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About Mateo

Mateo was born in Cincinnati, Ohio into a musical family. His grandfather, Freddy Jordan was a jazz and session guitarist at the historic King Records where he played for the likes of James Brown, Freddie King, and Charles Brown. His grandmother was a singer who toured Canada and the northeastern United States. Mateo started singing at an early age and playing classical piano at age 5. Mateo attended Morehouse College, majoring in music and business. After graduation, Mateo moved to New York, NY where he briefly worked as a strategy consultant.

Mateo eventually moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue a career in the music industry where he met with former MTV VJ, Quddus Philippe. Quddus, who was working at MySpace Records quickly took interest and brought Mateo over to the label which signed him nearly on the spot. While on MySpace records, Mateo released a three part mixtape series entitled “Underneath the Sky”, which garnered critical acclaim. The mixtape series included features from Kardinal Offishall, Teairra Mari, Fashawn, and Shawn Chrystopher. On August 13, 2009, Mateo recorded a live EP entitled “Get To Know Me: Live at Swing House”. His video, “Get To Know Me”, from the live EP was featured by MTVU, Fuse, and Music Choice. After a year and a half stint at MySpace Records, Mateo decided to part ways with the label in 2010.

In September 2010, Mateo signed to Krucial Noise, the label imprint of Alicia Keys longtime producer and songwriting partner, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers. Kerry met Mateo through Quddus during the MySpace Records days. Mateo released his fourth mixtape “Love & Stadiums” on March 30, 2011 to critical acclaim. The mixtape serves as his first release under Krucial Noise and includes features from Goapele, Pusha T, Ab Liva, Gilbere Forte, and Kardinal Offishall.

Mateo released his debut single, “Say It’s So”, on September 21, 2011 off his upcoming EP Love & Stadiums II. The single is produced by Kerry Brothers and features additional vocals from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.