The East African creative scene keeps buzzing with exciting sounds, and among the young artists disrupting this and breaking barriers is Matt Travers, born Matthew Nyanzi David. The young star is slowly but surely putting a new print to the East African Urban sound as a producer adventuring new fusions.
His journey into music began early as entertainment prefect at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, and later as a semi-finalist in the Akadope Stars talent search, where he released “Destiny’s Child.”
Momentum in the scene followed with a feature on schoolmate C.Kayo’s debut project Paper Planes, before his April 2025 debut EP MOZO, five tracks that earned him back-to-back Uganda Hip Hop Awards nominations for “Rookie of the Year” and “Producer of the Year”.
Related: Matt Travers Recruits Akeine For New Single – ‘Over The Moon’. LISTEN
On his latest EP Third World Baby, story takes the lead over pure music, with production from urban wave talent Amanya, a fast-rising Ugandan female artist and producer, and Musss.
With his distinct Bass touch comes a playful diction in his storytelling, heard on tracks like the Simmer Down (Remix), featuring John Blaq, an icon he looks up to and had a chance to book during his reign as entertainment prefect at St. Mary’s College Kisubi.
Kevin Mawejje also features on Proud of U, a deep story told about positivity, hope and reassurance.
Collaboration is nothing new for Matt, who also appeared on Bikaaye, the debut group song from the MTN Pulse Hip Hop Cypher winners, released at an exclusive listening event at The Drop Bar & Restaurant back then in 2022, alongside Allan “Triggah” Watikha, Ebrahim “Soul’o King, Mootownoh and King Missy, the quintet that emerged top 5 in this year’s MTN Pulse Hip Hop Awards cypher challenge category.
Read Also: King Missy Hails MTN Uganda & Swangz Avenue For Elevating Her Career
Having been featured on Cross boarder playlist ”New Music Friday: Kenya”, Matt with intentionality would go on a step further to go on a trip to Nairobi and place his efforts on leaving his mark on their urban scene. While there, he got to marry his passion for artistic expression and eco-friendly campaigns, something that deeply resonates with him.
Art in general should be not only to express oneself but also share values ranging from protecting the environment, Matt believes, and this was evident in his recent collaboration with Night in Nairobi, a fashion brand focused on upcycled custom outfits. He believes in sharing more of his stories in line with protecting nature and also bringing on his own distinct style of expression in performances, music videos and everyday lifestyle.
To add to these efforts was a successful, intimate Live Session at Lemon Studio Nairobi that came off the back of a week’s residency involving wellness activities, nature adventures and sharing art and conservation of nature alongside his musical career.
Matt additionally believes that the future of art comes with protection of values, community and well told stories that are fun to engage with daily, musically.
Sharing this passion with peers, university and high school students is next on the list; stirring a new passion for nature conservation with his music as the soundtrack.
Music as a fun expression, in his eyes, should bring people together not just to vibe but to also share values, with communities offering a better way to grow around shared passions united by Music.
More music is on the way, all carrying the intention to communicate the greater big cause.
Matt Travers’ latest EP Third World Baby, a well told story of his time, is available on all streaming platforms. Listen to it here.