Matt Champion
{{Short description|American rapper and singer (born 1995)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Matt Champion
| image = FEQ July 2018 Brockhampton (44108123424) (cropped).png
| caption = Champion performing in 2018 in Quebec City
| birth_name = Matthew Garrett Champion
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|2|14}}
| origin = The Woodlands, Texas
| genre = {{flatlist|Rap
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = RCA
| current_member_of =
| past_member_of = Brockhampton
| website = {{URL|https://mattchampion.co}}
}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Brockhampton "Dearly Departed" Lyrics |url=https://genius.com/17878751}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-12 |title=Get To Know The Members Of Brockhampton, A New Kind Of American Boy Band |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/13/brockhampton-members-kevin-abstract-interview-saturation |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}}
Career
= 2014-2022: Brockhampton =
{{main|Brockhampton (band)}}
Champion joined AliveSinceForever, an internet music collective, in 2014 shortly before the group reorganized into Brockhampton. Along with the rest of the group, Champion relocated to San Marcos, and later Los Angeles.
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.{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Brent |date=2018-02-12 |title=BROCKHAMPTON 'Saturation' Cheat Code Album Review |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-06-09-brockhampton-saturation-album-review |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=DJBooth |language=en}} Saturation was followed by Saturation II and Saturation III on August 25 and December 15, respectively.{{Citation |title=SATURATION II by BROCKHAMPTON on Apple Music |date=2017-08-25 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/saturation-ii/1273819126 |access-date=2024-03-10 |language=en-US}} In May 2018, Ameer Vann was removed from Brockhampton amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-27 |title=BROCKHAMPTON Kick Out Ameer Vann Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/brockhampton-kick-out-ameer-vann-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-27 |title=BROCKHAMPTON’s New Album Out in September |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/brockhamptons-new-album-out-in-september/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} It was followed by Ginger on August 23, 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-18 |title=Brockhampton Announce New Album 'Ginger' Out In August |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2051693/brockhampton-new-album-ginger-august-2019/news/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} In January 2022, the group announced that they would go on an indefinite hiatus, and cancelled all remaining shows in support of their sixth studio album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021).{{Cite web |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=2022-01-14 |title=Brockhampton Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' Following Coachella Performance, Cancel Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brockhampton-announces-indefinite-hiatus-1284472/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}
The final Brockhampton albums, The Family and TM, were released on November 17 and 18, respectively.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=BROCKHAMPTON Drop Final Album The Family: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2022/11/brockhampton-final-album-the-family-stream/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |language=en-US}} The latter record, which consisted of outtakes from the groups recording sessions in 2020 and 2021, was curated and executive produced by Champion.{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=2022-11-18 |title=Brockhampton Isn’t Quite Ready to Say Good-bye |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/11/brockhampton-tm-album-the-family.html |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Vulture |language=en}} {{Cite web |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2024-03-09 |title=BLACKPINK’s Jennie Teams Up With Brockhampton’s Matt Champion for ‘Slow Motion’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/blackpink-jennie-brockhampton-matt-champion-slow-motion-1235628747/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}
= 2014-2021: Early solo work =
In June 2014, a nineteen year-old Champion's debut single "Die For Me" was featured by Pigeons and Planes in "5 On It", a feature highlighting underground hip-hop artists.{{Cite web |last=Tanners |first=Jon |title=5 On It: A song for the summer, a love song about dying, and excellent rapping |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/jon-tanners/5-on-it-song-for-summer |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} The next month, he appeared as a featured artist on bandmate Kevin Abstract's debut studio album MTV1987.{{Cite web |last=Larew |first=Tim |title=Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/tim-larew/stream-kevin-abstracts-free-album-mtv1987 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On December 31st, Champion released the single "Burn", featuring Memphis rapper Jon Waltz.{{Cite web |last=Tanners |first=Jon |title=Premiere: Matt Champion ft. Jon Waltz - "BURN" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/jon-tanners/premiere-matt-champion-ft-jon-waltz-burn |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On April 6, 2015, Champion and Ameer Vann made appearances on Abstract's single "Not On DOASM 01", a cut track from Abstract's sophomore album American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, at the time titled Death of a Super Model.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |title=Kevin Abstract ft. Matt Champion and Ameer Vann - "NOT ON DOASM 01" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/backwoodsaltar/kevin-abstract-ft-matt-champion-and-ameer-vann-not-on-doasm-01 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On April 27, Champion was once again a featured artist on "Not On DOASM 02".{{Cite web |last=Graham |title=Kevin Abstract ft. Matt Champion - "NOT ON DOASM 02" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/crax/kevin-abstract-matt-champion-not-on-doasm-02 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On May 11, Champion released the single "El Dorado" alongside a corresponding music video.{{Cite web |last=ianservantes |title=Premiere: Watch Matt Champion's "El Dorado" Video |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/ian-servantes/matt-champion-new-video-premiere-el-dorado |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}
After a nearly year-long hiatus, his next single "Punks" was released in February 2016, and was described as a refinement of the sound of his previous singles.{{Cite web |last=Tanners |first=Jon |title=PREMIERE: Listen to Matt Champion's Beautifully Messy New Single "Punks" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/jon-tanners/premiere-listen-to-matt-champions-beautifully-messy-new-single-punks |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On March 23, he released the single "Salud", featuring Abstract and Michael Christmas.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |title=Matt Champion Links Up With Kevin Abstract and Michael Christmas for "Salud" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/joyce/matt-champion-ft-kevin-abstract-michael-christmas-salud |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On December 22, "Mansions" was released along with the promise of a studio album the following year.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |title=Brockhampton's Matt Champion Returns With "Mansions" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/backwoodsaltar/matt-champion-mansion |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} On February 17th 2017, Champion's next single "Fangs" was listed by Pigeons and Planes as one of the best singles of that week.{{Cite web |last=Pigeons |title=Best Songs of the Week (Feb 17th, 2017) |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/pigeons/best-songs-of-the-week-feb-17-2017 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Shahlin |date=2021-04-07 |title=Must-listen: The Blossom's debut '97 Blossom' EP. |url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/the-blossom/17515 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Coup De Main Magazine |language=en}}
= 2024–present: ''Mika's Laundry'' =
{{main|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".{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Shahlin |date=2024-02-15 |title=Matt Champion returns with new solo single 'Aphid' - featuring Dijon. |url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/matt-champion/19588 |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Coup De Main Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=BROCKHAMPTON's Matt Champion shares new solo single "Slug" |url=https://www.altpress.com/matt-champion-slug-video-watch/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en-US}} "Aphid" was followed by "Slug", a "nostalgia-inducing funk and soul" track on February 28. On March 3, Champion began teasing a collaboration with South Korean rapper Jennie.{{cite web |last=Chin |first=Carmen |date=March 4, 2024 |title=BLACKPINK's Jennie teases new song with Brockhampton's Matt Champion |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/blackpink-jennie-tease-new-song-brockhampton-matt-champion-3596189 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304080030/https://www.nme.com/news/music/blackpink-jennie-tease-new-song-brockhampton-matt-champion-3596189 |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=NME}} 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.{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=March 8, 2024 |title=Matt Champion (Brockhampton) & Jennie (Blackpink) – "Slow Motion" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2254922/matt-champion-brockhampton-jennie-blackpink-slow-motion/music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308174302/https://www.stereogum.com/2254922/matt-champion-brockhampton-jennie-blackpink-slow-motion/music/ |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |website=Stereogum}}{{cite magazine |last=Richards |first=Will |date=March 8, 2024 |title=Brockhampton's Matt Champion announces debut album with collaboration with BLACKPINK's Jennie |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/brockhamptons-matt-champion-announces-debut-album-with-collaboration-with-blackpinks-jennie-37465/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308174056/https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/brockhamptons-matt-champion-announces-debut-album-with-collaboration-with-blackpinks-jennie-37465/ |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
On June 20, Champion appeared on the cover of Clash's 20th anniversary edition, titled "Kool Things".{{Cite web |last=Interviews |first=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & |last2=ClashMusic |date=2024-06-20 |title=Matt Champion Is The Third Face Of CLASH 128 {{!}} Magazine |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/magazine/matt-champion-is-the-third-face-of-clash-128/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}} On October 2, it was announced that Champion would appear in the feature film Strobe, directed by Taylor Cohen and produced by Tara Razavi, Nate Matteson, and Hiro Murai.{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=2024-10-02 |title=Chace Crawford, Laura Harrier, Suzanna Son to Star in EDM-Focused Thriller ‘Strobe’ (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/strobe-suzanna-son-chace-crawford-edm-1236022548/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} On October 18, Champion was announced as a performer at the 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2024-10-18 |title=Tyler, the Creator Unveils 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival Lineup |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/tyler-the-creator-unveils-2024-camp-flog-gnaw-carnival-lineup/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
On October 24, Champion released "Faye", the first installment of a planned series of singles intended to expand upon Mika's Laundry. https://www.clashmusic.com/news/matt-champion-shares-new-single-faye/ On October 30, "Faye" was followed by "Hacker".{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Matt Champion Follows Up "Faye" With "Hacker" |url=https://hypebeast.com/uk/2024/10/matt-champion-hacker-single-stream |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Hypebeast}} A third single, "SPJ", was released the following week.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=New Music Friday Releases: Primal Scream, Tom Grennan, Perrie and more |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/new-music-friday-songs-albums-november-8th-2024/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Official Charts |language=en}} On November 13, Champion released the fourth and final single, "Ash" featuring Deb Never, who had previously appeared alongside Champion on the Brockhampton album Ginger. The same day, the four singles were collected and released as part of an extended play titled Slint's Favorite.{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Shahlin |date=2024-11-14 |title=Matt Champion releases 'Slint’s Favorite' EP. |url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/matt-champion/19910 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Coup De Main Magazine |language=en}}
Personal life
As of February 2025, Champion is engaged to Canadian model and designer Tavia Bonetti.{{Cite web |last=Brickner-Wood |first=Brady |date=January 27, 2023 |title=The Model Behind the Athleisure Label Friends with Animals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/style/tavia-bonetti-friends-with-animals.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} Champion has starred in campaigns for Bonetti's brand, Friends With Animals.{{Cite web |last=Charuza |first=Nikita |date=2021-03-10 |title=Meet Model Tavia Bonett: She's One to Know Thanks to Her Clothing Line, Friends With Animals |url=https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/friends-with-animals-clothing-brand-48208773 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Popsugar |language=en}} As of 2025, the couple has relocated from Los Angeles to Seoul.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Tavia Bonetti & Matt Champion's New Chapter in Seoul |url=https://officemagazine.net/tavia-bonetti-matt-champions-new-chapter-seoul |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Office Magazine |language=en}} Champion has a tattoo on his wrist of the number eleven, a reference to the character of the same name from the television series Stranger Things.{{Cite web |last=Riddell |first=Rose |date=2018-04-24 |title=Brockhampton’s Matt Champion has a 'Stranger Things' tattoo. |url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/brockhampton/14236 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Coup De Main Magazine |language=en}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of studio albums ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Album details |
| scope="row" |Mika's Laundry
|
|
|---|
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of extended plays ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Details |
| scope="row" |Slint's Favorite
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and name of the album ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;" | KOR DL {{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=10&hitYear=2024&termGbn=week&yearTime=3|title=Circle Download Chart - Week 10, 2024|date=March 3–9, 2024|website=Circle Chart|access-date=March 14, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314033915/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=10&hitYear=2024&termGbn=week&yearTime=3|url-status=live}} ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;"| NZ ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;" | UK |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Die with Me"
|2014 | — || — || — |rowspan="8" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" |"Burn" {{small|(featuring Jon Waltz)}} | rowspan="3" |2015 | — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"El Dorado"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"You're Too Cool for Me"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Punks"
| rowspan="3" |2016 | — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Salud" {{small|(featuring Michael Christmas)}} | — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Mansions"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Fangs"
|2017 | — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Aphid" {{small|(featuring Dijon)}} | rowspan="8" |2024 | — || — || — | rowspan="4" |Mika's Laundry |
| scope="row" |"Slug"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Slow Motion" {{small|(with Jennie)}} | 116 || 28 || 68 |
| scope="row" |"Dogfish"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Faye"
| — || — || — | rowspan="4" |Slint's Favorite |
| scope="row" |"Hacker"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"SPJ"
| — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Ash" {{small|(featuring Deb Never)}} | — || — || — |
| colspan="11" style="font-size:85%" | "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as a featured artist, showing year released and album name !Title !Year !Album |
| scope="row" |"Not On DOASM 1" {{Small|(Kevin Abstract featuring Matt Champion and Ameer Vann)}} | rowspan="2" |2015 | rowspan="2" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Not On DOASM 2" {{Small|(Kevin Abstract featuring Matt Champion)}} |
= Guest appearances =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Other performer(s) ! scope="col" |Album |
| scope="row" |"Snakes"
|2014 |Kevin Abstract |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Drown"
|2016 |Young Lungs, Cian P, Roy |Contradiction |
| scope="row" |"Smoke"
|2021 |The Blossom |97 Blossom |
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Title |
| Role
!Medium |
|---|
| 2015
|Dreams Die Young | rowspan="2" |Himself |Short Series |
| 2016
|All-American Trash Documentary |Documentary |
| rowspan="5" |2017
|Helmet Boy |Clyde |Short Series |
| American Boyband
| rowspan="2" |Himself | rowspan="2" |Documentary Series |
| Jennifer's Tour, A Live Show By Brockhampton |
| Billy Star
|Van Nuys Matt / "South Central" Crew |Short Film |
| Saturation
| rowspan="3" |Himself |Documentary |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Love Your Parents Tour |Documentary Series |
| The Longest Summer In America
|Documentary |
| 2019
|Keeping The Band |Himself (fictionalized depiction) |Series |
| 2021
|Live from The Chapel |Himself |Concert film |
| {{TableTBA}}
|{{Pending film|Strobe}} |{{TableTBA}} |Feature film |
= Music Videos =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of music videos as Matt Champion ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" |Year ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" |Album(s) ! scope="col" style="width:7em;" |Director(s) |
| scope="row" |"El Dorado"
|2015 |{{n/a}} |Matt Champion, Albert Gordon, Henock Sileshi |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Aphid" {{small|(featuring Dijon)}} | rowspan="3" |2024 | rowspan="3" |Mika's Laundry | rowspan="3" |Anna Pollack |
| scope="row" |"Slug" |
| scope="row" |"Dogfish" |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of music videos directed ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" |Year ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" |Album(s) ! scope="col" style="width:7em;" |Director(s) |
| scope="row" |"New Shoes"
| rowspan="2" |2022 |rowspan="2" |TM |Matt Champion, Onda |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Man on the Moon"
|Matt Champion |
References
{{reflist}}{{Brockhampton}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Champion, Matt}}
Category:Brockhampton (band) members
Category:People from The Woodlands, Texas