Matchstik
Encyclopedia
Allen David Forrest Jr. also known by the stage name Matchstik or Match, is an American recording artist, rapper, singer/songwriter, music producer, and actor. He is also the founder and CEO of M. Republik Music Group.
Allen Forrest has released three studio albums and one EP. The Concept album released in Fall of 2009 has over 100,000 digital downloads worldwide. A feature in Billboard
magazine and on Yahoo.com's The New Now
. Matchstik was the first rapper to make front page headlines in Dothan, AL in the Dothan Eagle
newspaper. Matchstik's song Give Back (ft Whitney Phillips) was featured in the Sony movie Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
movie soundtrack. He also was a social media expert on the 2009 SESAC
annual Music Boot Camp. His latest single Nothing Is Free is produced by Black Eyed Peas's hit-maker Jean Baptiste. He's recently finished his anticipated acoustic EP
titled The Allen Forrest Project which includes That's What I Say which has over 107,000 plays on Europe's #1 Urban Magazine "Yo Raps" featuring Jennifer Åkerman, a singer/model/actress who is the younger sister of the actress Malin Åkerman
.
Allen Forrest recently completed his latest rap album titled The Great Awakening due to be released digitally worldwide on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11), of which he is the executive producer. The first single from the album is titled Written In Da Starz (Back Streetz) featuring Lou Lou Malibu.
. At age nine, Matchstik’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide.
Allen's father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Allen’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own. Without a father figure in his life, Allen found a home in the streets. It wasn’t long before Allen himself began selling drugs.
Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Allen realized he had to turn his life around. Determined not to be a victim of his circumstances, Matchstik left the street life behind, dropped out of high school and obtained his G.E.D. He also went on to attend college, and subsequently joined the Navy
at age 20.
During his journey across the country, Allen had a near fatal car crash when his best friend tried to kill himself and Matchstik by grabbing the steering wheel and hitting a tractor-trailer as he & Allen were traveling to San Diego.
, Great Lakes, IL, starting in 2001. After completing boot camp, he attended CTR
school at Corry Station in Pensacola, FL. Later, he crossed over to an Operation Specialist
to be stationed on the USS Pinckney DDG 91
. Upon completing four years of service in the Navy and receiving an honorable discharge and several commendations--including a Good Conduct Medal
--he decided to leave the Navy and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast.
, Joe Budden
, and several other acts.
Matchstik has worked with notable music producers such as Jean Baptiste (Black Eyed Peas), Derek Bramble (Faith Hill
, Bowie, Whitney, Will Smith
, American Idol), and Phonix (The Game).
Celebrity photographers such as Hamesh Shahani (Credits: Sir Richard Branson, Beyonc'e
' Kanye West
, Common
) Oleg Kud (Rich Boi, Lupe Fiasco
, Wailers) Brad Christopher (Jay Rock
, Kendrick Lamar
, Taryn Southern
).
Allen Forrest has released three studio albums and one EP. The Concept album released in Fall of 2009 has over 100,000 digital downloads worldwide. A feature in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine and on Yahoo.com's The New Now
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
. Matchstik was the first rapper to make front page headlines in Dothan, AL in the Dothan Eagle
Dothan Eagle
The Dothan Eagle is a daily newspaper serving Dothan, Alabama and the surrounding communities. It is owned by Media General....
newspaper. Matchstik's song Give Back (ft Whitney Phillips) was featured in the Sony movie Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, the sequel to 2007's Stomp the Yard, is a 2010 direct-to-video drama film directed by Rob Hardy. The film is produced by Rainforest Films and released through Sony Pictures' Screen Gems division on October 12, 2010. The original release date was October 12, but the...
movie soundtrack. He also was a social media expert on the 2009 SESAC
SESAC
SESAC, originally the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers, is the smallest of the three performance rights organizations in the United States. SESAC was founded in 1930, making it the second-oldest performing rights organization in the U.S. SESAC is also the fastest-growing PRO in the...
annual Music Boot Camp. His latest single Nothing Is Free is produced by Black Eyed Peas's hit-maker Jean Baptiste. He's recently finished his anticipated acoustic EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled The Allen Forrest Project which includes That's What I Say which has over 107,000 plays on Europe's #1 Urban Magazine "Yo Raps" featuring Jennifer Åkerman, a singer/model/actress who is the younger sister of the actress Malin Åkerman
Malin Akerman
Malin Maria Åkerman is a Swedish–Canadian actress and model. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden and moved to Canada at the age of two. As a child, she appeared in several television commercials before going on to win a modelling contract at age sixteen...
.
Allen Forrest recently completed his latest rap album titled The Great Awakening due to be released digitally worldwide on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11), of which he is the executive producer. The first single from the album is titled Written In Da Starz (Back Streetz) featuring Lou Lou Malibu.
Early life
Raised in Dothan, AlabamaDothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
. At age nine, Matchstik’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide.
Allen's father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Allen’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own. Without a father figure in his life, Allen found a home in the streets. It wasn’t long before Allen himself began selling drugs.
Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Allen realized he had to turn his life around. Determined not to be a victim of his circumstances, Matchstik left the street life behind, dropped out of high school and obtained his G.E.D. He also went on to attend college, and subsequently joined the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
at age 20.
During his journey across the country, Allen had a near fatal car crash when his best friend tried to kill himself and Matchstik by grabbing the steering wheel and hitting a tractor-trailer as he & Allen were traveling to San Diego.
Naval career
Allen Forrest attended boot camp at The Naval StationNaval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes is the home of the United States Navy's only boot camp, located near the city of North Chicago, Illinois, in Lake County. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago...
, Great Lakes, IL, starting in 2001. After completing boot camp, he attended CTR
Cryptologic technician
Cryptologic Technician is a United States Navy enlisted rating or job specialty. The CT community performs a wide range of tasks in support of the national intelligence effort, with an emphasis on cryptology and signal intelligence related products....
school at Corry Station in Pensacola, FL. Later, he crossed over to an Operation Specialist
Operations Specialist (US Navy)
Operations Specialist is a United States Navy occupational rating.-Brief history:The rating started from the Radarman rating. When the Radarman rating was split up to ET's,OS's and EW's the rating badge continued to be used by the Operations Specialist. It symbolizes an...
to be stationed on the USS Pinckney DDG 91
USS Pinckney (DDG-91)
USS Pinckney is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Cook First Class William Pinckney , who received the Navy Cross for his courageous rescue of a fellow crewmember on board Enterprise during the Battle of Santa Cruz.Pinckney was laid down on 16 July 2001...
. Upon completing four years of service in the Navy and receiving an honorable discharge and several commendations--including a Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
--he decided to leave the Navy and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast.
Musical career
Allen Forrest started M. Republik Music Group in Los Angeles, California, in 2005. Match has shared the stage with pop reggae artist Sean PaulSean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
, Joe Budden
Joe Budden
-Early life:Budden was born in Spanish Harlem, but lived in Queens until he was 12 and from there moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He is one of five boys...
, and several other acts.
Matchstik has worked with notable music producers such as Jean Baptiste (Black Eyed Peas), Derek Bramble (Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
, Bowie, Whitney, Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, American Idol), and Phonix (The Game).
Celebrity photographers such as Hamesh Shahani (Credits: Sir Richard Branson, Beyonc'e
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
' Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Common
Common
Common may refer to:* COMMON, the largest association of users of mid-range IBM computers* Common , a British Thoroughbred racehorse* Common , a part of certain Christian liturgy* Commoner, someone does not hold a title of peerage...
) Oleg Kud (Rich Boi, Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, Wailers) Brad Christopher (Jay Rock
Jay Rock
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr. , better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper. He was named one of the top 13 most street artists by XXL. His voice has been called a cross between Immortal Technique and Rick Ross. He is a part of the rap group Black Hippy which also features Kendrick...
, Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...
, Taryn Southern
Taryn Southern
Taryn Southern is an American singer, actress and comedian. She was part of American Idol season three's Top 50. Southern gained national attention with her video Hot4Hill during the 2008 Presidential race...
).