G.[28][29] Both songs have been released as non-album promotional singles.
On September 9, 2014, during an interview with XXL Magazine, Vince Staples announced Lopez would be one of two features alongside Teyana Taylor on his upcoming "Hell Can Wait" EP.[30]
One month later on December 10, 2014, Lopez appeared alongside Young Thug on Noisey's Rap Monument,[31] a 42-Minute song consisting of over 40 rappers including Raekwon, Pusha T, Nipsey Hussle, Danny Brown, and YG among others.[32] Noisey, the music division of Vice Magazine, regarded Lopez as, "West coast gangsta rap's best kept secret."[1]
2015-Present: Yams Legacy and Chapovelli
On August 28, 2015, in an interview with XXL Magazine, Lopez revealed he was with Yams the evening he passed away, stating he flew to New York to pitch himself for the 2015 XXL Freshman Class, spent time working with Yams, and ultimately witnessed his passing January 18, 2015. Lopez spoke on Yams untimely passing stating,[33]
After a near four month hiatus from social media, on April 1, 2015, Lopez released an official video to "Chapo" featuring Vince Staples. The video quickly became Lopez's most watched music video with over 690,00 YouTube views to date. In the video Lopez is seen wearing a t-shirt honoring Yams.[34]
On May 2, 2015, Lopez would return to London for the first time in over two years to perform, selling out the legendary 100 Club alongside frequent collaborator Da$h.[35] Upon his return to the United States, May 30, 2015, Lopez would go on to sell out Los Angeles' Los Globos alongside Bodega Bamz.[33]
On June 30, 2015, it was revealed Lopez would appear on Vince Staples Summertime '06 album, Lopez was praised by Complex Magazine for his guest appearance as well as being credited the "Best voice in the rap game."[36] Lopez also appeared in the music video of the album's lead single "Senorita".[37]
In Lopez's August 28, 2015 interview with XXL Magazine he explained overcoming depression following Yams passing, and announced working with New York producer Velous on his upcoming project entitled "Chapovelli." Lopez described the project's conception as,[33]
On October 19, 2015, Lopez would perform at The Novo in Los Angeles alongside Playboi Carti in part of Young Thug's Hy!£UN35 Tour. A month later on December 13, 2015, Lopez would join Vince Staples on the west coast leg of his Summertime '06 Tour.[38]
On December 21, 2015 in celebration of the life and legacy of Yams, the ASAP Mob announced Lopez would perform at the first annual Yams Day Music Festival at Terminal 5 in New York City on January 18, 2016.[39] Lopez would go on to perform at the second annual Yams Day Music Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York City the following January 18, 2017.[40]
On April 26, 2016 in part of the Wavy Wendnesday series, ASAP Mob released a remix version of 'Hella Hoes' featuring Lopez and Danny Brown in addition to the group's original verses, on Soundcloud and YouTube.[41] Lopez performed his verse three years prior at The House of Vans Stage at SXSW alongside the group, as well as on a leaked video version posted by Yams the week of the performance.[42]
On July 11, 2016 Lopez released a video to a previously unreleased song entitled 'One Time.' Released in response to the rising number of police related killings, as well sharing Lopez's first hand experiences with police brutality and its effects on his life. The video is a comprised montage of police brutality caught on tape including incidents of murder related to Mike Brown, Laquan Mcdonald, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, Noel Aguilar, Tamir Rice, Alex Nieto, and Philando Castile.[43]
On August 22, 2016 Lopez joined OG Maco's nationwide T.L.C. Tour.[44]
On October 18, 2016, Lopez debuted 'Coldest Night In Hell' the first single off his upcoming album Chapovelli.[45] Produced by Velous, the song heavily samples Ghostface Killah's 2000 song 'Mighty Healthy' and details the events of '100 Days, 100 Nights' a period of sustained gang warfare in retaliation to the death of a 27-year old man in Los Angeles in the summer of 2015.[46] On November 29, 2016 an official video was released, drawing artistic influence from Oliver Stone's cult classic 'Natural Born Killers'.[47]
On April 10, 2017, Lopez debuted 'Night To Remember' a collaboration between himself and long time collaborator Da$h on Instagram Live before properly releasing it on his Soundcloud April 11, 2017. On August 1, 2017, an official video was released.[48]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B/ HH |
FRA | |||||
| Chapovelli |
|
— | — | — | |||
Mixtapes
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| NOFVCKSGIVEN |
|
| Versace Ragz |
|
| Aston 3:16 |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US R&B |
US Rap | ||||
| "Mini Van Dan" | 2013 | — | — | — | Versace Ragz | |
| "Hell in a Cell" | — | — | — | |||
| "Mini Van Dan" (Remix) (featuring Flatbush Zombies and Danny Brown) |
— | — | — | |||
| "Like This" | 2014 | — | — | — | Aston 3:16 | |
| "Chapo" (featuring Vince Staples) |
— | — | — | |||
| "What You Need" | — | — | — | |||
| "TLC" (featuring Action Bronson and Flatbush Zombies) |
— | — | — | |||
| "TTG" (featuring Ab-Soul) |
— | — | — | |||
| "Lit" | 2015 | — | —
- |
- | Non-album singles | |
| "The Other Side" (featuring Kap G) |
— | — | ||||
| "Coldest Night in Hell" | 2016 | — | — | — | Chapovelli | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Tres Puntos" | 2012 | Bodega Bamz | Strictly For My P.A.P.I.Z. |
| "Sweet Chin Symphony" | Retch | Delinquents & Degenerates | |
| "TanGerine" | 2013 | Chuck Inglish, Kash Flow da God | Droptops |
| "Everything a Go" | Joey Fatts | Chipper Jones Vol. 2 | |
| "Fuck Out My Face" | ASAP Ferg, B-Real, Onyx | Trap Lord | |
| "R-Cali" | ASAP Rocky, Joey Fatts | Grand Theft Auto V Soundtrack | |
| "In My Mind" | Raven Sorvino, Mike G, Maxo Kream | Queen of HeArts | |
| "With My Soul" | 2014 | The Alchemist, Budgie, Action Bronson, J Rocc | The Good Book |
| "AWOL Radio Volume Won" | Statik Selektah | AWOL Radio Volume Won | |
| "3:16" | Smoke DZA, 183rd | Ringside 2 | |
| "Westside" | Boogie | Thirst 48 | |
| "Paradise" | Joey Fatts, Waka Flocka Flame | Chipper Jones Vol. 3 | |
| "Screen Door" | Vince Staples | Hell Can Wait | |
| "The Man" | Les | Steak X Shrimp, Vol. 1 | |
| "Invoice" | 2015 | Bodega Bamz | Sidewalk Exec |
| "Hang N' Bang" | Vince Staples | Summertime '06 | |
| "Shark Tank" | Dash, Sha Hef | 17 More Minutes | |
| "Chemdream" | 2016 | Chuck Inglish, Blended Babies | Ev Zeppelin |
| "Hella Hoes" (Remix) | ASAP Mob, ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Nast, ASAP Twelvyy, Danny Brown | N/A | |
| "Double Tap" | 2017 | Madchild, Fashawn | The Darkest Hour |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | A$ton Matthews | XXL Freshman | Nominated |
| 2017 |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Meet A$ton Matthews, West Coast Gangster Rap's Best Kept Secret | NOISEY". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
- 1 2 http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "A$ton Matthews Anticipates Displaying His Versatility With "A$ton 3:16"". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
- 1 2 3 4 Montes, Patrick (2013-09-17). "After Almost Dying, Aston Matthews Became a Rapper". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- 1 2 3 http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "A$ton Matthews Anticipates Displaying His Versatility With "A$ton 3:16"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ FeelKrooKed (2011-11-14), A$ton Matthews (Ft. Schoolboy Q) - May 31st, retrieved 2017-05-29
- 1 2 http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "A$AP Ferg On A$AP Yams: He's Very Much Still Alive To Me". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Caramanica, Jon (2013-01-25). "ASAP Yams, Partner to Hip-Hop’s ASAP Rocky". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Brick Flair (2012-08-24), A$ton Matthews - Triple HHH (Official Music Video), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ Meka. "A$ton Matthews – Mini Van Dan (rmx) f. Danny Brown, A$AP Nast & Flatbush ZOMBiES". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Blowhiphoptv (2012-11-12), ASTON MATTHEWS "HELL IN A CELL" (Official Video), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "Listen to A$ton Matthews Shout Out "Scott Steiner" in New Song". Complex. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ "Here's the Tracklist for A$AP Ferg's "Trap Lord" Album". Complex. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ↑ "A$AP Ferg and A$AP Mob Plot "Turnt x Burnt" Tour | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Brock Fetch (2013-01-20), Vince Staples, Joey Fatts, and Aston Matthews Live at The Roxy, retrieved 2017-06-01
- ↑ Brick Flair (2013-05-01), A$ton Matthews - Mack 11, retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ Metro.co.uk, Metro Music Reporter for (2013-10-03). "Rockstar reveals definitive GTA 5 radio station song list". Metro. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Brick Flair (2013-10-16), A$ton Matthews - Like This (Prod By Joey Fatts), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ Blowhiphoptv (2013-12-16), A$TON MATTHEWS "FREE WAVY CROCKETT II" (Music Video), retrieved 2017-06-01
- ↑ "A$ton Matthews Shares Some "TLC" Alongside Action Bronson and Flatbush Zombies". Complex. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ TLC (Feat. Action Bronson, Flatbush Zombies, Yams & Bari)(Produced by. V.Don), retrieved 2017-05-29
- 1 2 Brick Flair (2014-02-24), A$ton Matthews - What You Need (Prod by Jay Curry), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ Brick Flair (2014-02-10), A$ton Matthews - PRÆY (Prod By Joey Fatts), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "...... on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ xXKnightXx (2014-03-14), A$AP MOB - Hella Hoes (Feat. A$AP Rocky, A$AP Nast, A$AP Twelvyy, A$AP Ferg & A$ton Matthews), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "ASTON 3:16". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ "Listen to A$ton Matthews' New Mixtape "A$ton 3:16"". Complex. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ "The Old Danny Brown Tour - Spring Dates - Danny Brown - Bruiser Brigade, Detroit, MI.". Danny Brown. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
- ↑ Cutthroat Records (2014-08-27), A$ton Matthews ft. Kap G - The Other Side, retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ Cutthroat Records (2014-07-07), A$ton Matthews - LIT (Official Video), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "Vince Staples’ EP ‘Hell Can Wait’ Will Feature Aston Matthews And Teyana Taylor - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Noisey (2014-12-18), The Rap Monument (Full Length), retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "The Rap Monument, Vol. 7 - Young Thug and Aston Matthews". Noisey. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- 1 2 3 "After An Up and Down Year, Aston Matthews Is Getting Back To the Music - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
- ↑ Brick Flair (2015-04-01), A$ton Matthews CHAPO FT. Vince Staples, retrieved 2017-05-29
- ↑ "LICENSE 2 TRILL". LICENSE 2 TRILL. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "Review: With His Startling Debut Vince Staple Proves Kendrick Isn't the Only L.A. Rapper Making Classic Material". Complex. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ↑ "Señorita - Vince Staples". VEVO. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "Instagram post by A$ton Matthews • Dec 19, 2015 at 10:30pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "A$AP MOB Announces First Annual "Yams Day" in New York City". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "Instagram post by A$ton Matthews • Jan 18, 2017 at 3:08am UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ A$AP MOB X ASTON MATTHEWS X DANNY BROWN - HELLA HOES REMIX, retrieved 2017-06-01
- ↑ xXKnightXx (2014-03-14), A$AP MOB - Hella Hoes (Feat. A$AP Rocky, A$AP Nast, A$AP Twelvyy, A$AP Ferg & A$ton Matthews), retrieved 2017-06-01
- ↑ Brick Flair (2016-07-11), A$ton Matthews - One Time (Prod. J.LBS), retrieved 2017-06-01
- ↑ #OGMACO3 (2016-08-22). "TABLES+LADDERS+CHAIRS W/ @INSOMNIACLAMBS @astonmatthewspic.twitter.com/RLiF36p92b". @OGMaco. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "L.A. Is Dark And Hell Is Cold On New A$ton Matthews Track". The FADER. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ "100 days, 100 nights: How LAPD is dealing with rumors, gangs and fear - The Homicide Report". homicide.latimes.com. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
- ↑ Brick Flair (2016-11-29), A$TON MATTHEWS - COLDEST NIGHT IN HELL, retrieved 2017-06-02
- ↑ A$ton Matthews (Ft. Da$H) – NIGHT TO REMEMBER, retrieved 2017-08-02