ON THE RISE
California-born musician and electro-bass legend DJ Matrix makes a striking return to music after nearly 37 years with his new single, “Hypnotic”. Known for his pioneering work blending electro, Miami bass, and ambient textures, DJ Matrix’s latest release channels a lush mix of ambient-pop and electronic soul – a sound that nods to his early days while landing squarely in today’s ‘80s revival. The track’s rich, atmospheric layers emerged almost instinctively, with the bassline and melody arriving in a moment of pure creative flow – a state that would ultimately inspire its name.
“The bassline and melody came to me when I was driving. It just jumped into my head. I had to get off the road and hum into my phone so I wouldn’t forget it. I was so excited, I did a U-turn and went back to lay it down in the studio. Then when I shared the instrumental track with Egypt, he said, ‘That’s the one! That’s your comeback single! But what are we gonna call it?’ And that flow just spoke to us – it was hypnotic, it puts you in a trance,” shared DJ Matrix.
After more than three decades away from the keys, the drums, and even a lyric sheet, the music returned to DJ Matrix as if it had never left. With the exception of The Egyptian Lover’s verse, he wrote, mixed, and produced “Hypnotic” entirely himself. The track carries his signature electro-Miami bass foundation, but if you listen closely, there’s also a subtle hip-hop flair to the flow of the lyrics.
“In the 37 years since I released “Feel My Bass,” I’ve listened to all different types of music and fallen in love with all of them. I’m not that same 19- or 20-year-old guy who was only interested in dance music; I’ve matured and wanted to include some new elements. I do have a huge fan base, but a lot of those guys are my age. When I put that music out back then, it was a time when you had a lot of different styles of music coming out and competing – hip-hop was just starting, neo-soul, new jack swing, house. I want to keep that audience, but I also want to bring in a newer, bigger audience,” said DJ Matrix. “Those who weren’t around to enjoy the awesome sounds of the 80’s in real life, I want them to get a taste of it now, but with splashes of what’s hot today layered in.”
Although “Hypnotic” feels like a long-awaited homecoming, DJ Matrix hadn’t planned on returning to music at all. If not for an unexpected Facebook message, the song might never have been born. About a year and a half ago, an artist from the UK reached out to him, asking if he was the same DJ Matrix who recorded “It’s Time to Rock” and “Feel My Bass” — and if so, could he pass along his contact info to The Egyptian Lover, who had an entire network of people trying to track him down. Intrigued and flattered, DJ Matrix agreed immediately. After all, he’d been a massive fan of The Egyptian Lover since the mid 80’s. They had even come from the same neighborhood in Los Angeles, though their paths only crossed once. So, when the legendary “King of the 808” reached out to collaborate, the answer was an easy yes.
“I felt a lot of excitement, but also anxiety. I hadn’t played a single note, programmed a single beat, written or produced anything in 36 years. I didn’t want to disappoint Egypt or my fan base. 36 years is a long time to be away from anything if the goal is to pick up right where you left off, especially when the tools of the trade have changed so much. But when I realized I had the chance to do again what I loved all those years ago, it just felt right. My kids are grown now, and they didn’t even know DJ Matrix. They never had a chance to see me perform or hear my music playing on the radio. When I left the industry because of my military commitments, I walked away from music completely and never looked back. I didn’t even talk about it, but now I have been blessed with the opportunity to show my kids that side of me,” continued DJ Matrix. “So, I built a studio in my house and taught myself how to make music again. Back then, everything was analog, so the learning curve was huge. I lived on YouTube tutorials, but eventually, it all started to come back to me, and before I knew it, DJ Matrix was reborn.”
Music has always been in DJ Matrix’s blood — his mother and stepfather were both singers who toured with legends like The O’Jays and The Spinners. He grew up surrounded by music, from playing drums in church by the age of six to enjoying the music spilling from porches and street corners throughout his neighborhood. Inspired by The Egyptian Lover in high school, he began DJing neighborhood house parties with his crew “Intense Heat” and carried that passion into his Navy years, spinning at the base nightclub and as a headlining DJ at major dance parties sponsored by independent record label Jam City Records nearby. That connection led to the release of his debut single, “It’s Time to Rock,” in 1986 — all while serving in the US Navy. After serving four years in the Navy, he enlisted into the US Marines. It was during this transition that he left Jam City and formed his own independent label, Bad Boy Records, and in 1988, released “Feel My Bass.” Unfortunately, due to Desert Storm and the Gulf War, DJ Matrix could no longer promote or support the music, and he literally disappeared without a trace, leaving fans all over the world scratching their heads and wondering what happened to him.
“It wasn’t me who chose to come back; it was the guy who got me started in music almost four decades ago who pulled me back in, and I can’t tell you what that means. When Egypt said, ‘You need to come back. People all over the world still love you. Let’s launch you and feature me,’ it was surreal to have this guy want to be featured on my song, instead of me just collaborating on one of his. During our first conversation, I told him I didn’t know if I was the same guy anymore, then he sent me some YouTube links to my old songs, and I saw people all over the planet still vibin’ to them, comments going back 15 to 20 years. That brought me to tears – before he proved it to me, I didn’t even know I had a fan base like that. I had no idea my music had touched the lives of so many. Egypt’s music made me want to DJ and emulate his style as an artist, and now he’s the one bringing me back? It’s a full circle moment; it felt preordained. I had to jump in with both feet. Who knows where this goes from here?” enthused DJ Matrix.
Released in early August, “Hypnotic” was originally planned as a standalone single, but the global fanfare, critical praise, and interest from multiple legendary artists now have DJ Matrix committed to a full album by early 2026. A new single is already in the works for release in the coming months, and according to DJ Matrix, it might be even better than “Hypnotic.” He recently appeared in-store with The Egyptian Lover in Miami on August 9 and will follow with another in London on August 29. So, stay tuned to his socials for all the latest updates, and in the meantime, enjoy “Hypnotic” on all music streaming platforms.
“I can’t express how much it means to me that the man who first lit the fire in me is the one who brought me back. I’m not just here to honor my fans, but to introduce a new generation to this sound, including my kids, the same way he inspired me. And, if I can open some new doors for him this time, it would rank as one of my biggest accomplishments.” said DJ Matrix.
ON THE RISE
Houston artist Skyve knows what it feels like to carry weight you didn't realize was yours. His latest single, "Eternal Time," released July 7th, moves fast and hits harder with under two minutes of guitar-forward energy that somehow manages to feel upbeat and contemplative at once. There's a throwback quality to it, too; the pacing and chord choices carry a distinctly 90s sensibility, the kind of arrangement that trusts a hook to land without over-explaining itself.
Skyve drifts easily between rapping and singing, carrying the song with an unhurried confidence. It's a track about the people and patterns we hold onto long after they've stopped serving us and the strange, freeing ache of finally setting them down.
"It's about taking a step back and finding the things in people that are holding you back or hurting you, and you don't realize it at first," says Skyve. "It's hard to let go of those things and those people, but it will make you a better person."
Born Stryker Johnson, Skyve has been building toward this moment since childhood: making beats on an iPad before he could drive, then on his phone, and eventually in FL Studio, where he landed three years ago. He's 19 now wth “Eternal Time” marking his 11th project, but the first he's genuinely proud of, the kind of song he finds himself coming back to on his own time.
True to his instinct for range, he sings, raps, and plays guitar, with no interest in staying in one lane. 'I do a lot to explore,' he explains, adding that piano, drums, and even banjo are next on his list. For now, he places this project in indie rock territory with an indie pop lean — guitar-driven, melodic, and resistant to easy categorization.
"If I had to categorize my sound, I'd say indie, more than anything. A more creative feeling. Not like the standard sound music offers today," explains Skyve.
On "Eternal Time," Skyve co-wrote and produced alongside a collaborator who helped shape the guitar melodies and the song's overall flow, with both contributing to the drum programming. The lyrics, though, are his alone — as they always are.
"It depends, but I do maybe 50 percent of my own stuff," he shares of his process more broadly. "This one was with a producer who helped lay down some melodies on guitar and get the flow started. But I always write all my lyrics."
The release came with a rare milestone: a live show two weeks prior, marking one of Skyve's first times performing guitar in front of an audience. "It was a little nerve-racking," he admits, "but it ended up being fun overall."
"Eternal Time" isn't tied to an album or EP; it stands on its own, at least for now. But Skyve is already looking ahead. "I do have an album coming out this fall," reveals Skyve. "I'm still working on getting more details, but that's something I want to walk fans through."
For an artist who insists he can't imagine doing anything but music, Skyve's approach feels less like a career plan and more like a compulsion toward honesty. “I don't want to bring a single song or idea to the grave with me,” he reflects — a line that could double as his mission statement. “Eternal Time” is proof he's already living it, one unfinished thought at a time.
“Eternal Time” is now available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR. With an album on the way this fall, it's clear Skyve is just getting started, so be sure to follow along on social media to catch what's next.
