Nova Scotia rapper Quake Matthews is riding a career-defining wave after landing a feature on the song “It’s My Ego” on the hip-hop legend Ice Cube’s latest album called “Man Up.”
“Ice Cube had a contest where he put his single out and he left a space for anyone in the world, and it was like, ‘Do your verse and I’m going to pick the best verse to be on his album,’” Matthews said in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly.
“I don’t know how many entries there were, 10,000 or something. I figured he’d probably choose someone from L.A. or his hometown,” said Matthews. “But he went with the Nova Scotian.”
Matthews says moments like this help with the doubts that come with pursuing music independently.
“There are always ups and downs and sometimes you wonder if you’re on the right path,” said Matthews. “But when things like this happen, it kind of reassures you - you’ve got something special.”
Instead of slowing down, Matthews channelled that momentum directly into new music. He recently completed work on Phantom, a dark, cinematic project inspired in part by The Phantom of the Opera. The album was produced by Grammy-winning U.S. producer StreetRunner, whose credits include Eminem, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, and features a collaboration with veteran rapper Young Buck.
“It’s my opera,” said Matthews. “It’s kind of dark and cinematic; I just feel like it’s just that emotional energy, but also that sense of urgency and that unmasking, if you will.”
This weekend, Matthews is celebrating the new album with a rare Halifax performance at The Marquee Ballroom on Saturday.
“This one feels special. There are a lot of things planned - I don’t think people will want to miss it.”
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