We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Khari Mateen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Khari below.

Khari, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

The journey to earning a full-time living from my creative work wasn’t immediate. Some times it can still be difficult, I supplemented income from freelance projects while building my portfolio and client base. Networking played a crucial role; connecting with peers and industry professionals opened doors to collaborations and referrals. I moved out of large city and I think that help to keep costs down. Reflecting on my journey, I realize the importance of patience and persistence. Knowing what I know now, I might have accelerated the process if I had thought to move out of the big city’s earlier.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hey there! I’m Khari Mateen, a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans across different genres and media. Originally from Bakersfield, California, I moved to Philadelphia when I was 17 to kickstart my career in music. It was there that I really got into the industry, learning the ropes from some incredibly talented mentors who later became friends.

I got my first big break at just 19, contributing to The Roots’ Grammy-nominated album Game Theory. From there, I continued working with them on albums like Rising Down and Undun, which were also Grammy-nominated. Along the way, I’ve collaborated with artists like Jill Scott, James Poyser, and Cody Simpson, playing various roles from band member to musical director.

Aside from performing, I’ve released four solo albums and teamed up with Atlanta rapper STS on a collaborative project. I’ve also ventured into composing for film and TV, starting with the feature film Explicit Ills in 2008. One of my notable projects was scoring the Sundance TV series Brick City, which earned Emmy and Peabody Awards.

Recently, I’ve been diving into documentaries, scoring films like Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal for Netflix, LulaRich for Amazon Prime, and Stockton on My Mind for HBO. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunities to blend my music with storytelling on such diverse platforms.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

You know, I don’t think I have a huge following on social media, but the folks I do connect with, we have a good vibe going. I really enjoy expressing myself through memes and GIFs; they capture my emotions so well. Social media’s cool, but I also need my space from it. There’s just so much going on every day, you know? Gotta keep a healthy balance. I’m more into educational stuff anyway; it’s enriching and keeps me engaged.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I find great fulfillment in witnessing the profound impact that films and artists I collaborate with have on others. Each interaction teaches me more about myself, fostering personal growth. I’ve embraced art not only as a means of sustaining myself but also as a powerful outlet for self-expression. Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced numerous opportunities to deepen my understanding of staying true to my artistic vision. While it’s easy for artists to feel constrained by boundaries, I now see it all as part of a unified creative process. I’m not entirely sure if this perspective is universally accepted, but I’ve reached a point where external validation matters less to me than staying true to my artistic integrity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Kharimateenmusic.com
• Instagram: @kharrari
• Facebook: Khari Mateen
• Twitter: @kharrari
• Youtube: @kharrari

Image Credits

Khari Mateen