Matthew Renner, 22, was raised in Stillwater, Minnesota. Being a third generation recording artist, he became interested in the music business at an early age. His father Stevie Renner has been the lead guitarist and vocalist for bands since 1966. Being influenced by his fathers guitar playing, and the music of Eminem, 2Pac, Method Man, Redman, and Brian McKnight, Matthew found his calling.

HHC: When did you and trakciti get started?
Matt D:It basically gos back to 99-2000. Me and Reeg hooked up doing traks in his basement, house parties etc. People were feeling my singing voice and lyrics rapping, also, people where we lived at the time hadn't really ever seen a live turntablist before. They listened to Radio DJ's and shit but he brought the first real turntablism to our burb at that time. Trak citi as a concept and then as a collaboration of solo artists started Early June last year. I was producing traks and had recently quit a good paying job to go full time. I basically accepted I was going to be broke and on the grind for a while but it's where my heart led me. Reeg was busy working but the love for the music was always there. He was actually the one to convince me I needed to spend more energy into perfecting my craft. He brought me out of early retirement so to speak. I guess that's when it materialized, early June 04.

HHC: Who are your influence in hip-hop?
Matt D: I'm influenced in 2 ways. Production and Vocally. My production influences have been Quincy Jones, Neptunes, Havoc, Premier, Pete Rock, Alchemist, Timb/Missy - Recently - I love what Just Blaze is doing, Em has had a good run, Dre's always been nice an underated producer is MF Doom - he's nasty - I'm more influenced by east coast production than west coast I think but overall, I more look at the all around music moguls as influences. People who are not only musically talented but business savy as well. There are so many tight producers I can't possibly name them all.
Vocally- I've been influenced by singers and rappers alike - Rakim, Guru, Nas, Pac, Biggie in a way, Scarface, Jay, Em has most definitley impacted me. What he did has never been done. I love Al Green, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder etc. And here the same applies. I look at the whole package and try to fashion my mindset after who I consider the best and that is a wide range of musicians.

HHC: How many members do you have in your crew names and breif description of them and what is their part in the group would be great!?
Matt D:First let me clarify that Trak Citi is in fact a collaboration of solo artists.
It includes:
Matt D - Executive Producer, Rapper, Singer, Producer, Songwriter.
DJ Reeg - Turntablist, DJ, Mixologist/Producer
Will Fowla - Emcee - Real Talk of St. Paul
Chris Clay - Emcee - Youngest in charge
Envy - Emcee, Producer - Envyous Sound Productions
Young Smartz - Emcee, Resident funny man.
Jazio Blaq - Emcee, Producer, T.V. Show host, Video Producer/Editor - Straight out of Ghana
Mari - Singer, Songwriter, Gorgous with an angelic voice
Zay - Emcee - Hustla, Soldier
Hotskeems - Emcee, Producer, barber
Rip Jaws - Emcee, Hustla, Soldier


We all carry many different responsibilities, and we all have our own voices. But when it comes down to business we're all hustlers after the same goal.

HHC: How many albums do you guys have out and what are they called?
Matt D:As the "Trak Citi Allstarz" We've released 3 Mixtapes in the last 6 months. One of them was limited edition and we only distributed 250 copies. Our 2 recent Mixtapes "The Streets" and "Downtown" are available at the www.v-records.com online store. They are also available at the Electric Fetus and Fifth Element.
The recently released "Downtown" Has 21 original traks includin hit singles, "In my City" "Nod your Hedz" and the Trak off the Tale of 2 Cities compilation "Living in the TC"

HHC: Are you guys workin on any new projects such as albums etc.
Matt D: Right now we are working on a number of new projects. We have 2 more Trak Citi mixtapes to be released in the next 6 months which will be followed shortly after by my first full length self produced album. Yet to be definitly titled. We are also working and recording traks for Will Fowlas debut album as well as Envy's album. Both Untitled. Hotskeems album is finished and will be available to the public shortly.
DJ Reeg will be dropping a Mixtape of Industry takeover ReegMix Blends. A new inovative style of hiphop and turntablism using blend techniques and multiple instrumentals, with new artists and emcees spitting raw fire lyrics. This should be one of the more unique mixes coming out the North this next year.
Don't be surprised if you also see Reeg drop an Exclusive "Matt D" Mixtape before the end of the summer. Early winter we are going to release a mixtape called the classics. This will be a 10 - 15 trak promotional cd featuring old school remixes like you haven't heard much from local acts.
This is a little of what we have going on musically.

HHC: Which out of all your shows that you guys have played would you consider your BEST of the BEST show and why?
Matt D: We love any chance to get out and do what we do. The Annex is a great place to play. Intimate setting good people, good management. The model search at Barfly was hot, we had some wild nights in Rochester. These were some of the early highlights.

By Ang