The Gospel of HaSizzle

Hasan “HaSizzle” Matthews is a singer, rapper, beatboxer, booty shaker and full-fledged entertainer who has been anointing listeners with his energetic sound for nearly two decades. Matthews has collaborated with local legends such as Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, and Tank and the Bangas. The NOLA native’s work has been extensively sampled by mainstream artists including 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, and Jason Derulo. In 2016, Drake’s highly acclaimed album, Views, sampled HaSizzle on the single “Child’s Play,” catapulting Matthews’ sound into global recognition. Matthews even made a special appearance in Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-centric “Cry Baby” music video in 2020.

I met up with the “Getcha Sum'' and “Wanna Be Love” singer at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The self-proclaimed “mama’s boy” immediately vibed with the artwork and playfully posed for pictures while booty-boppin’ alongside the framed portraits and landscapes on display. We explored the rooftop and galleries while discussing the importance of self love, the artists he admires, and the legacy he'd like to leave his son.

Matthews is now focusing on redefining his art and bringing his uniquely New Orleans style to a much larger audience. From the Calliope Projects to a tour of Europe, HaSizzle preaches positivity and joy…

Read the whole article, by Shirani Jayasuriya, in The New Orleans Arts Rag Volume 1