An Interview with Matter Facts (Sam Haywood)

Facebook page for Matter Facts

Soundcloud for Matter Facts

• So Sam, you were rapping under the name of Rage for a while. This past year you changed your name to Matter Facts; care to elaborate on what your new handle is all about?
  • I needed the change because I was determined to separate myself from what I was making before. "Rage" didn't really represent the music or image I was trying to display. I knew I wanted to incorporate "Facts" in my name somehow, too. I started thinking of phrases and things frequented in rap. I picked up on matter of fact and shortened it to "Matter Facts" (MF) for short.
    
    
• So what are you trying to represent with this new image?
  • A more precise and unique sub-genre of rap, -And mainly, a sound from Richmond unlike any other.
• What motivated you to make this change (other than wanting to seperate yourself from what you were making before)?
  • Rappers like Ab-Soul and A$AP Rocky. I found A$AP at the peak of his debut and downloaded his mixtape the second it was released. It motivated me to have a different take on the music and the lyrics I was creating. That was a strange time in my life, as well. I was going through big but great changes
• You are already shaping for yourself a distinct sound, and some have even stated that you remind them of big name rappers. What is your reaction to that?
  • Well that's crazy to me. I don't agree or think I'm even close to what I'm attempting to be; I've definitely grown since I started recording in high school though. Different instruments and programs slowly improved (not that I'm very good at editing vocals). Friends, college, and my experiences in the past two years have made who I am now
    
    
    
    
    
• You started in high school, what was it that first got you interested in getting your own voice out there?
  • Honestly, I've loved rap since I little. I'm a ashamed to say, my first album was Big Willie Style (Will Smith) HahaHa. I was in the first grade. It was in seventh when I really started to get into it. Kanye's College Dropout was big, and my English Teacher would actually play a song by him every now in then (in addition to Outkast). But I got the courage to record when I was first heard Kid Cudi's mixtapes. I anticipated his first album so much. It changed my life
• What kind of support did you see from family and friends?
  • I've only recently told my parents, as in two weeks ago Ha. My friends have always supported me. I used to put my early tracks on my ipod and ask my friends in my science class what they thought. A few were on with it, a few weren't. The support isn't always there, which makes it hard.
• So what would you say is one of the most valuable lessons you have learnt so far in your career as a rapper?
  • Believe in what I make. I put my time into my lyrics every day, whether they're low or high-yikes. Confidence is everything, still need to gain more.
• What would you say to anyone else that wants to create art?
  • Open your mind to anything. There's no limitations.
• Anything else you would like to add?
  • I'm going to finish this episode of the office and get back to work. It's constant at this point.