Matt Champion | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).png) Champion performing in 2018 in Quebec City | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew Garrett Champion |
| Born | February 14, 1995 |
| Origin | The Woodlands, Texas |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | RCA |
| Formerly of | Brockhampton |
| Website | mattchampion |
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
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
2014–2022: Brockhampton
Champion joined Brockhampton in 2014 amidst the reorganization of AliveSinceForever into Brockhampton. Along with the rest of the group, Champion relocated to San Marcos, and later Los Angeles. The same year, Champion was featured on bandmate Kevin Abstract's debut studio album MTV1987.[3]
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.[4] Saturation was followed by Saturation II and Saturation III on August 25 and December 15, respectively.[5][6]
On May 27, 2018, shortly after the group signed to RCA Records, Ameer Vann was removed from Brockhampton amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.[7] 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.[8] It was followed by Ginger on August 23, 2019.[9]
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.[10]
On January 14, 2022, during the "Here Right Now" tour in support of the groups sixth studio album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021), the group announced the cancellation of most remaining tour dates and that the group would go on an indefinite hiatus.[11]
The final Brockhampton albums, The Family and TM, were released on November 17 and 18, respectively.[12] The latter record, which consisted of outtakes from the groups recording sessions in 2020 and 2021, was curated and executive produced by Champion.[13][14]
2024–present: 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".[15][16] "Aphid" was followed by "Slug", a "nostalgia-inducing funk and soul" track on February 28.[16] On March 3, Champion began teasing a collaboration with South Korean musician Jennie.[17] 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.[18][19]
Personal life
As of 2024, Champion is dating Canadian model and designer Tavia Bonetti.[20] Champion has starred in campaigns for Bonetti's brand, Friends With Animals.[21]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Mika's Laundry |
|
Mixtapes
| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Harley |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [22] |
NZ Hot [23] |
UK Down. [24] | |||
| "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" | — | — | — | ||
Guest appearances
| 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
| 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 |
Music Videos
| 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" |
| Title | Year | Album(s) | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "New Shoes" | 2022 | TM | Matt Champion, Onda |
| "Man on the Moon" | Matt Champion |
References
- ^ "Brockhampton "Dearly Departed" Lyrics".
- ^ "Get To Know The Members Of Brockhampton, A New Kind Of American Boy Band". The FADER. 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Larew, Tim. "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Bradley, Brent (2018-02-12). "BROCKHAMPTON 'Saturation' Cheat Code Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ SATURATION II by BROCKHAMPTON on Apple Music, 2017-08-25, retrieved 2024-03-10
- ^ "Brockhampton announces "last studio album," shares release date". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Kick Out Ameer Vann Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations". Pitchfork. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "BROCKHAMPTON's New Album Out in September". Pitchfork. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "Brockhampton Announce New Album 'Ginger' Out In August". Stereogum. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (2021-04-07). "Must-listen: The Blossom's debut '97 Blossom' EP". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (2022-01-14). "Brockhampton Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' Following Coachella Performance, Cancel Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Drop Final Album The Family: Stream". 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Curto, Justin (2022-11-18). "Brockhampton Isn't Quite Ready to Say Good-bye". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (2024-03-09). "BLACKPINK's Jennie Teams Up With Brockhampton's Matt Champion for 'Slow Motion'". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (2024-02-15). "Matt Champion returns with new solo single 'Aphid' - featuring Dijon". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ a b Sacher, Andrew. "BROCKHAMPTON's Matt Champion shares new solo single "Slug"". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Brickner-Wood, Brady (January 27, 2023). "The Model Behind the Athleisure Label Friends with Animals". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Circle Download Chart - Week 10, 2024". Circle Chart. March 3–9, 2024. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 18, 2024. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ "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.