Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Matters.
Jamal , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Jamaal Matters. In 2023 I began my journey as a professional emcee. I’m a hip-hop artist and videographer for Dope Oasis films who has built a buzz and solidified my spot in the NC music scene. Over the past 3 years I have performed countless live shows all over NC and Virginia. I’ve done radio interviews at Raleigh’s Choice FM, Performed live on UNCG college radio and Duke university radio. I have several songs in rotation at WXIR FM in Rochester NY and Saint-Étienne France. By creating hundreds of content videos consistently, I was able to get many opportunities like live performances, features, and paid gigs. My album penmanship was recognized as one of the best hip hop albums of 2025 by legendary emcee Tab one from the group Kooley high and music promoter Tavaron Marshall of Houston Texas. Summer of 2026 I plan to release my 4th project titled New Rap City 2. It will be a full album with 12 to 13 songs. New Rap city 1 was an Ep that released in May of 2024. The concept of New Rap City 2 is based on the Bet music video show titled “Rap city”. The highly anticipated album will include legendary NC features like EMG artist Shyst Vader, Kooley high’s Tab-one and NC’s own Madison Jay to name a few. There is a surprise feature in the works for all of my underground hip-hop fans. I’m working to get the album out as soon as possible. This album has been the toughest one so far because getting the features can sometimes take a while. I’ve always been a huge fan of nostalgia and I truly missed the show and its major impact on the culture. I decided to create my own version of Rap city and give people that feeling that they’ve been missing for so long in hip hop. In the underground specifically, alot of the songs focus on the drumless sound but we decided to do the opposite and bring drums to the forefront again. I feel that there’s alot of gritty hiphop but it lacks soul, groove, and energy. Me and my team bring it all to the table.The album will be produced by A.R.T and hosted by Dj Perry paper. I’ll be performing live at Rumah Raleigh on June 20th for the Poesar tour with Cesar Comanche and Poe Mack’s US tour. September 11th 2026 i’ll be live in Philadelphia for the Wordsmith show.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been easy but it has been a fun journey overall. Along the way I’ve endured the frustration of investing a lot of time,energy, and money into my music with little monetary return. I truly love being an artist because despite the losses that I have taken, I remain hungry for more. What I haven’t gotten back in dollars, I have surely earned in respect, valuable relationship’s, opportunities, and support from my community. Like i said in my song Green and gold “If I had to do it over wouldn’t change a thing”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an emcee, wordsmith. and artist. I specialize in crafting immaculate rhymes that are witty, clever, and paint a visual picture for the listener. What set’s me apart from other’s is my ability to engineer my own music, direct and edit my own visuals. My live show is equipped with the best hype man/ producer and Dj in the city. Come to my live show and you’ll get a concert experience. My voice is unique and has a strong presence on the beat that demands the listeners ear. I’m proud of all of the work that I’ve done over the past 3 years that got me recognized by my peers as one of the hardest working artists in NC.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love everything about my city especially the Morgan Street Food hall downtown Raleigh. Ya’ll should eat there asap!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6HMAHrmsvhEjnao8QHuOEY
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamaalmatters/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamaalmattersmusic
- Distrokid: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/
