Mat “Preach” Slater is an urban pop entertainer from Montreal, Canada, whose career has spanned almost 18 years beginning as a professional dancehall DJ spinning alongside acts such as DJ Clue, David Rodigan and Tony Matterhorn while still in high school, eventually turning to songwriting, performance and recording.
In 2003 Preach joined the Kalmunity Vibe Collective, Canada’s longest running improv collective and has since become known as their resident m.c. Hailed as an energe...
Mat “Preach” Slater is an urban pop entertainer from Montreal, Canada, whose career has spanned almost 18 years beginning as a professional dancehall DJ spinning alongside acts such as DJ Clue, David Rodigan and Tony Matterhorn while still in high school, eventually turning to songwriting, performance and recording.
In 2003 Preach joined the Kalmunity Vibe Collective, Canada’s longest running improv collective and has since become known as their resident m.c. Hailed as an energetic seasoned performer, his talents have been showcased at over 600 events, including famed festivals such as Osheaga, Montreal Jazz Fest, Toronto’s Hot & Spicy and Hennessy’s Art of Blend, to name a few. Preach has also shared stages with legendary acts such as Public Enemy, Chucky Booker, Reuben Studdard, Smif & Wessun and Buckshot. He has even broke language barriers by sharing studio and writing sessions with prominent Quebecois artists like Jean Leloup and Jacynthe and had the privilege of joining the esteemed Sonia Benezra for an on stage duet.
Preach had the honor of being awarded the 2005 Canada Council for the Arts Spoken Word and Storytelling Grant, as well as garnering a silver auddy award from Allhiphop.com for work on his debut album Voice of the Streets. He has also been ranked amongst the top ten local hip hop acts according to the Montreal Mirror Readers Poll.
Communally minded and socially aware, Preach has been involved with outreach in his city since 2006. He previously worked alongside Head and Hands directing their hip hop program for youth aged 12-17. He is also known as a fiery orator who has been invited to speak in high schools and community centers about topics ranging from personal development to black history.
As of 2011 Preach has had his music featured on an array of film & television soundtracks such as VH1’s Single Ladies, ABC Family Switched at Birth, A&E’s The Glades & Paul Arcand’s Derapages, to name a few. He was also heavily involved with the musical composition for Cristal Films Sur Le Rythme, which landed him a summer long spot on the Musique Plus top ten video countdown for his single One More Chance. Preach is also featured on Cirque du Soleil’s Totem Soundtrack for their legendary live tour.
Though born in Canada, Preach is mainly influenced by his island heritage. He grew up primarily listening to traditional Caribbean music alongside top 40 pop, but eventually fell into urban underground during his teens. He found a love for fusion throughout his years of music exploration and over time has developed a palate and sound that is unique yet honest to his culture as well as his melting pot of a city that is Montreal.
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