Matthew Progress is a Toronto-based emcee who combines laid-back lyrical flows with EDM. The genre, some circles call ghettotech and hip house, is recognizable by high-tempo, repetitive rhythms over the range of 120 bpm combined with rap. His latest music video for “Sip Test” put viewers into a surreal, cult-inspired world of looped bass tracks and maniacal laughter. Directed by James Michael Chiang and produced by Dan Only, the song is the latest release off Matthew Progress’ Slumber. Magic. War. EP set for release around the end of year. We are fully prepared to put on our tracksuits for Matthew Progress’ cult of ghettotech.In many ways, the style is sort of the North American response to grime that never blew up. And yet, Matthew Progress is pushing the movement. His interpretation of the genre is perfectly chill but lends itself to extended molly benders and gurn-heavy dance moves, if you’re into that. Ghettotech (or whatever you want to call it) is being pushed by other acts like Delroy Edwards, Galcher Lustwerk and 808ink, while mainstream artists Azealia Banks and even Vince Staples have incorporated elements of EDM on some newer projects. It’s a good thing.For Progress, the fusion of EDM and hip-hop is not a trend to be picked up and shed at a whim. We talked to him over an email exchange about the new video for “Sip Test,” cults and his disdain for bandwagon jumping. “I will not lose,” he intones on “Sip Test” again and again. We believe you, Matthew Progress. Watch video and read the interview below:Noisey: Describe the process of making this video.
Matthew Progress: Organic. On shoot day we came together, had drinks, and did some collective telepathy exercises. Then we just shot the treatment created by myself and the director James Michael Chiang, and enjoyed eachother's company. We tried to act like a family. You utilize a lot of house and dance elements in your music in comparison to the common sonics coming out of this city. Why?
I'm not concerned with what's common. I'm more interested in how I can innovate. I've always loved dance music, but I'm not trying to make a specific statement by using this "genre" of production, it’s just the direction i feel most inspired to move in creatively. I try and stay internally motivated as an artist, rather than bandwagon jumping. Is this video about uniformity or against it?
It's an ode to self-determined uniformity. A cult is about re-imagining society; recreating the foundations of your environment through a lens of your choosing, then finding and attracting others who wish to join you. This is my aim as a creative. The song in tandem with the video takes on a very sinister feel. Was this intentional?
Sinister is a feeling that is commonly associated with cults and communes, but it's not always justified. I don't know that the energy of this content is sinister. That's up for interpretation. I can say that wasn't the intention. The intention was to tell a specific story about a group of people. I'm hoping there is a full spectrum of "feels" that people get from watching it. You emphasize the words “I will not lose” repeatedly. Why?
In an era where half the population is releasing artistic content, it's important as an artist to understand winning and success in your own unique way, then work towards that success relentlessly. Losing is impossible that way. The line echoes that idea. When can we expect a full project?
Slumber. Magic. War, which is an EP, will be available late 2017/early 2018.Devin Pacholik is ghettotech. Follow him on Twitter.
Advertisement
Matthew Progress: Organic. On shoot day we came together, had drinks, and did some collective telepathy exercises. Then we just shot the treatment created by myself and the director James Michael Chiang, and enjoyed eachother's company. We tried to act like a family. You utilize a lot of house and dance elements in your music in comparison to the common sonics coming out of this city. Why?
I'm not concerned with what's common. I'm more interested in how I can innovate. I've always loved dance music, but I'm not trying to make a specific statement by using this "genre" of production, it’s just the direction i feel most inspired to move in creatively. I try and stay internally motivated as an artist, rather than bandwagon jumping. Is this video about uniformity or against it?
It's an ode to self-determined uniformity. A cult is about re-imagining society; recreating the foundations of your environment through a lens of your choosing, then finding and attracting others who wish to join you. This is my aim as a creative. The song in tandem with the video takes on a very sinister feel. Was this intentional?
Sinister is a feeling that is commonly associated with cults and communes, but it's not always justified. I don't know that the energy of this content is sinister. That's up for interpretation. I can say that wasn't the intention. The intention was to tell a specific story about a group of people. I'm hoping there is a full spectrum of "feels" that people get from watching it. You emphasize the words “I will not lose” repeatedly. Why?
In an era where half the population is releasing artistic content, it's important as an artist to understand winning and success in your own unique way, then work towards that success relentlessly. Losing is impossible that way. The line echoes that idea. When can we expect a full project?
Slumber. Magic. War, which is an EP, will be available late 2017/early 2018.Devin Pacholik is ghettotech. Follow him on Twitter.