Over instrumentation that sounds like Ray Charles meets funk meets boombap, Arkansas-born artist Wic Whitney has a banger with “Matcha.” It’s a song I really like and one I liked from the jump. That’s because it’s fun but real, honest but a bit of snark still exudes from the track. Additionally, the production is unique in the sense it’s not fully rap-based and pulls from a lot of genres. That said, the most important reason why I rock with “Matcha” is that the narrator lives his truth. And I love that, for him and everyone.

Regardless of potentially being called “the F-word” and being chastised for his sexuality, the narrator, who I’d assume is some version of Wic Whitney,lets us peek into his love life. The song is not all sunshine and lollipops. For example, he gets ghosted during the course of the song. Even through that, the fun-yet-honest feel to “Matcha” is incredible. Plus, from a lyrical standpoint, Wic Whitney’s got a healthy dose of BARS. Like BARS bars.

As someone who recently came out as pan, I guess I’m still learning the ropes. That’s mainly because I’ve been somewhat afraid to live my truth. For a hot minute, I kind of knew I found every gender attractive and could find people from every gender who I’m attracted to. But, yeah. Actually out and out saying it in the world? Outside of talking to my therapist about it in 2018/2019? I didn’t really know how to broach the subject. Plus, there were/are some people in my life who aren’t really cool with queerness.

When I did finally say it out loud in typical SOTB fashion (read: with a bit of snark), it freed up some weight from off of my shoulders. I’m still the same SOTB. It’s just that now people know that I like everyone. And honestly? Many of the people who know, they’re perfectly okay with it. My Shawty was like “okay? And? I’m bi and I still love you.” My not-blood family (read: my niggas and homegirls), they were like “awesome. Thanks for telling me. That’s great that you’re living your truth. Plus, who you like or are attracted to doesn’t matter. You’re still Speed.”

However, “Matcha” is from a gay male’s gaze, not a pan person’s. So how does this anecdote relate back to the song, you ask?

There are moments where the narrator seems to, initially, be halfway in the closet. That’s specifically the case, as mentioned, in the first verse. This seems so because of fears of being outed due to the rumor-heavy nature of small towns. Nevertheless, he eventually says “fuck that shit” (sorry for using the other F-word; this is still a mostly PG-13 site in terms of my articles) and just likes and loves whomever he wants to. That leads way to the “joyful” nature of the song. It’s a very celebratory, pro-LGBTQ+ song. Like I said, the song also has a heavy dose of BARS. So, yes, I’d feature this one if I got it in the dead of winter or if I got it during Pride Month.

I’ve always said that your race/gender/who you love doesn’t fully matter musically to me, though it does add context. I don’t post someone just because they’re Black. Nor do I post a song just because it’s pro-LGBTQ+. I judge submissions and recommendations on whether or not the song touches my soul, as I live and die by Big KRIT’s “The Vent.”

“Matcha” definitely touched my soul.

Check it out above and support dope music in all its forms.