Matthew Santos is an American two-time Grammy Nominated pop and folk singer-songwriter, musician and composer.. Accessed January 2, 2008. He became well known for his collaboration with Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco on the single "Superstar". He was signed to Lupe Fiasco's 1st & 15th Entertainment record label, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.

Biography

Early years Matthew Santos was born on December 28, 1982, in Minneapolis. He graduated from Southwest High School in Minneapolis.Star Tribune interview (December 20, 2007). Accessed January 8, 2008. He moved to Chicago in 2001 to study music composition at Columbia College Chicago.MetroMix and The RedEye interview Accessed February 15, 2008.

Music career Santos released his album Matters of the Bittersweet in November 2007, under indie label Candyrat Records. Following the release of the album, he developed a following surrounding his video performances on YouTube.Billboard Magazine interview (January 2, 2008). Accessed January 5, 2008. Singersroom article (November 28, 2007) Accessed January 9, 2008. His five-piece band includes Aviva Jaye (vocals, keyboard), Robert Tucker (drums), Graham Burris (bass), and Matthew Nelson (keyboard).Staten Island Advance interview Accessed January 31, 2008.Chicago Flame interview Accessed March 3, 2008.

In 2006, Santos was featured on Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor album on the song "American Terrorist."Lansing Lowdown interview (December 5, 2007) . Accessed January 8, 2008. Santos was featured on three additional tracks on Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, released in December 2007; "Superstar", "Streets On Fire", and "Fighters".Washington Times interview (January 25, 2008). Accessed January 25, 2008, Santos joined Fiasco on his world tour in 2008, including appearances on MTV's Total Request Live and Spring Break, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and a debut talk show performance on David Letterman's first live show after the 2007 Writers Guild of America Strike.Pitchfork Forkcast: Matthew Santos on David Letterman (January 3, 2007) . Accessed January 9, 2008.Columbia Chronicle interview (January 30, 2008) . Accessed January 30, 2008.

In 2007, Santos opened the mtvU Woodie Awards with Lupe Fiasco and performed at the 2008 mtv's Video Music Awards.The Michigan Daily interview (December 7, 2007) . Accessed January 8, 2008. In addition, Santos performed at Glastonbury Festival, Bonnaroo Festival, the Las Vegas Vegoose Music Festival, Lollapalooza Chicago, South by Southwest, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Summerfest, and Chicago's Around the Coyote Arts Festival.

In 2009, Santos was featured on the single "Chaconne" by Twin Cities hip hop artist Dessa, a member of Doomtree, from her album A Badly Broken Code. That summer, he was featured in Chicago magazine as one of the city's top singles.Chicago magazine's top singles: Matthew Santos (June 2009). Accessed June 12, 2009.

Seeking creative autonomy, Santos stepped away from the mainstream music scene to focus on his own artistic inclinations. In 2010, Santos released the album This Burning Ship of Fools.On Matthew Santos and his new record "This Burning Ship of Fools" (March 2009). Accessed March 29, 2010. In 2012, Santos released the album Quickly Disappearing.

He released three more studio albums and became the frontman of the electro-pop band Monakr. The band's success led to a record deal with Embassy of Music and a publishing agreement with Songs Music Publishing (KOBALT). Their music was featured in the film "Love, Simon" and the TV show "Shades of Blue."

In recent years, Santos collaborated with notable artists such as Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, NGHTMRE, Eryn Allen Kane, and Saba Pivot. He also toured extensively with fellow Minneapolis artist Dessa across Europe, China, and North America, and has begun scoring for film, TV, and movie trailers.

Santos's music has been featured in various shows and films, including "Games People Play," "Sacrifice," "LEGO Masters," "Claim to Fame," "Temptation Island," "The Chi," and "Berlin, I Love You." Additionally, he contributed songs to the Netflix series First Kill, including the singles "Lil' Drop," "Too Late, Too Little," and “Give My Life For You.”

Santos recently composed music for the trailer of the award-winning Netflix movie Rustin.

Discography Albums As a Crow Flies EP (2006) Matters of the Bittersweet (2007, CandyRat Records) This Burning Ship of Fools (2010, Love Sick Fool Records) Quickly Disappearing (2012, CandyRat Records) Into the Further (2015, CandyRat Records)

Singles • Burning Up (Come Up Down) (2011)

• Under The Microscope (2015)

• Borrowed Time (2024)

Featured singles YearSongChart positions[ Artist Chart History] Billboard. Accessed March 7, 2008.CertificationsAlbumU.S. Hot 100U.S. Pop 100U.S. R&BUKUK R&B2007"Superstar" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos)10131941 RIAA: Platinum BPI: GoldLupe Fiasco's the Cool2009"Shining Down" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos)93————Lasers

Guest appearances YearSongArtist(s)Album2006"American Terrorist"Lupe FiascoLupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor2007"Superstar"Lupe Fiasco's The Cool"Fighters""Streets On Fire"2009"Shining Down"Lasers2010"The Chaconne"DessaA Badly Broken Code2016"Bucket List"SabaBucket List Project

References

External links Interview with Matthew Santos on Centerstage Chicago The Official Matthew Santos Website