DJ Big Matt aka Matt Watson
Introduced to classic roots groups such as Culture, Burning Spear and The Wailers in the late seventies by his older brother, Matt started collecting music circa 1980 and began DJing original 60s & 70s Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae beats along with soul and rare groove at local Auckland clubs like Quays, Zanzibar, Collage, Monitor Room, Fingerpop & The Press Club from 1984 onwards.
Moving into the late 80's and early 90's Matt also co-hosted the 'Skavoovie Sound', held periodically at the Gluepot in Three Lamps, showcasing a mix of reggae and ragga with bits of ska and hip-hop thrown in for good measure, these gigs served as a launching point for some then up-and-coming, but now well established, acts. The mid to late 90's saw Matt playing residencies at Kurtz Lounge and Bob Bar, amongst a host of one-off gigs.
Matt co-founded the ‘Downbeat’ show on bFM in 1994 with Michael ‘Mikey Samson’ Wells, presenting this weekly showcase of Jamaican music until May 2004. He then launched ‘Wikidness’ - a weekly open–format drive show on local roots/hiphop station - Base FM. Work commitments in the film industry meant he had to relinquish the spot a year later, but continues to guest-host shows on both stations to this day.
Big Matt has cemented his reputation for delivering a distinctively funky, uptempo & soulful set that seldom fails to delight. While his most well known genres of choice are of course reggae and Jamaican soul, his live set also includes smatterings of latin, funk, r'n'b/soul, hip-hop, jungle, leftfield, house and garage.
His opening sets for touring international acts include Mad Professor, LKJ & Dennis Bovel, Neville Staples’ The Specials and Ska legends The Skatalites,
During the late 90’s he headlined the Downbeat Sound in clashes with Smokers Delight / Bureau de Bashment and Nautilus Hifi (Wgtn). In September 2001, Matt joined co-selector The Chaplin, producer Peter Mac (Dub Asylum), and vocalist Bobbylon (Hallelujah Picassos) to form the Bassteppa Soundsystem, performing regularly through til 2005.
Bassteppa won a four-way soundclash with Jah-Love, Jugglin and the Phat Controllers, supported The International Observer and were crowd faves at the inaugural Raglan Ecofest 2002. Bassteppa rekindled the cross-genre mash-up style in AK, one that is to this day a very popular and has lead to a plethora of new “sounds†and “soundsystems†emerging.
Big Matt’s compadre’s include Stinky Jim, DLT, Slowdeck, Dubhead, Slave, The Chaplin, Peter Mac, Bobbylon, Cian, Manuel Bundy, Grant (Soundboy) Smithies, Submariner, Junior, Mikey Samson, Selecto, Tobi, Jafa Mafia Crew, Jugglin Finn, Dunk tha Funk, Uncle Barney, Benny Staples, Downtown Brown, Mu, Maiden Hong Kong, Atmosphere, Automatic, Top Knot, Prince Alexander, Imon Starr, Asterix, Mr Singh, Captain Neemo, Mr Big Stuff, Lemon, Koa, Otis, Hone, Ruffian, Earl E, Andrew Manning, Bobby Brazuka, Killamanraro, Nick D, DJ Sirvere, Plantmaster Grant, Chip Matthews and many, many others.
Stand out gigs –
“Turnaround†Rising Sun August 2004
“Crisp Biscuits†Wakefield 1997
“Dub Solstice†2002 & NYE 2005 Leigh Sawmill Café
Matakana Y2K
Splore 1998-2004
“Dubble Attack†Khuja Lounge 2003
“Rum & Bass†with Submariner Rotorua 2001
The Gathering 1998/99
The Skatalites 2006
With Roots Foundation Galatos 2002
With Soundboy Nelson 2000
Mad Prof at the The Mill, New Plymouth 2000 & St James 2001
“Bassteppa†launch WBC 2001
to mention but a few.
