Author Information
My BIO
My Bio
Yesterday
I was born Walter m. Matthews IV from Sonya m. Mcdaniel and Walter M. Matthews III. I was born in northwest Baltimore Md. I come from a prophetic, kindhearted, gift of gab, proper, outgoing, sometimes gullible, business savvy, independent mother and an intelligent, deep thinking, prideful, creative, loner, nomadic, quiet, moody father. Put them both together you have a hybrid which is me.
I started my journey in the creative world when I took and interest into drawing. I never was never technically the best artist, but I had a big imagination. My skills really developed when a childhood friend and I Andrew created pocket comic books. These were mini comics that we would tape together or staple and write our own stories to. That’s when I think my talent for writing started to manifest. In grade school my biggest strength would be the writing proficiency test.
In the mid to late 80’s one of my neighbors was getting heavily into the rising rap art form and it interested me how he idolized LL cool J. He copied LL’s extensive vocabulary in his own style. I was hooked and amazed at the whole style and poetry of rap. So I started writing my own rhymes and really exploring the dynamics of the English language. I kept writing through high school and rapped with classmates in ciphers. I recorded my first rap in 1993 and for two years evolved as a prolific poet and rapper. By 1996 I transferred my rap into a singer songwriter style by teaching myself how to play guitar. This enhanced my artistry even more. Between 1999 and 2002 I went into hibernation from all things creative. I just worked the hopeless 9 to 5. By 2003 I fate would bring me back to my creativity.
2003
I met a musician and studio owner by the name of Dutch that had some things going on musically that shifted me back to my creative side again. He had a team of producers and artists that I joined and I was full of the ambition that I once had. Now it’s time to fulfill my dreams. This was the year I really broke out of my shell and learned how to engage people, sell myself, and hustle. I also learned much about the computer and the internet which would be a big part of my growth as an artist. I help Dutch with much of the business side of Soulhop until the end of the year some things happened where Dutch had to leave town for a year and had to reevaluate the business.
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2004
This was a year of major soul searching for me. I was going through many ups and downs with relationships and also a lack of employment. My father purchased a computer for me which allowed me to explore the internet like never before. In my isolation I turned to a writer’s forum called “The Lab” that would really propel the writing in me thru the stratosphere. Some of the members took notice of my poetry and really gave me much praise which made me write more and more. The poems would flow like water the more people loved them and responded to them. They came from a personal place and connected with people because they could feel me crying out through words. This was the first time in my life that I was really able to express all of my feelings. So the contained dam of my destiny was breached. I just couldn’t stop writing.
My sisters’ graduation (That faithful day)
This was the day of my twin sisters’ graduation. It was my father and his sister that attended with me. My aunt Sandra had really a personal love and connection my mother and me. I told here that I had built some poetry up and she then encouraged me to write a book. It seem so farfetched to me but she told me that she would help me. So I started the journey of the writing of my debut book The blood of my pen.
Today
September 30, 2005 I finalized and published my first book the blood of my pen and it was my biggest accomplishment to date. I am still shocked that I had it in me to finish what I started. I had so much passion for the task; I just had to see it through. This is also the year that I joined forces back with Dutch to see out the dream of the Soulhop Productions. I’m working hard to keep all my ventures in music and writing alive. My creative ambitions have come full circle and are not just a dream anymore, but reality.
Tomorrow
Yes tomorrow is an illusion, but it is so promising. I am excited about what the future holds for me. I am determined to make a better life for myself and do and get paid for the things I always wanted to do. I want to wake in the morning, take a deep breath and wake up with exuberance instead of sluggishness. I want to get better at my craft, become closer to God, and through my talents be able to positively affect people. I’m ready for change because it’s time.
The cusp of greatness
As I sit on the cusp of greatness
Ready to embark on the beginning
To the rest of my life
More wise more grounded
More talented a lot more patient
More assertive more aggressive
More enlightened
I feel blessed that God has given me these gifts
Right at my feet and its time to take advantage of them
Time to quit talking
Time to fulfill this prophecy
Time to live a better life
In my rapid eye sleep I see visions
With crystal clarity
I can smell this world, I can feel it
I have seen the coming
Like Mlk’s vision over the mountaintop
My promise land is here right on earth
I see so many breathtaking scenes
My family stronger than ever
My wife has already been chosen
I pray to live up to all I will become
It is 20 minutes until my rising sun
Here I stand, ready, willing to receive my destiny.
Cold August “The Poet of Pain”.
