WAKE UP [Produced by Dazed Beathead]

The mind of a child is at once fertile ground and a sea of possibilities. So much so, that natural inclinations and affinities in our formative years often leave clues to the person we’ll become. 

Such is the case with recording artiste/music producer, Evaflow, whose relationship with music began as a youth. In the 90’s, little Matthew Elliott was growing up in the bustling town of Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, in Jamaica, enchanted by stories woven into the musical works of Bob Marley and Michael Jackson— a fascination his father, an avid reggae, R & B/Soul vinyl collector, unwittingly sparked and nurtured.

Introduction to Sizzla and Vybz Kartel led to deeper exploration of the artform as a teen. He would rewrite the lyrics of popular songs (keeping the original melodies) much to the enjoyment of his peers, whose reactions pushed him to continue. 

He then penned his first original song, Run Dis, at age 14, which was a school hit and became “an obsessive songwriter” since. And yet, much like the river of feelings marking childhood to adulthood, the journey through reconnecting with his soul’s truest expression was initially quite challenging.

Naturally artistic, highly intelligent youths like himself often found themselves conflicted by and frustrated with the fervent disapproval of their loved ones who encouraged corporate settings as the ultimate goal or reward for their gifts, believing creative professions weren’t potentially lucrative or fulfilling.

After much internal conflict he learned to undo himself from others’ expectations and claim the happiness he sought pursuing his own dream. Meandering through these emotions and drawing on his inner strength became the springboard that launched the tenacious, resilient, unrestrained creative he is today. 

Evaflow sees the sky—a space that, for him, represents preparedness, great health and sound mind— not as the limit, but as limitless. For him, “the sky is the start” (his personal motto). This philosophy means “one must be able to fly, being in a place of consistent, purposeful action”. It even inspired the name of his multimedia company, SkyStarter Creative. 

The start-up is an umbrella for his artistic endeavours and an empowerment tool for young creatives who feel misunderstood and unsupported by the world around them as he once did. It represents a resolve that anyone can become more self-aware, take the reins of their lives and make a difference, instead of trying to fit into a model that doesn’t resonate with their core being.

Fuelled by The Source, and all things encompassed, and having honed his skills studying his early influences, along with the likes of J. Cole, Vybz Kartel, Joey Badass, Black Uhuru, Outkast, Pharrell & UGK, he, too, is a master lyricist, skillfully caressing and firing up any beat he connects with. 

As Jamaica’s music evolves, he plays an instrumental role in pushing the boundaries of traditional expectations and refers to his eclectic blend of Reggae, Hip-Hop & Dancehall as Hip-Hall or Dub-Hop, described as “Bob Marley meets Jay-Z with a splash of Lauryn Hill”.

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