I’ll tell ya something: I moved to Seattle as a direct result of knowing Matt Spek Watson. He and I went to middle school and high school together, and, during a difficult time in my life, he seemed like one of my only friends. In college, despite going to different schools, we hung out regularly, often spending entire weekends together. He taught me about making music, provided a safe place for me to create and talk for what seemed like the first time about real issues like death, love, poetry and fear. 

This is why his music – which, ever since he moved to the Emerald City, has always focused on the richness of Seattle and the beautiful collaborations possible here – has continually meant so much to me, both as a friend and as an artist.

His latest song, “Home Of The Mighty (ft. Perry Porter & Paolo Escobar)” seems the obvious progression of this past decade of work. The title alone speaks to the grandness of both his vision and appreciation of his home city.

“It’s bad enough,” he raps on the track, “it’s dark and the rain’s constant. The 206 deserves less of the same nonsense. If you’re not pushin’ forward then congratulations you’re the one I’m looking to war with.”

His aim, his mission, is clear: rep the town.

And, furthermore, the work he’s done scoring the movie Enemy Within by United Artists Initiative, which features all original music by Spek and Nate Omdal (who wrote a suite of music the two recorded and Spek arranged, adding electronics), shows two things: that Spek is comfortable going back to his east coast b-boy-inspired roots, and that he’s doing so by using what he’s learned here in Seattle. The techniques he’s honed from working with Nate and other artists like Evan Flory-Barnes, Soulchilde and Michele Khazak – all these people who have buoyed Spek and who Spek has buoyed in return. This is the culture he is exploring and exporting.

So, maybe now is the time to offer my advice: Spek, despite having already gone viral in world media outlets, is still an up-and-coming artist here. Strangely, this does not hinder his work. Instead, it motivates it. It’s obvious that he knows, as all the best of us here in Seattle know, the truth to good work is collaboration amongst those who want to – and love to – collaborate. Simply for the sake of finding the best in each other.

As of now, these projects, Enemy Within and “Home Of The Mighty”, are yet to be released – but, keep an eye out for them. Spek will let you know via his Facebook page or Twitter account when they’re out – he has to. We need it.