Iman Jordan

Last updated

Iman Jordan (formerly Mateo)
Iman in LA.jpg
Background information
Birth nameIman Jordan
Born Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
OriginLos Angeles, California
GenresPop, R&B, Soul, Alternative
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)vocals, piano
Years active2007present
Labels MySpace Records, Interscope Records
Website www.listentoiman.com

Iman Jordan formerly known by his stage name Mateo, is an American pop/R&B singer-songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was formerly signed to the Krucial Noise imprint on Interscope Records, label imprint of Alicia Keys producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. [1]

Contents

Personal life

Iman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a musical family. His grandfather, Freddy Jordan was a jazz and session guitarist at the historic King Records where he played for the likes of James Brown, Freddie King, and Charles Brown. [2] [3] His grandmother was a singer who toured Canada and the northeastern United States. Iman started singing at an early age and playing classical piano at age 5. He attended Morehouse College, majoring in music and business. [4] [3] After graduation, Iman moved to New York City where he briefly worked as a strategy consultant. [3]

On June 21, 2016, Iman publicly came out as gay via his Instagram. He wrote, "Over the years, I've created so many faces and have done so many costume changes just to hide the simple fact that I am who I am. I've changed my name. I've worn clothes I didn't like. I've written songs about my most meaningful relationships and changed the pronouns. All for what...to meet my assumed expectation of others." Shortly after, he changed his artist name from Mateo to his birth given name, Iman.

Early music career

200810: Beginnings in Los Angeles and MySpace Records

Iman eventually moved to Los Angeles, in California, where he began performing under the name Mateo and pursued a career in the music industry. He met with former MTV VJ, Quddus. [5] [ failed verification ], who was working at MySpace Records quickly took interest and brought Iman over to the label which signed him nearly on the spot. [6] [7] While on MySpace records, he released a three part mixtape series entitled "Underneath the Sky", which garnered critical acclaim. The mixtape series included features from Kardinal Offishall, Teairra Mari, Fashawn, and Shawn Chrystopher. [8] [9] [10] On August 13, 2009, Iman recorded a live EP entitled Get To Know Me: Live at Swing House. His video, "Get to Know Me", from the live EP was featured by MTVU, Fuse, and Music Choice. After a year and a half stint at MySpace Records, Iman decided to part ways with the label in 2010. [4] [6] [11]

20102012: Krucial Noise signing, Love & Stadiums and Say It's So

In September 2010, he signed to Krucial Noise, the label imprint of Alicia Keys longtime producer and songwriting partner, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Brothers met him through Quddus during the MySpace Records days. He released his fourth mixtape Love & Stadiums on March 30, 2011, to critical acclaim.[ citation needed ] The mixtape serves as his first release under Krucial Noise and includes features from Goapele, Pusha T, Ab-Liva, Gilbere Forte, and Kardinal Offishall. [1] [3] [12]

Iman released his debut single, "Say It's So", on September 21, 2011, off his EP Love & Stadiums II. The single is produced by Kerry Brothers and features additional vocals from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. [13] In September 2011, Iman shot a video for "Say It's So" in New York City, directed by David "Dahveed" Telles. [14] The single charted independently on the Billboard 100 and reached No. 40 on the Urban chart, which garnered attention from Larry Jackson and John Ehman at Interscope Records.[ citation needed ]

20122015: Interscope signing, Suite 823, and "We've Met Before"

In April 2012, he officially signed to Interscope Records. While working with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers on the upcoming album, they decided to release an all original mixtape project for the summer, entitled Suite 823. The mixtape was released on August 1, 2012, to rave reviews, featuring an appearance by Motown recording artist, Stacy Barthe. [15]

On August 13, 2013, he released an EP entitled, "We've Met Before" which peaked at No. 3 on the iTunes R&B charts. [16] "How Good is Your Love" was the official single released from the EP. The video for the single peaked at No. 6 on BET's 106 and Park and in February 2014, he performed the song on VH-1's "Single Ladies". [17]

In February 2015, he parted ways with Interscope and Krucial Noise.

20162019: Sony ATV signing and self-entitled EP release

After leaving Interscope and Krucial Noise, Iman was signed to a publishing deal with Sony ATV. He garnered several high-profile placements, they include Rihanna's "Desperado", an artist feature on Robin Shulz "Uncovered" album, four songs on the critically acclaimed FOX TV show "Empire", one of which being performed by Alicia Keys and the new DJDS single, featuring Khalid.

In October 2018, he independently released his first song, "Therapy", from his self entitled EP. This was his first music release under the name Iman Jordan and since leaving Interscope. The entire EP was released on August 2, 2019, and was produced by Glashaus, the production duo consisting of Dan Glashausser and Tom Glashausser. A visual EP was created for every song on the album and released on YouTube.

The album was met with rave reviews and the song "Vibration, was featured on Spotify's Fresh Finds, Study Break, and Alt RnB playlists.

20202021: "Technicolor", "Social Distance", "Freedom Song" and television features

Iman released his single "Technicolor" on April 22, 2020. The song was chosen for "Hulu Has Whatever You're Feeling" 2020 campaign. His song "Social Distance" was released later that year, picking up a placement on Showtime's "The Chi".

During the height of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, Iman released a live recording of the soul stirring ballad, "Freedom Song". The song was later featured on ABC's 'Station 13' in the summer of 2021 and performed for ProGeorgia's Women of Color Initiative Soul Serenade.

Discography

Albums

List of album and single releases
TitleAlbum details
Get To Know Me: Live at Swing House
TitleAlbum details
Suite 823
  • Released: August 1, 2012
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: [Krucial Noise]
TitleAlbum details
We've Met Before
  • Released: August 13, 2013
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Interscope Records [Krucial Noise]
  • Charted: #3 iTunes R&B Chart
TitleAlbum details
Iman EP
  • Released: August 2, 2019
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic / Glashaus
TitleAlbum details
Technicolor (Single)
  • Released: April 22, 2020
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic
TitleAlbum details
Social Distance (Single)
  • Released: October 21, 2020
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic
TitleAlbum details
We Got This (Single)
  • Released: July 19, 2022
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic
TitleAlbum details
Come My Way (Single)
  • Released: October 7, 2022
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic
TitleAlbum details
Prophet$ (Single)
  • Released: February 1, 2023
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Musaholic

Writing discography

YearArtistAlbum/SingleDetails
2008 Jazmine Sullivan FearlessCo-writer ("One Night Stand")
2009MateoComplicated (Single)Main Writer
Get to Know Me: Live at Swing House
2012MateoSay Its So (Single)"Main Writer
Suite 823
2015 Alicia Keys Empire Co-writer ("For You")
2016 Rihanna ANTI Co-writer ("Desperado")
Serayah Empire Co-writer ("Me"), Co-writer ("Starlight")
2017 Robin Schulz Uncovered Co-writer ("Love Me A Little")
2018 The Internet Hive Mind Co-writer ("Humble Pie")
DJDS (featuring Khalid, Charlotte Day Wilson BIG WAVE MORE FIRECo-writer ("No Pain")
ImanIman EPCo-writer (Silence, Therapy, How High, Vibration, Pomona, KYHU, Shallow)
2019 Lena Meyer-Landrut ONLY LOVE, LCo-writer ("Sex In The Morning")

Mixtapes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Sky</span> American musical duo

Nina Sky is an American musical duo consisting of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino. Their debut single "Move Ya Body", released from their self-titled debut album in 2004, was a success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album, Nicole & Natalie, was released in July 2012. Their third studio album, Brightest Gold, was announced for 2016 release through Tommy Boy Entertainment.

Stanley Bernard Benton, better known by his stage name Stat Quo, is an American rapper and record producer. Benton worked his way to college and attended University of Florida, where he majored in economics and international business in 2000. He was contemplating law school, until veteran Southern rapper Scarface encouraged him to rap professionally. In February 2003, Stat Quo released his first installment of the Underground Atlanta Mixtapes and caught the attention of Aftermath Entertainment associate Mel-Man. When Stat Quo was in L.A. performing at Encore, Mel-Man invited him to Record One Studios where he met Dr. Dre. That night at Record One, Stat Quo recorded the song "The Future" with Dr. Dre and released it on the second volume of his Underground Atlanta mixtape in 2004. The tape made its way by a different route to Eminem and led to Stat Quo's record deal with Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment. Stat Quo is currently managing Lil Xan and Young Aspect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerry Brothers Jr.</span> Musical artist

Kerry Brothers Jr., also known as "Krucial", is an American record producer, songwriter and hip hop artist. Brothers and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys began a musical partnership in the mid-1990s, co-writing and co-producing together a number of songs from her first four albums. He received two Grammy Awards from his collaborative work with Keys: Best R&B Album for Songs in A Minor and Best R&B Song for "No One".

The Diplomats is an American hip hop collective formed in 1997 by childhood friends Cam'ron and Jimmy Jones in Harlem, New York. The group was originally composed of Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey, all of whom grew up together in Harlem. In 1999, fellow Harlem-based rapper Juelz Santana joined the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planet Asia</span> American rapper from California

Jason Cullen Green, better known as Planet Asia, is a rapper from Fresno, California. He is prominent for being one half of the now reunited hip-hop duo the Cali Agents and is currently a member of the groups Gold Chain Military and Durag Dynasty. He is also well known for his vast discography of mixtapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shungudzo</span> Zimbabwean-American singer

Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, better known as Shungudzo, is a Zimbabwean-American singer and reality television personality. She first attracted media attention by being the first black female gymnast to represent Zimbabwe in artistic gymnastics at the 1999 All-Africa Games, and later by co-founding the Kijana Project, which provides relief for AIDS orphans. She later gained wide media attention as a cast member on the 2011 season of The Real World: San Diego.

Bossman, aka Travis Holifield or Jimmy Hash, is a rapper from Baltimore, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wale (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1984)

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, is an American rapper and singer. He first gained recognition in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown, leading Wale to became locally recognized as he continued recording music for the regional audience. Wale met English DJ-producer Mark Ronson in 2006 and joined his label, Allido Records in 2007. While signed to that label, Wale released several mixtapes and appeared in national media including MTV and various Black American-focused magazines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soulja Boy</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1990)

DeAndre Cortez Way, known professionally as Soulja Boy, is an American rapper and record producer. He rose to prominence after his self-released debut single "Crank That " peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks in 2007. He then released his debut album, Souljaboytellem.com (2007), which also included the single "Soulja Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teyana Taylor</span> American singer and actress

Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert is an American singer, actress, dancer and choreographer. In 2005, she signed a record deal with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment imprint. Afterwards, she choreographed the music video for "Ring the Alarm" by Beyoncé. Taylor would then appear on MTV's My Super Sweet 16, prior to the 2008 release of her debut single "Google Me". Soon after, she landed (uncredited) guest features on the songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" by Kanye West, from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010).

Charles Eddie-Lee Hamilton, Jr. is an American rapper. In addition to his solo career, he was a former member of The Chosen Few, and was also a member of the Lupe Fiasco's All City Chess Club. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, Hamilton signed to independent record label Demevolist Music Group. In 2008, Hamilton released a series of mixtapes entitled The Hamiltonization Process, and on December 8, 2008, Hamilton independently released his debut album entitled The Pink Lavalamp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Evan</span> American singer-songwriter

Jared Evan Siegel, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and rapper. He was signed to Zone 4 under Interscope Records. The song "Frozen", which Evan wrote and produced, appeared on the LeBron James documentary soundtrack entitled Music Inspired by More than a Game. In 2013 his album Boom Bap & Blues with Statik Selektah peaked at No. 8 on the iTunes Soul charts independently.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Walker</span> American rapper and singer

Gerald Joshua Walker, is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois. In 2018 he announced a partnership with Stalley's hip-hop collective Blue Collar Gang. Walker is known for his soul influenced style of hip-hop, and his associations with artist Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Cardo, Yelawolf, Skyzoo and Rockie Fresh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Mills</span> American rapper, singer, and actor from California

Travis Tatum Mills, previously known by his stage name T. Mills, is an American rapper, singer, and actor from Riverside, California. Following his name change from T. Mills to Travis Mills, he began hosting an eponymous show on Apple Music 1.

Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr., better known by his stage name Hit-Boy, is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. In May 2011, he signed a two-year deal with Kanye West's GOOD Music production branch. With this stimulus, he produced chart-topping singles such as the Diamond Certified "Niggas in Paris" by Jay-Z and Kanye West, "Trophies" by Drake, "Clique" by GOOD Music, and "Racks in the Middle" by Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch. "Racks in the Middle" won Best Rap Performance at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

Carlos Coleman, better known by his stage name King Los or simply Los, is an American rapper. He originally signed to Yung Berg Label & Bad Boy Records during the 2005 in conjunction with his Bloc Incorporated record deal. After his deal fell through he returned to releasing music independently. Los signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records again in February 2012, which is now distributed by Interscope Records. However, in March 2014, he would announce that he was again leaving Bad Boy and After Platinum Interscope. He is currently signed to Hitmaka's Yung Fly Movement label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamville Records</span> American record label

Dreamville Records is an American record label founded by American rapper J. Cole and his manager Ibrahim Hamad. The label is currently distributed through Interscope Records, a unit of Universal Music Group. The roster includes Bas, Ari Lennox, Cozz, Omen, Lute, JID, EarthGang, and Cole himself. Dreamville also houses American record producers Elite, Ron Gilmore, and Cedric Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bas (rapper)</span> American rapper from New York

Abbas Hamad, mononymously known as Bas, is a Sudanese-American rapper. He is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records via Interscope Records. His first studio album Last Winter, was released on April 29, 2014, followed by his second studio album, Too High to Riot, which was released on March 4, 2016. Bas' third album, Milky Way, was released on August 24, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich the Kid</span> American rapper (born 1992)

Dimitri Leslie Roger, professionally known as Rich the Kid, is an American rapper. He released his debut studio album, The World Is Yours, on March 30, 2018, supported by his hit singles "New Freezer" and "Plug Walk". His second studio album, The World Is Yours 2, was released on March 22, 2019, and his third studio album, Boss Man, on March 13, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tory Lanez</span> Canadian rapper and singer

Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, known professionally as Tory Lanez, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and convicted felon. He received initial recognition from the mixtape Conflicts of My Soul: The 416 Story, released in August 2013. In 2015, Tory Lanez signed to record producer Benny Blanco's Mad Love Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.

References

  1. 1 2 3 New Music: Mateo – ‘Love & Stadiums’ [Mixtape], Rap-Up, March 30, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  2. Tracy, Steven. "Going To Cincinnati: A History of the Blues in the Queen City". University of Illinois Press, 1993, p. 148.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Salaam, Khalid. Kerry Brothers’ Newest Signee Steps To The Plate, XXL Magazine, June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Jackson, Eboyne.The Method: Mateo, HoneyMag, July 29, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  5. MTV VJs, MTV. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  6. 1 2 Angel. ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MATEO Archived November 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , ConcreteLoop, September 11, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  7. Marie, Michelle.YH Buzz Meter: Mateo, YoungHollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Shake. Mick Boogie Presents Mateo – Underneath the Sky (Mixtape), 2DopeBoyz, March 5, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Shamz. Mateo – Underneath The Sky Chapter 2 [Mixtape], Okayplayer, June 10, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Angel. NEW MUSIC: MATEO RELEASES HIS NEW MIXTAPE, “UNDERNEATH THE SKY Archived September 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , ConcreteLoop, March 3, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  11. Mateo Moves Forward With 'Sky Mixtape' Post Myspace Split, SingersRoom, March 4, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  12. , Vibe, March 24, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  13. FRESH MEAT: Mateo's "Say Its So" Ft. Alicia Keys, TheYBF, September 22, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  14. EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: MATEO – “SAY IT’S SO” Archived November 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , ConcreteLoop, November 10, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  15. 1 2 Mateo Dishes on Krucial's New Label, First Dates, and 'Suite 823' Mixtape, Singersroom, July 25, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  16. , You Know I Got Soul, August 13, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  17. BET's 106 & Park, BET Countdown, November 22, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2014.