Ambassador for World Peace, Advocator to end World Hunger and Poverty. Visionaire. Following a dream I once had. Based On A True Story -Billboard Magazine "He's Got My Attention" -Yahoo.com
Once homeless and broke sleeping behind the B.E.T building in Los Angeles Allen David Forrest Jr. (born February 4, 1981) Also known by the stage name Matchstik or Match, is an American recording artist, rapper, singer/songwriter, music producer, and actor. He is also the founder and CEO of M. Republik Music Group.
Allen has released two studio albums. The Concept album released in Fall of 2009 has over 100,000 digital downloads worldwide. A feature in Billboard magazine and on Yahoo.com's The New Now. Matchstik was the first rapper to make front page headlines in Dothan, AL in the Dothan Eagle newspaper. Matchstik's song Give Back (ft Whitney Phillips) was featured in the Sony movie Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming movie soundtrack. He also was a social media expert on the 2009 SESAC annual Music Boot Camp. His latest single Nothing Is Free is produced by Black Eyed Peas's hit-maker Jean Baptiste. He's recently finished his anticipated acoustic EP titled The Allen Forrest Project which includes That's What I Say featuring Jennifer Åkerman, a singer/model/actress who is the younger sister of the actress Malin Åkerman.
Allen Forrest recently completed his third Rap album titled The Great Awakening due to be released digitally worldwide on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11), of which he is the executive producer. The first single from the album is titled Written In Da Starz (Back Streetz) featuring Lou Lou Malibu.
Early life:
Raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Allen’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide.
Allen’s father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Matchstik’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own. Without a father figure in his life, Matchstik found a home in the streets. It wasn’t long before Matchstik himself began selling drugs.
Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Allen realized he had to turn his life around. Determined not to be a victim of his circumstances, Allen left the street life behind, dropped out of high school and obtained his G.E.D. He also went on to attend college, and subsequently joined the Navy at age 20.
During his journey across the country, Allen had a near fatal car crash when his best friend tried to kill himself and Allen by grabbing the steering wheel and hitting a tractor-trailer as he & Matchstik were traveling to San Diego.
Naval career:
Allen Forrest attended boot camp at The Naval Station, Great Lakes, IL, starting in 2001. After completing boot camp, he attended CTR school at Corry Station in Pensacola, FL. Later, he crossed over to an Operation Specialist to be stationed on the USS Pinckney DDG 91. Upon completing four years of service in the Navy and receiving an honorable discharge and several commendations--including a Good Conduct Medal--he decided to leave the Navy and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast.
Musical Career:
Allen started M. Republik Music Group in Los Angeles, California, in 2005. Match has shared the stage with pop reggae artist Sean Paul, Joe Budden, and several other acts. Allen has worked with notable music producers such as Jean Baptiste (Black Eyed Peas), Mulit-Man (Nelly, BackStreet, J Lewis, Flo Rida) Baily Anderson (Wax, Ray Williams Johnson), Derek Bramble (Faith Hill, Bowie, Whitney, Will Smith, American Idol), and Phonix (The Game). Celebrity photographers such as Hamesh Shahani (Credits: Sir Richard Branson, Beyonc'e' Kanye West, Common) Oleg Kud (Rich Boi, Lupe Fiasco, Wailers, ) Brad Christopher (Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Taryn Southern).
Allen and The 65th United States Secretary of State General Colin Powell At The 42nd Annual NAACP Images Awards. In Los Angeles, CA
Philanthropy:
Allen is the founder of The Good Music And A Good Cause movement which has 378 members, and is a social media advocacy mission to create awareness for charities through social networking. 'The Good Music And A Good Cause' movement was mentioned in Billboard Magazine
[Source]
Wikipedia