There was a time when Matt Pokora had all the musical sensation with expiration date. Singer, dancer, handsome guy, smoldering look and streetwear… In 2006, he set the dance floors ablaze with Showbiz. Then, against all odds, this winner of the tele-hook Pop stars gradually established himself as one of the major figures of French song. He even released a very underrated album, produced in particular by the renowned American beatmaker Timbaland. Matt Pokora also crossed paths with the superstar Madonna which gave him a hard time personally.
Matt Pokora, his debut with Linkup then a solo triumph
Nor MatthieuTotaMatt Pokora, known as Mr. Pokora for a time, broke into Music thanks to the successful talent show Popstars. It’s 2003, Matt emerges as the big winner in the competition by joining the boy band Linkup. If the band is a hit with the song My starMatt Pokora has dreams of grandeur. And, above all, of a solo career.
A year after the success of the Linkup album, Matt Pokora slammed the door of the group, following in the footsteps of his idols such as Michael Jackson or JustinTimberlake. He released his first album, M. Pokorawhich contains the tubes Showbiz et She controls me. Matt Pokora becomes the singer of the moment but he still aspires to more: longevity.
Matt Pokora collaborated with US cream on MP3
It’s not easy to survive in a profession as competitive as French song. Especially at a digital turning point which will see streaming platforms arrive very quickly. Matt Pokora is doing pretty well. After his first solo, he continued with the aptly titled Player. We sense American inspirations in him. He needs even more: the American dream!
Thus, in 2008, Matt Pokora published MP3. His most ambitious, most advanced, most accomplished solo album. He surrounds himself with the crème de la crème of US music, both on the rap that of R&B. The album is notably produced by the big name Timbaland who made sounds for Missy Elliott, The Game, Nelly Furtado or even Justin Timberlake.
Matt Pokora: return to grace and tribute to Claude François
Unhappy, upon arrival, MP3 is a semi-failure in France even if its main single, Dangerousis a hit in several countries. Matt Pokora blames the blow. He points the finger at the record company then in the middle of a social plan. The other singles of MP3 go unnoticed despite the quality of the “American-style” project. The US period is short.
Matt Pokora returns to the top two years later with the hit Just a photo of you. Fans see it as resurrection of the singer ofShe controls me. He became bankable again, triumphed at the NRJ Music Awards, became a juror on Dancing with the Stars and The Voice. In 2016, he released My Wayan album on which he covers standards from ClaudeFrançois. Matt is at the top.
Madonna gives Matt Pokora an artistic lesson
In an interview with AmuseBouche, Matt Pokora candidly recounts his meeting with Madonna: “I trained with her. I was at her house.” He adds: “I’m going to New York for ten days, I’m training with Brahim [Zaïbat, alors compagnon de Madonna, NDLR] […] I find myself with Brahim at the table with his children and Madonna.”
Matt Pokora details the evening: “[Elle] is very cool, I learn a lot, I ask questions, I see his way of functioning, of working.” The French singer then finds himself in the studio with her to see her finalize a project. She then invites him to train with her. “I know Madonna is a war machine.”, balance Pokora.
The artist finds himself training with the pop megastar. “After 12 minutes, I start to see stars!” Madonna him balance “Come on, bitch !” to encourage him. Matt Pokora is in difficulty then vomits in the toilet. “Since that day, my workouts haven’t been the same […] I learned a lot [de Madonna].” Life, the hard one, the real one.
