Mattsuuii's Hip Hop Talk Shop

Mattsuuii's Hip Hop Talk Shop


Breaking the Ice: A Deep Dive with Iceking

December 16, 2025

Summary

• Introduction and Background of Participants

◦ Mattsuuii introduces the podcast and welcomes Harry, also known as the Ice King, a 31-year-old artist from Detroit, Michigan.

◦ Iceking, Harry, introduces himself, mentioning his family and friends from Detroit.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his background, detailing his upbringing in a poverty-stricken family with an abusive father and a gambling mother.

◦ Mattsuuii describes the harsh living conditions, including sleeping in a car and dealing with drug-filled environments.

• Early Influences and Writing Journey

◦ Matt talks about his early interest in rock music and how he started writing lyrics at six years old.

◦ He shares his experience of being in juvenile hall and how it influenced his transition to hip hop.

◦ Mattsuuii describes his process of studying the dictionary and building a vast vocabulary, which he uses in his lyrics.

◦ He mentions his extensive knowledge of literary devices like analogies, metaphors, and homophones.

• First Projects and Record Label

◦ Suuii asks about Harry's first solo project, which he dates back to 2012.

◦ Mattsuuii talks about his record label, Way 2 Guud Entertainment, which he founded in 2013.

◦ He mentions having five artists signed to his label from various countries, including Nigeria and Australia.

◦ Harry discusses his collaboration with producers and the streams he receives from international listeners.

• Challenges and Personal Experiences

◦ Iceking shares his experience of being shot multiple times and how it changed his perspective on life.

◦ Mattsuuii talks about his own experiences with violence, including being shot at 13 and becoming a leader in a gang.

◦ They discuss the impact of their past on their current mindset and approach to life and music.

◦ Iceking emphasizes the importance of using one's talent and not wasting it.

• Differences Between Rap and Hip Hop

◦ Suuii explains his view on the difference between rap and hip hop, emphasizing the emotional depth and storytelling in hip hop.

◦ Iceking agrees, mentioning that he doesn't rap the same as others and prefers Detroit beats.

◦ They discuss the evolution of their styles and the influence of their environments on their music.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his admiration for Tech N9ne and the concept of constant energy struggles in life.

• True Artistry and Business Approach

◦ Suuii defines true artistry as the ability to evoke emotions and tell stories through music.

◦ Iceking talks about his business approach, emphasizing the importance of being an independent artist.

◦ They discuss the challenges of working with major record labels and the benefits of maintaining independence.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience as a ghostwriter and the importance of maintaining creative control.

• Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

◦ Matt asks about Harry's upcoming projects, and he mentions working on new clothing lines.

◦ Mattsuuii talks about his new shirts and his ongoing work on beats and songs.

◦ They discuss a song with an open verse that Suuiiis challenging other artists to contribute to.

◦ Mattsuuii mentions his upcoming 21-track LP and the importance of meeting deadlines.

• Technical Difficulties and Final Thoughts

◦ Mattsuuii and Iceking experience technical difficulties while trying to share music links.

◦ They apologize to the listeners for the inconvenience and express gratitude for their patience.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his experience of running a successful podcast and the importance of investing in oneself.

◦ Ice and Suuii discuss the importance of networking and supporting each other in the music industry.