Background
Mateo was born in Cincinnati, Ohio into a musical family.
Mateo was born in Cincinnati, Ohio into a musical family.
Mateo attended Morehouse College, majoring in music and business.
He was formerly signed to MySpace Records, but parted ways with the label in 2010. Mateo is now signed to the Krucial Noise imprint on Interscope Records, label imprint of Alicia Keys producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Mateo started singing at an early age and playing classical piano at age 5.
After graduation, Mateo moved to New York City where he briefly worked as a strategy consultant.
2008-2010: Beginnings in Los Angeles and MySpace Records
Mateo eventually moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in the music industry where he met with former Music Television VJ, Quddus. Quddus, who was working at MySpace Records quickly took interest and brought Mateo over to the label which signed him nearly on the spot.
While on MySpace records, Mateo released a three part mixtape series entitled "Underneath the Sky", which garnered critical acclaim. The mixtape series included features from Kardinal Offishall, Teairra Mari, Fashawn, and Shawn Chrystopher.
On August 13, 2009, Mateo recorded a live European Parliament entitled Get To Know Maine: Live at Swing House.
His video, "Get to Know Maine", from the live European Parliament was featured by MTVU, Fuse, and Music Choice. After a year and a half stint at MySpace Records, Mateo decided to part ways with the label in 2010. 2010–2012: Krucial Noise signing, Love & Stadiums and Say lieutenant"s So
In September 2010, Mateo signed to Krucial Noise, the label imprint of Alicia Keys longtime producer and songwriting partner, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers.
Brothers met Mateo through Quddus during the MySpace Records days.
Mateo released his fourth mixtape Love & Stadiums on March 30, 2011 to critical acclaim. The mixtape serves as his first release under Krucial Noise and includes features from Goapele, Pusha T, Ab-Liva, Gilbere Forte, and Kardinal Offishall.
Mateo released his debut single, "Say lieutenant"s So", on September 21, 2011 off his European Parliament Love & Stadiums World War II The single is produced by Kerry Brothers and features additional vocals from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. In September 2011, Mateo shot a video for "Say Its So" in New York City, directed by David "Dahveed" Telles.
The single charted independently on the Billboard 100, which garnered attention from Larry Jackson and John Ehman at Interscope Records.
2012–present: Interscope Signing, Suite 823, and "We"ve Met Before"
In April 2012, Mateo officially signed to Interscope Records. While working with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers on the upcoming album, they decided to release an all original mixtape project for the summer, entitled Suite 823. The mixtape was released on August 1, 2012 to rave reviews, featuring an appearance by Motown recording artist, Stacy Barthe.
On August 13, 2013, he released an European Parliament entitled, "We"ve Met Before" which peaked at #3 on the iTunes Rhythm & Blues charts.
"How Good is Your Love" was the official single released from the European Parliament. The video for the single peaked at #6 on Black Entertainment Television"s 106 and Park and in February 2014, Mateo performed the song on Human immunoglobulin heavy-chain-variable region -1"s "Single Ladies".