The prodigy of a musically oriented family, Vallejo resident Ruben Oriol-Rivera had much to live up to when deciding to take on the challenge of the music industry. His father was in a popular band in the 50's and 60's and his cousin, a J Records recording artist, went Platinum. Ruben (known as Matai: a childhood name given by a family friend meaning 'Chief') has been singing since he could utter or mumble a word. With styles in R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, and Reggaeton, this Bay Area pioneer in o...
The prodigy of a musically oriented family, Vallejo resident Ruben Oriol-Rivera had much to live up to when deciding to take on the challenge of the music industry. His father was in a popular band in the 50's and 60's and his cousin, a J Records recording artist, went Platinum. Ruben (known as Matai: a childhood name given by a family friend meaning 'Chief') has been singing since he could utter or mumble a word. With styles in R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, and Reggaeton, this Bay Area pioneer in originality has created his own version of music called 'R & Bay' and 'Bayggaeton.' 'R & Bay' is Matai's idea of R&B with a Bay Area twist and 'Bayggaeton' is his style of Reggaeton mixed with Bay beats. Before the days of 'Bayggaeton' and 'R and Bay' there were the days when his older brother and he started a group called "E-Dive", short for Ethnic Diversity. Their album was released in 1998 and they immediately received local recognition for their soulful sounds and toe-tapping tunes selling over 4,000 copies independently and still sells online and in local stores. With the success of this album, Matai continued to perform locally and eventually released his second album in 2002 entitled "Assemblage" (meaning 'composing into a unified whole') that sold over 5,000 copies independently as well. This album was also nominated for Independent R&B Album of the Year in 2003 from the Los Angeles Music Awards. This modest, hard-worker expected to come home empty handed, but the recognition alone still stands strong.
During the time of his second album release is when the creation of his movement 'R & Bay' and 'Bayggaeton' came to the Bay Area forefront. Matai is not only the originator of this sound, style, and movement, but he is a pioneer and local icon in his community. Matai is none other than a chameleon when it comes to his music and talent. Always changing his style, his sound, and always growing as an artist, Matai never stops learning and never stops incorporating new techniques into his work. Not only is he a singer, but also he is an aspiring actor who graduated from one of Northern California's superior Actor Training Program through Solano Community College where he studied theatre, music, and dance. In 2006, Matai released his third album entitled "Because of You" where musical growth is very apparent and talent shines brighter. Independently pushing these albums (literally) by himself, he sold thousands. Being that this non-stop entrepreneur is currently working on his fourth and fifth albums called "La Introducion" (A Spanish/English album) and "The Man I Am."
Within the years Matai has been in the business, he has collaborated with many artists and even opened for very popular groups such as Next, Naughty By Nature and the Bay Area legend E-40. Matai and dancers also opened for Puerto Rican singer La India, and has performed at the largest Puerto Rican Festival in California. He has associated with artists such as Queen Latifah, Keith Martin, Immature (IMX), and Smokey Robinson, to name a few. Matai has been heard on many compilations that have sold over 50,000 units worldwide and he has collaborated with already-established artists over-seas. Matai continues to grow with every song made and never lacks on creativity. An artist who sets himself apart from the rest and shoots for nothing but the best. An artist or should we say, "Start" on the rise.
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