I turn pain into power, hustle into harmony. My story’s real, my sound’s raw—I’m what the industry’s been missing. #McClusterIsHere
Thank you for generously supporting Matthew McCluster in this year's competition. Your participation allows us to empower Global Citizen in their mission to eradicate extreme poverty and create a world where everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
Who or what is your musical inspiration?
My music is inspired by survival—growing up in one of Connecticut’s most violent cities, surviving homelessness, and finding peace through rhythm. I channel the pain of betrayal, systemic oppression, and street trauma into anthems of education and empowerment. I’m inspired by the unheard voices. I am the sound of the unheard.
How would performing at the Global Citizen Festival impact your career?
It would prove that someone who was once sleeping in a car can stand on the world’s biggest stage and still speak for the streets. My mission is to use performance as protest, to teach consumer law, technology, and sovereignty through art. Global Citizen is more than a platform—it’s my pulpit.
What would you do with $50,000?
I’d build a mobile recording and media lab to bring professional resources to underserved youth. From car dealerships to documentary films, I use creativity as currency. This $50K would flip into generational value: educating through music, empowering with media, and opening doors that were welded shut on people like me.
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You decide who will appear in Rolling Stone, win $50,000, and perform at the Global Citizen Festival in NYC.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like America’s Next Top Hitmaker, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
