In the over three decades of his hiatus from music, DJ Matrix (né Demetrius Ford) became a Navy serviceman, Marine, stockbroker, and entrepreneur. Imagine his surprise when he was shaken from his rest with the realization that thousands of people across the nation, especially in underground electro and Miami bass circles, still remembered his name. In a genre that never truly died, only hibernated, his early work had become a cult classic. That rediscovery has fueled one of the most electrifying comebacks of the year, culminating in his brand-new single “Hypnotic”.
DJ Matrix first emerged on the scene in the late 1980s while serving in the military. His early tracks, including It’s Time to Rock and Feel My Bass, showcased a unique blend of electro beats and vocoder-driven vocals that captured the attention of club-goers and breakdancers alike. But just as his music career was taking off, duty called, first with the Navy, then the Marine Corps during Desert Storm, and the burgeoning music career was put on hold.
“I had two young kids, and I felt it was too risky to continue with my style of music back then,” Matrix recalls. “Little did I know, my songs were blowing up across Europe without me even knowing.”
The spark for his return came in February 2024, when a fan from the UK connected him with his childhood inspiration, The Egyptian Lover. “I got excited but nervous at the same time,” Matrix says. “I haven’t done anything in music in 36 years. I didn’t even know if it was still in me to make music again at that level. But after talking to him, the fire was lit!”
The collaboration with The Egyptian Lover, a legend in Electro and Miami Bass, was a dream realized. Matrix describes the creative process as immediate and intuitive: “I started visualizing a monster comeback track, something that would light up the club and appeal to both my longtime fans and a new generation. I pulled over while driving to hum a bassline and melody into my phone, I just had to capture it before it vanished. That’s how “Hypnotic” was born.”
“Hypnotic” balances classic Miami Bass roots with subtle modern influences. “It’s got real structure, verses, chorus, a break… it moves you,” Matrix explains. “It’s not just a static beat; it’s almost like two songs in one. I even designed parts for DJs to scratch and transition seamlessly, because I’ve been there. DJs matter.”
Stepping back into the studio after decades away was both a challenge and a revelation. “I had to relearn how to put what was in my head down into sound,” he says. “It was overwhelming at first, so many new tools, so many sounds, but it felt natural. I always felt I was going to come back stronger, and I did.”
Beyond music, Matrix’s life experiences, from serving in the military to founding M2M Capital, a minority-to-minority business incubator, have shaped his approach. “I want to give back, help other artists break into the business, and produce music that leaves a legacy,” he says, comparing his vision to the modern producer model popularized by DJ Khaled and Dr. Dre: guiding projects, collaborating, and amplifying talent without always being front and center.
The emotional impact of reconnecting with fans has been profound. “Seeing people in London bringing their vinyl of Feel My Bass to get signed, that was humbling. These songs I put out decades ago still resonate, and now I have the chance to create new music that touches people in the same way.”
Looking forward, Matrix is focused on more than just “Hypnotic”. He has plans for a full album and collaborations with both established and rising artists. And for his family, the comeback carries personal significance. “My kids and grandkids never even knew this part of my life. Now they see it, and it’s changed the energy in our house. They look at me differently, they see a legend.”
As for the legacy he hopes to leave, DJ Matrix keeps it simple: “I want to keep the spirit of ’80s Electro alive, introduce it to new generations, and keep people dancing. That’s what it’s all about.”
With “Hypnotic”, DJ Matrix proves that true talent transcends decades, and that the bass never really stops.
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