Name Iman Jordan Birth name Iman Jordan Labels Interscope Records Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter Role Singer | Instruments vocals, piano Education Morehouse College Years active 2006–present Record label Interscope Records | |
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Born August 13, 1986 (age 38) Cincinnati, Ohio, United States ( 1986-08-13 ) Origin Los Angeles, California Albums Suite 823, Unperfekt, Christmas With A Metalhead Genres Pop music, Contemporary R&B, Soul music, Alternative rock Similar People Itchyban, Danna Paola, Commander Tom | ||
Mateo get to know me official music video
Iman Jordan (born August 13, 1986) formerly known by his stage name Mateo, is an American pop/R&B singer-songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was formerly signed to the Krucial Noise imprint on Interscope Records, label imprint of Alicia Keys producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers.
Contents
- Mateo get to know me official music video
- Personal life
- 200810 Beginnings in Los Angeles and MySpace Records
- 20102012 Krucial Noise signing Love Stadiums and Say Its So
- 20122015 Interscope Signing Suite 823 and Weve Met Before
- Mixtapes
- References
Personal life
Iman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio into a musical family. His grandfather, Freddy Jordan was a jazz and session guitarist at the historic King Records where he played for the likes of James Brown, Freddie King, and Charles Brown. His grandmother was a singer who toured Canada and the northeastern United States. Iman started singing at an early age and playing classical piano at age 5. He attended Morehouse College, majoring in music and business. After graduation, Iman moved to New York City where he briefly worked as a strategy consultant.
2008–10: Beginnings in Los Angeles and MySpace Records
Iman eventually moved to Los Angeles, in California, where he began performing under the name Mateo and pursued a career in the music industry. He met with former MTV VJ, Quddus., who was working at MySpace Records quickly took interest and brought Iman over to the label which signed him nearly on the spot. While on MySpace records, he 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, Iman recorded a live EP entitled Get To Know Me: Live at Swing House. His video, "Get to Know Me", from the live EP was featured by MTVU, Fuse, and Music Choice. After a year and a half stint at MySpace Records, Iman decided to part ways with the label in 2010.
2010–2012: Krucial Noise signing, Love & Stadiums and Say It's So
In September 2010, he signed to Krucial Noise, the label imprint of Alicia Keys longtime producer and songwriting partner, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Brothers met him through Quddus during the MySpace Records days. He 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.
Iman released his debut single, "Say It's So", on September 21, 2011 off his EP Love & Stadiums II. The single is produced by Kerry Brothers and features additional vocals from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. In September 2011, Iman shot a video for "Say Its So" in New York City, directed by David "Dahveed" Telles. The single charted independently on the Billboard 100 and reached #40 on the Urban chart, which garnered attention from Larry Jackson and John Ehman at Interscope Records.
2012–2015: Interscope Signing, Suite 823 , and "We've Met Before"
In April 2012, he 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 EP entitled, "We've Met Before" which peaked at #3 on the iTunes R&B charts. "How Good is Your Love" was the official single released from the EP. The video for the single peaked at #6 on BET's 106 and Park and in February 2014, he performed the song on VH-1's "Single Ladies".
In February 2015, he parted ways with Interscope and Krucial Noise.