The ex-mayor of the city became a successful musician: the story of CASH ONLY.

The musical journey of CASH ONLY

According to The Sun: CASH ONLY is an artist who has tried himself in various roles: DJ, producer, promoter, record label owner, and even city councilor. However, music has always remained at the center of his life.

He gained popularity thanks to his label Famous When Dead, actively performing on international stages and working on new releases and collaborations with well-known names in the scene.

The influence of music on his life

He recalls: “Weirdly, Heavy Metal had a big influence on me musically in my early teens,” before pirate radio, Jungle mixtapes, and walks through Blackmarket, Uptown, and Unity Records opened his path to music. By the age of 16, he already had “old records.”

However, the story of CASH ONLY is not limited to music alone. After stepping away from the dance scene, he founded UNITY—a social network inspired by the record shop that shaped him. “What started as simply rounding up the local youths from street corners and giving them a safe place to DJ and MC snowballed into multiple private and charitable operations employing nearly 200 people,” he notes.

Today, UNITY is the largest independent group of children’s social shelters for children aged 6 to 16 in the West Midlands, employing over 180 people in 15 locations as part of a 10-year plan. The company was sold in December 2019.

Throughout this time, Matt served as CEO, implementing an innovative approach to providing high-quality, arts-oriented support focused on music.

Return to music

In 2022, Matt became the main investor in a new social aid company, which quickly grew to 8 children’s homes. His involvement in the effort is limited as he created a strong management team to oversee the daily operations.

Despite the heavy responsibilities, music has never left his thoughts. “I always knew I would return,” he admits. This return led to the release of crossover house records, the launch of his own label Famous When Dead, and the management of his wife Sam Divine's label.

“I think I laid the foundation for who I am and what I do, and it's time to get a little more support from my peers in the industry, not just pulling music for the average consumer,” he reflects.

Sam Divine, recognized as the best house DJ last year at the DJ Awards, remains his muse and partner in life and music. “I am very proud of her,” says CASH ONLY.

Collaboration and vision

Matt is most excited about collaboration during music creation. When asked whom he would like to collaborate with from the past, present, and future, he replies: “From the past, James Brown… from the present, CASISDEAD… for the future, I’d probably need to do something with the wife, Sam.” His vision for the label: “I sign artists that I believe in and who I like working with and most importantly, who make music that I can fit into my sets.”

Ibiza shapes his sound and views. “I’ve definitely been taking influence from what I’m hearing and incorporating it into my own productions and DJ sets.” But he is also aware of the challenges of the summer season. “I think when music stops being fun, you have to make some changes and I’d never want to fall out of love with something that has been such a big thing in my life.”

For the next generation, his advice is simple: “Do it because you love music, not because you want that Instagram like or follow. Be patient and be consistent, and most importantly, move with the times.”

Regarding his own future, he says: “I just want to have some fun with the platform I’ve created. I’m grateful for the people who have supported me on this journey so far… in the end, though, I’ll probably be famous when dead.”

CASH ONLY is not just a musician but also an innovator in the field of social aid. His experience in music and social work highlights the importance of integrating creativity into everyday life. His successful return to the music sphere demonstrates resilience and passion, inspiring a new generation of artists.