Iman Jordan

{{short description|American singer-songwriter}} {{BLP sources|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Iman Jordan (formerly Mateo) | image = | landscape = | alt = | caption = 2025 Grammy Best Song for Social Change | birth_name = Iman Jordan | birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | origin = Los Angeles, California | genre = Pop, Alternative R&B, Soul | occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer | instrument = Vocals, piano | years_active = 2007–present | label = MySpace Records, Interscope Records | website = {{URL|www.listentoiman.com/}} }} '''Iman Jordan''' is an American Pop/Alternative R&B singer-songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly known by his stage name '''Mateo'''. He was also formerly signed to the Krucial Noise imprint on Interscope Records, label imprint of Alicia Keys producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers.<ref name="RapUP">[http://www.rap-up.com/2011/03/30/new-music-mateo-love-stadiums-mixtape New Music: Mateo – 'Love & Stadiums' [Mixtape]], Rap-Up, March 30, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> Iman won the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award for his song, "Deliver" during the 2025 Grammy Awards weekend. He has written songs for Rihanna ("Desperado"), Jazmine Sullivan, The Internet, and Alicia Keys, as well as DJDS' "No Pain" featuring Khalid and Charlie Wilson.

==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.<ref>Tracy, Steven. "Going To Cincinnati: A History of the Blues in the Queen City". University of Illinois Press, 1993, p. 148.</ref><ref name="XXL">Salaam, Khalid. [http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2011/06/hip-hop-soul-mateo Kerry Brothers' Newest Signee Steps To The Plate], XXL Magazine, June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> 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.<ref name="HoneyMag">Jackson, Eboyne.[http://www.honeymag.com/2010/honeymag/the-method-mateo The Method: Mateo], HoneyMag, July 29, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref><ref name="XXL" /> After graduation, Iman moved to New York City where he briefly worked as a strategy consultant.<ref name="XXL" />

On June 21, 2016, Iman publicly came out as gay via his Instagram. He wrote, "Over the years, I've created so many faces and have done so many costume changes just to hide the simple fact that I am who I am. I've changed my name. I've worn clothes I didn't like. I've written songs about my most meaningful relationships and changed the pronouns. All for what...to meet my assumed expectation of others." Shortly after, he changed his artist name from Mateo to his birth given name, Iman Jordan.

==Early music career== ===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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030415121631/http://www.mtv.com/onair/meet_the_vjs/bios/index.jhtml?vj=Quddus MTV VJs], MTV. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref>{{Failed verification|date=February 2013}}, who was working at MySpace Records quickly took interest and brought Iman over to the label which signed him nearly on the spot.<ref name="ConcreteLoop1" /><ref>Marie, Michelle.[http://www.younghollywood.com/videos/music/rnb/yh-buzz-meter-mateo.html YH Buzz Meter: Mateo], YoungHollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> 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.<ref name="2DopeBoyz">Shake. [http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2009/03/05/mick-boogie-presents-mateo-underneath-the-sky-mixtape Mick Boogie Presents Mateo – Underneath the Sky (Mixtape)], 2DopeBoyz, March 5, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref><ref name="Okayplayer">Shamz. [http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Mateo-Underneath-The-Sky-Chapter-2-Mixtape.html Mateo – Underneath The Sky Chapter 2 [Mixtape]] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819124200/http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Mateo-Underneath-The-Sky-Chapter-2-Mixtape.html |date=August 19, 2012 }}, Okayplayer, June 10, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref><ref name="ConcreteLoop2">Angel. [http://concreteloop.com/2010/03/new-music-mateo-releases-his-new-mixtape-underneath-the-sky NEW MUSIC: MATEO RELEASES HIS NEW MIXTAPE, "UNDERNEATH THE SKY"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927073134/http://concreteloop.com/2010/03/new-music-mateo-releases-his-new-mixtape-underneath-the-sky |date=September 27, 2010 }}, ConcreteLoop, March 3, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> 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.<ref name="HoneyMag" /><ref name="ConcreteLoop1">Angel. [http://concreteloop.com/2009/09/artist-spotlight-mateo ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MATEO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112112458/http://concreteloop.com/2009/09/artist-spotlight-mateo |date=November 12, 2011 }}, ConcreteLoop, September 11, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref><ref name="Singersroom">[http://www.singersroom.com/news/5389/Mateo-Moves-Forward-With-Sky-Mixtape-Post-Myspace-Split Mateo Moves Forward With 'Sky Mixtape' Post Myspace Split], SingersRoom, March 4, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref>

===2010–2012: Krucial Noise signing, ''Love and 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.<ref name="Complex Mag">{{cite web |last1=Kenner |first1=Rob |title=Interview: Kerry "Krucial" Brothers Introduces His Artist Mateo |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/rob-kenner/interview-kerry-krucial-brothers-introduces-his-artist-mateo |website=Complex |date=November 19, 2012}}</ref> The mixtape serves as his first release under Krucial Noise and includes features from Goapele, Pusha T, Ab-Liva, Gilbere Forte, and Kardinal Offishall.<ref name="RapUP" /><ref name="XXL" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Singersroom's Weekly RnB Picks: Lalah Hathaway, Dez, & Mateo |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/singersrooms-weekly-rnb-picks-lalah-hathaway-dez-mateo-61347/ |magazine=VIBE |date=March 24, 2011}}</ref>

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.<ref name="TheYBF">[http://theybf.com/2011/09/22/fresh-meat-mateos-say-its-so-ft-alicia-keys FRESH MEAT: Mateo's "Say Its So" Ft. Alicia Keys] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072121/http://theybf.com/2011/09/22/fresh-meat-mateos-say-its-so-ft-alicia-keys |date=February 5, 2018 }}, TheYBF, September 22, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.</ref> In September 2011, Iman shot a video for "Say It's So" in New York City, directed by David "Dahveed" Telles.<ref name="Concrete Loop3">[http://concreteloop.com/2011/11/exclusive-video-premiere-mateo-say-its-so/ EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: MATEO – "SAY IT'S SO"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112221057/http://concreteloop.com/2011/11/exclusive-video-premiere-mateo-say-its-so |date=November 12, 2011 }}, ConcreteLoop, November 10, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2012.</ref> The single charted independently on the Billboard 100 and reached No. 40 on the Urban chart, which garnered attention from Larry Jackson and John Ehman at Interscope Records<ref>[https://www.bet.com/article/ysiedw/mateo-to-perform-at-music-matters-showcase Mateo to Perform at Music Matters Showcase, BET.com, June 11, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2025.]</ref>

===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.<ref name="Singersroom3">[http://singersroom.com/content/2012-07-25/EXCLUSIVE-Mateo-Dishes-on-Krucials-New-Label-First-Dates-and-Suite-823-Mixtape/ Mateo Dishes on Krucial's New Label, First Dates, and 'Suite 823' Mixtape], Singersroom, July 25, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2012.</ref>

On August 13, 2013, he released an EP entitled, "We've Met Before" which peaked at No. 3 on the iTunes R&B charts.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul">{{cite web |title=Mateo Releases New EP "We've Met Before" |url=https://youknowigotsoul.com/interscope-recording-artist-mateo-releases-weve-met-before-ep |website=youknowigotsoul.com |date=August 13, 2013}}</ref> "How Good is Your Love" was the official single released from the EP. The video for the single peaked at No. 6 on BET's 106 and Park and in February 2014, he performed the song on VH-1's "Single Ladies".<ref name="BET Countdown">[http://c0untd0wn.com/?m=201311/ BET's 106 & Park], BET Countdown, November 22, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2014.</ref>

In February 2015, he parted ways with Interscope and Krucial Noise.

===2016–2019: Sony ATV signing and self-entitled EP release=== After leaving Interscope and Krucial Noise, Iman was signed to a publishing deal with Sony ATV. He garnered several high-profile placements, they include Rihanna's "Desperado", an artist feature on Robin Shulz "Uncovered" album, four songs on the critically acclaimed FOX TV show "Empire", one of which being performed by Alicia Keys and the new DJDS single, featuring Khalid.

In October 2018, he independently released his first song, "Therapy", from his self entitled EP. This was his first music release under the name Iman Jordan and since leaving Interscope. The entire EP was released on August 2, 2019, and was produced by Glashaus, the production duo consisting of Dan Glashausser and Tom Glashausser. A visual EP was created for every song on the album and released on YouTube.

The album was met with rave reviews and the song "Vibration, was featured on Spotify's Fresh Finds, Study Break, and Alt RnB playlists.

===2020–2021: "Technicolor", "Social Distance", "Freedom Song" and television features=== Iman's 2020 single "Technicolor" was featured in Hulu's Whatever You're Feeling campaign and ''Gay Times'' Magazine, while "Social Distance" appeared on Showtime's The Chi.

During the Black Lives Matter protests, he released "Freedom Song," later featured on ABC's Station 19 and performed at ProGeorgia's Soul Serenade event.

===2022–present: "Odyssey", "State of Emergency", and 2025 Grammy Win=== Iman's song "All Over Again" was featured on The Chi,<ref name="Uproot">[https://uproxx.com/music/the-chi-music-season-6-episode-5/ 'The Chi': Here's The Music You Heard In Season 6, Episode 5], Uproot, September 1, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2025.</ref> and his 2022 EP Odyssey earned praise from Highsnobiety and ''Gay Times'' Magazine. His music landed on Spotify's Fresh Finds and Anti Pop playlists.

On February 1, 2025, Iman Jordan received the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award at the 2025 Grammys for his song, "Deliver," written by himself, Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh.<ref name="Billboard">[https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/harry-belafonte-best-song-for-social-change-award-2025-winner-1235887287/ Here's the 2025 Winner of the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award], ''Billboard'', January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.</ref> "Deliver" and his most recent single, "War", are leading up to a socio-political EP entitled, "State of Emergency".

==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of album and single releases ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Get To Know Me: Live at Swing House'' | * Released: August 13, 2009 * Format: digital download * Label: MySpace Records |- |}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''We've Met Before'' | * Released: August 13, 2013 * Format: digital download * Label: Interscope Records [Krucial Noise] * Charted: #3 iTunes R&B Chart |- |}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Social Distance (Single)'' | * Released: October 21, 2020 * Format: digital download * Label: Musaholic |- |} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Odyssey EP'' | * Released: November 9, 2024 * Format: digital download * Label: Musaholic |- |} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Deliver (Single)'' | * Released: July 9, 2024 * Format: digital download * Label: Musaholic |- |}

===Writing discography=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! style="width:200px;"| Artist ! style="width:300px;"| Album/Single ! Details |- |rowspan=1|2008 |rowspan=1|Jazmine Sullivan | Fearless |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("One Night Stand") |- |rowspan=2|2009 |rowspan=2|Mateo |''Complicated (Single)'' |rowspan=2| Main Writer |- |Get to Know Me: Live at Swing House |- |rowspan=2|2012 |rowspan=2|Mateo |''Say Its So (Single)'' |rowspan=2| Main Writer |- |Suite 823 |- |rowspan=1|2015 |rowspan=1|Alicia Keys | Empire |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("For You") |- |rowspan=2|2016 |rowspan=1|Rihanna | ANTI |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("Desperado") |- |rowspan=1|Serayah | Empire |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("Me"), Co-writer ("Starlight") |- |rowspan=1|2017 |rowspan=1|Robin Schulz | Uncovered |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("Love Me A Little") |- |rowspan=3|2018 |rowspan=1|The Internet | Hive Mind |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("Humble Pie") |- |rowspan=1|DJDS (featuring Khalid, Charlotte Day Wilson) | Big Wave More Fire (DJDS Album)|BIG WAVE MORE FIRE |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("No Pain") |- |rowspan=1|Iman Jordan |Iman EP |rowspan=1| Co-writer (Silence, Therapy, How High, Vibration, Pomona, KYHU, Shallow) |- |2019 |rowspan=1|Lena Meyer-Landrut | Only Love, L (Lena album)|ONLY LOVE, L |rowspan=1| Co-writer ("Sex In The Morning") |- |2024 |Iman Jordan |Odyssey EP |Co-writer (Odyssey, We Got This, The Calling, LYDKY, Prophet$, California, Collard Greens in Paradise, Night and Day (Todos Santos, All Over Again) |- |}

===Mixtapes=== * ''Underneath the Sky Mixtape Ch. 1: Presented by Mick Boogie'' (2009)<ref name="2DopeBoyz" /> * ''Underneath the Sky Mixtape Ch. 2: Presented by DJ Felli Fel'' (2009)<ref name="Okayplayer" /> * ''Underneath the Sky Mixtape Ch. 3: Presented by Tapemasters Inc.'' (2010)<ref name="ConcreteLoop2" /> * ''Love & Stadiums Mixtape: Presented by Krucial Noise'' (2011)<ref name="RapUP" /> * ''Suite 823'' (2012)<ref name="Singersroom3" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.listentoiman.com/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iman}} Category:1986 births Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:American gay musicians Category:Living people Category:Singer-songwriters from Ohio Category:Singers from Cincinnati

Iman Jordan

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