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

Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I discovered I could sing when I was about four years old, and from about five until now I’ve continued developing my musicianship. Along the way I learned how to play drums, piano, and bass. I was fortunate to have great teachers and mentors who poured into me. From my piano teacher, Ms. Walker, to the brothers at church who taught me drums, growing up in church played a huge role in shaping me musically. Singing regularly and learning from incredible vocalists, especially my mentor Will Saunders, helped refine my voice and discipline as an artist.

When it comes to content creation, that was something I had to intentionally study and practice. I spent time observing and learning from other great creators, figuring out what worked and what connected with audiences. I truly believe I wouldn’t be KOOPAH the artist without also becoming KOOPAH the content creator. Shout out to my guy Sensational Ron for putting me in a position to grow in that space, because developing as a content creator helped me learn how to market my music and build a stronger connection with my audience.

Looking back, if I could speed up my learning process, I would’ve focused more on building confidence in myself earlier. Believing in my talent, staying connected with the right creatives and musicians, and trusting my instincts would have accelerated a lot of my growth.

Some of the most essential skills for me have been video editing, networking, creative direction, and songwriting. Those skills allow me not only to make the music but also to shape the vision and share it with the world.

Honestly, the biggest obstacle in my journey has been myself. Self-doubt can slow you down if you let it. If I had believed in myself more and moved with greater confidence earlier on, I probably would have progressed faster in many areas. But every step of the journey has helped shape who I am today as both an artist and a creator.

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.

My name is Matthew Cooper, and I perform under the artist name KOOPAH. I’m an R&B artist with strong Caribbean influences, and my work blends soulful vocals with sounds and rhythms that reflect my background and culture. My goal is to create music and content that feel authentic, relatable, and rooted in the energy of the Caribbean while still connecting with a wide audience.

Music has always been a natural part of my life. Growing up around it gave me the opportunity to develop not only my voice but also my understanding of musicianship and performance. Over time, that passion turned into a commitment to creating original music and building a brand that represents both my artistry and my culture. My creative work includes recording and releasing original songs, performing live, and producing digital content that allows people to experience my personality and perspective beyond just the music.

What makes my approach different is that I see artistry as more than just making songs. I focus heavily on storytelling, presentation, and building a relationship with the audience. In today’s world, being an artist also means being able to communicate your vision visually and digitally. Because of that, I’m very involved in the creative process behind my content—from creative direction to editing and developing ideas that bring attention to the music in an engaging way.

Through my music and content, I aim to create moments that people can connect with. Whether it’s a relatable situation, a cultural reference, or simply a good vibe, I want listeners and viewers to feel like they’re part of the experience. My work often reflects real-life emotions, humor, and everyday situations, which helps people see themselves in the stories I tell.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the ability to build something independently while staying true to who I am. Every release, performance, and piece of content contributes to a larger vision of establishing a brand that represents creativity, culture, and authenticity.

For potential listeners, collaborators, and supporters, the main thing I want them to know is that everything I create comes from a genuine place. My brand is built on the idea that music should bring people together, celebrate culture, and create experiences that last beyond the moment someone hears the song.

As KOOPAH continues to grow, my focus remains on expanding my reach, performing for new audiences, and continuing to create music and content that people can feel, relate to, and enjoy.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the habit of looking for a “green light” to be great. For a long time, I operated under the assumption that if I didn’t have a chorus of validation from my parents, my friends, and my circle, then my vision wasn’t valid. I was essentially outsourcing my self-esteem to a committee that didn’t even have the full blueprint of my life.

Where did that doubt come from?
It came from a place of wanting to be “good” by everyone else’s standards. I grew up thinking that strength was about how much of other people’s expectations I could carry. But that kind of strength is heavy and, eventually, it makes you stall. I found myself constantly checking the rearview mirror to see if everyone was still nodding in approval. If they weren’t, I’d slow down.

I had to realize that “greatness” is a solo mission before it’s a public one. I had to build a much deeper, quieter kind of self-confidence—the kind that doesn’t need to be announced. I stopped asking, “Do you think I can?” and started telling myself, “I am.”

I’ve gotten a lot better at silencing the noise. My North Star has shifted. I’m no longer trying to make my past or my peers proud; I’m focused on the version of me I’m still becoming. Every move I make now is a down payment on her happiness. If I can look at the woman I’m growing into and know I didn’t betray her potential for a cheap pat on the back, then I’ve already won.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My journey on social media began with a simple mission: to bring motivation and inspiration to people’s feeds. I took the platform seriously from day one, but the real evolution happened over several years as I transitioned into making music. I had to bridge the gap between being a “voice of encouragement” and being a “creator of art.” I didn’t just want to be another account someone scrolled past; I wanted to be the reason they stopped.

To make that transition work, I had to stop just “posting” and start “creating.” I became a student of the algorithm. I studied the greats who came before me—the ones who successfully turned a digital following into a real-world career. I realized that to be a successful artist today, you have to embrace being a content creator. You have to understand the mechanics of how people consume media, how to hook an audience in the first three seconds, and how to tell a story that resonates.

If you’re just starting, my biggest piece of advice is twofold: Be a student, but never lose yourself.

Study the Blueprint! Look at the creators you admire. Dissect their timing, their consistency, and how they engage. There is a wealth of knowledge in the tracks they’ve already laid down.

Don’t Chase the Trend, Chase the Truth! It’s easy to get lost in what’s “viral” or what the algorithm wants today. But the only thing that doesn’t have a shelf life is authenticity. People can smell a performance from a mile away. You have to be yourself—boldly and unapologetically.

Consistency is Key! You won’t find your voice on the first post, or even the fiftieth. You find your voice by showing up every day and being willing to learn in public.

Study the greats to learn the how, but stay grounded in yourself to remember the why. When you combine technical skill with a genuine heart, that’s when the audience starts to feel like a community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/koopahofficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luvkoopah
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/AnT3ZvmdVyauBTwA/?mibextid=hu50Ix
• Twitter: https://x.com/officialkoopah
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@OfficialKoopah
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jsU1EVAMnguaog2YA
• Other: TikTok:

  https://www.tiktok.com/@officialkoopah

  Apple Music:

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/koopah/1728593367

  Spotify:

Image Credits

@shadow__optics
@rachelcara.photos
@lowkeylens
@mpphotograpyy