Matoma Biography

Let’s dive into the world of Matoma, the Norwegian DJ and record producer who’s taken the music industry by storm. Known for his electrifying remixes and unique tropical house beats, Matoma’s journey to the top is a tale of passion, perseverance, and pure talent.

In this article, we’ll explore the life and career of this musical maestro, from his humble beginnings in Trondheim, Norway, to his rise as an international sensation. We’ll delve into his early influences, breakthrough moments, and the key tracks that have defined his sound. So, if you’re a fan of Matoma, or simply curious about his journey, stick around. There’s a captivating story waiting for you.

Early Life & Background

Born as Tom Stræte Lagergren on 29 May 1991, Matoma hails from Trondheim, Norway. As a child, Matoma showed early signs of musical talent. In his formative years, Matoma joined the school’s marching band, playing the piano and drums. The lessons imparted there formed the foundation of his musical career.

The household was always resonating with different tunes, adding a sense of warmth and inclusivity. Matoma cites multi-instrumentalist artists like Phil Collins and Michael Jackson as significant influencers in his early life. These prolific musicians’ dedication and creativity sparked an undying passion in Matoma’s heart.

The Norwegian DJ’s life took a pivotal turn at the age of 18 when he enrolled in a music program in his hometown. The educational program, rigorous and extensive, instilled in Matoma an appreciation for music theory and production. His fingers danced on the musical notes, weaving chords into melodies – skills that later helped him craft his trademark tropical house beats.

Matoma juggled academia with music production for years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The formal education in the Music field honed Matoma’s production techniques, setting him apart from other artists in the industry.

It’s also worth noting that throughout these academic pursuits, Matoma wasn’t restricted to the confines of his classroom. He cycled through genres, from pop to rock to hip-hop, cutting his teeth on the broad swathes of different musical styles. This exploration allowed Matoma to inject his music with a strikingly diverse range of influences, contributing to his unique sound that resonates with audiences today.

Yes, Matoma’s early life could be characterized by a profound passion for music, learning, and exploration. The influences and experiences he had during these formative years act as the backbone of his successful career.

Breakthrough in the EDM Scene

Matoma made a mark in the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene exactly at the juncture when tropical house was reaching its peak, around 2014. He made his debut with the track ‘Old Thing Back’, a remix of The Notorious B.I.G’s song. This track gained immediate traction, garnering over 28 million plays on YouTube and 160 million streams on Spotify. It became one of the top tracks of its year, thus establishing Matoma’s presence in the EDM community.

Following the success of ‘Old Thing Back’, Matoma released his first album, ‘Hakuna Matoma’ in 2015. This album incorporated his characteristic tropical house beats, blending electronic with classical music, which yielded a unique, fresh sound. In this album, listeners found tracks like ‘False Alarm’ and ‘Running Out’, which, combined, received over 184 million streams on Spotify.

Understanding the trend in digital music consumption, Matoma pioneered a dynamic album concept for ‘Hakuna Matoma’. Instead of releasing all tracks at once, new songs were incrementally added to the digital album over time. This innovative approach ensured a steady stream of new content, keeping fans engaged, and anticipation high for new releases, contributing to the album’s continued success.

On the heels of ‘Hakuna Matoma’, Matoma released his second album ‘One in a Million’ in 2018. It represented an expansion of his musical style and featured collaborations with artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Noah Cyrus, and Max. This expansion of Matoma’s sound allowed him to reach a wider audience, intensifying his footprint in the EDM world.

Throughout these years, Matoma performed at numerous music festivals, such as Coachella and Tomorrowland, and embarked on multiple world tours. His performances showcased his ability to merge diverse musical genres into his sets, offering audiences a taste of his eclectic musical influences. Matoma’s innovative approach to music production, paired with his unique tropical beats, has ingrained him as a formidable influence in the EDM scene.

Signature Sound & Production Techniques

Emerging as a force in the EDM scene, Matoma has a distinct sound and unique production techniques that set him apart. His breakthrough in the industry owes much to his innovative style, developed through years of experimentation and growth.

What Type of EDM is Matoma?

Matoma’s music predominantly falls under the Tropical House genre. This genre blends deep and smooth house beats with elements of reggae and dancehall rhythms, creating a style marked by warm, relaxed sounds and upbeat tempos. Tropical House is said to mimic tropical atmospheres, something Matoma achieves with masterful production techniques.

However, Matoma isn’t confined to Tropical House alone. Over his career, he’s explored other genres, incorporating elements from classical music and pop, evident in his diverse album catalog. For instance, his second album ‘One in a Million’ showcases diverse genre fusions created through collaborations with various artists.

Matoma’s ability to synergize multiple music genres into his sound makes his style of EDM an eclectic mix, resonating with a wide range of audiences across the globe. His work embodies the fluidity of EDM itself, demonstrating its capacity for mixing, adapting, and reshaping different musical elements.

Moving forward, we’ll delve deeper into Matoma’s signature sound and the production techniques that have made his music stand out in the crowded EDM scene.

Similar Artists to Matoma

While Matoma’s musical style, particularly his fusion of tropical house beats and classical elements, is certainly unique, there exist several artists that share parallels with him. These artists, too, venture beyond traditional genre boundaries, incorporating various musical elements to devise distinctive sounds.

1. First on the list, Kygo, is a Norwegian DJ and record producer. Kygo’s incorporation of tropical house, deep house, and downtempo music mimics the genre fluidity evident in Matoma’s work. The song ‘Firestone’ further affirms Kygo’s knack for creating songs that resonate globally.
2. Next up, Lost Frequencies, a Belgian DJ and record producer, specializes in tropical house, deep house, and electronic pop music. His hit track ‘Are You With Me’ showcases his ability to imbue pop elements into deep house tracks, aligning him with Matoma’s genre-blending approach.
3. Sam Feldt, a Dutch DJ, deep house producer, and entrepreneur, mirrors Matoma’s genre-transcending sensibilities. Feldt’s track ‘Post Malone’ beautifully combines tropical house with pop elements while maintaining deep house roots.
4. Lastly, Thomas Jack, an Australian DJ and producer, is an original pioneer of the tropical house genre. Jack’s tunes, like ‘Rivers’, are brimming with sunny house vibes that exhibit similarities to Matoma’s sound.

By identifying these artists as similar to Matoma, not only do we shed light on the diversities of the EDM genre, but we also introduce Matoma’s fans to other potential favorites. Each artist listed above brings a unique flavor within the genre blending tropical house, deep house, and pop elements, embodying the same spirit of exploration that characterizes Matoma’s work. This fluidity and adaptability of EDM artists demonstrate the dynamism and evolution of the genre.

Discography

A deep dive into Matoma’s discography reveals a consistent touch of the artist’s unique style. His commitment to pushing boundaries and merging genres lights up his musical folio. Structurally, Matoma’s discography falls into three primary categories: Studio albums, Singles, and Remixes.

Studio Albums

Matoma released two studio albums: ‘Hakuna Matoma’ (2015) and ‘One In A Million’ (2018). Both albums display his finesse in blending tropical house beats with classical music elements, only confirming his success at reaching a wide audience. Comparative to ‘Hakuna Matoma’, ‘One In A Million’ expands further on his sound, showing a satisfying evolution in his style.

For clarity, here’s a markdown table of Matoma’s studio albums:

Year	Album
2015	Hakuna Matoma
2018	One in a Million

Singles

Matoma’s singles also resonate with his unique sound and carry the capacity to reach a broad spectrum of EDM lovers. Some notable singles are ‘Old Thing Back’ (2015), ‘False Alarm’ (2016), and ‘Slow’ (2017). Each track embodies Matoma’s adventurous sonic spirit, bridging gaps between different music genres.

A breakdown of selected singles:

Year	Single
2015	Old Thing Back
2016	False Alarm
2017	Slow

Year	Remixed Track	Original Artist
2014	‘When the Beat Drops Out’	Marlon Roudette
2015	‘Bailando’	Enrique Iglesias
2015	‘Perfect’	One Direction

Tours & Live Performances

Matoma’s energy doesn’t just flow through his music; it’s electrifying on stage as well. He’s orchestrated a host of live performances, spreading his unique blend of tropical house and classical music across multiple continents.

Matoma’s First Major Tour

Matoma embarked on his first major tour, “Living the Dream,” in 2015. An extensive tour, it comprised 30 performances across the United States, Europe, and Australia. His shows weren’t limited to clubs or music festivals; they included a variety of venues, from small intimate settings to larger outdoor venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Coachella. Experiencing Matoma live allowed fans an opportunity to feel the energy, creativity, and passion that go into every beat.

Collaborative Performances

Collaborative works form a considerable part of Matoma’s live performances. His 2018 performance at Tomorrowland, for example, had guest appearances by MAX, Noah Cyrus, and Enrique Iglesias. These performances highlighted the genre-blending that characterizes his music, bringing an electric synthesis of different sounds to the stage.

Future Tours

Matoma continues to blaze his own path in the music industry, announcing new tours regularly. In 2019, he introduced his “One In A Million” tour, parallel to the release of his album by the same name. Here, Matoma asserted not just his popularity but his staying power, reminding us that his craft reshapes and redefines the EDM scene, one track, one remix, and one live performance at a time.

Personal Life & Off-stage Persona

Matoma, birth name Tom Stræte Lagergren, paints a unique picture away from the stage as well. Born on May 29, 1991, in Trondheim, Norway, his affinity for music sparked at a tender age. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology from the esteemed Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The DJ’s off-stage personality mirrors that of his music – optimistic, energetic, and full of life.

We find nuances of Norwegian culture permeating his personal life. As a resident of Flisa, Norway, Matoma fosters a love for outdoor activities, specifically skiing. A testament to this is when one scans through his Instagram posts, often teeming with snowy landscapes and high-energy escapades.

As for his personal relationships, Matoma keeps this aspect of his life private. Still, snippets of his life indicate a strong bond with family. He often shares moments with them on social media, showcasing his affinity for warmth and togetherness. On October 22, 2020, he shared the joyous news of welcoming a daughter with his long-term girlfriend, hinting at the new chapter in his personal life.

The EDM star’s off-stage persona extends to a deeply ingrained sense of giving back. Matoma is often associated with philanthropic causes, strongly advocating for charity, social change, and donations. He used his platform during the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize concert to draw attention to climate change, one of many such engagements to use his music to spread aware.

All of these facets contribute to a charismatic and relatable off-stage Matoma, augmenting his appeal among fans as not just a noteworthy musician, but an inspirational figure. His personal life and the ethos he embodies solidify his impact, not only in the EDM scene but also as a culturally rooted, family-centered, and socially aware individual.

Follow Matoma

Instagram: @matoma

Twitter: @matomaofficial

Facebook: Matoma

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of music does Matoma produce?

Matoma is known for his unique fusion of tropical house and classical music. His discography showcases this genre-blending with albums like ‘Hakuna Matoma’ and ‘One in a Million’, as well as singles like ‘Old Thing Back’ and ‘Slow’.

Who has Matoma remixed music for?

Among other artists, Matoma has remixed tracks for Enrique Iglesias, adding his unique tropical house touch to the popular tracks.

What information is known about Matoma’s personal life?

Matoma is not only a musician but also a family man with a background in education. He enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, maintains a close bond with his family, and recently welcomed a daughter into his family.

What are some of Matoma’s philanthropic efforts?

Beyond his music career, Matoma is an advocate for social change. He is involved in various charity causes, using his influence to inspire others and make an impact in his community.

How has Matoma’s music and persona impacted the EDM scene?

Matoma’s commitment to blending musical genres, coupled with his culturally rooted, family-centered, and socially aware lifestyle, has made him a remarkable figure in the EDM scene. His music and personality have contributed significantly to his appeal as a relatable and inspirational public figure.