Matchstik

Uniquely talented, Allen Forrest does not only write his own rhymes and produce his own beats, but he created the Matchstik brand solely himself. Allen David Forrest, better known as Matchstik, was born in Fort Camble, Kentucky on February 4, 1981 and raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Matchstik's parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide. Matchstik'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.

Allen David Forrest, better known as Matchstik, was born in Fort Camble, Kentucky on February 4, 1981 and raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Matchstik's parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide.

Matchstik'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, Matchstik realized he had to turn his life around. Determined not to be a victim of his circumstances Matchstik left the street life behind, dropped out of high school and passed his G.E.D. He also went on to attend college, and sequentially joined the Navy at age 20. During his journey across the country, Matchstik had a near fatal car crash where his best friend tried to kill himself and Matchstik by grabbing the steering wheel and hitting a tractor-trailer while traveling at over speeds of 90 miles per hour.

After completing four years of service in the Navy and receiving an honorable discharge and several medals including a good conduct award, he decided to leave the Navy and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast.

Since living in Los Angeles, Match and his music has been featured on the cult movie "Stomp The Yard Homecoming" movie soundtrack, Billboard Magazine, Yahoo.com, iLike.com, Newspapers and several other major fashion, music, and gossips sites. Matchstik has also worked with notable music producers such as Jean Baptiste (Black Eye Peas) Derek Bramble (Faith Hill, Bowie, Whitney, American Idol) Phonix (The Game) and also has worked the the celebrity photographer Hamesh Shahani (Credits: Sir Richard Branson, Beyonc'e' Kanye West, Common) Oleg Kud (Rich Boi, Lupe Fiasco, Wailers, ) Brad Christopher (Jay Rock, Dan Weaver, Frankie Jordan) on Oct. 30th, 2010 Match became the first African American from his home town to perform at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan Al.

Although Match continues to break barriers in life and in music he is also the founder of "The Good Music And A Good Cause Movement" which educate people through advocacy how to get involved with their community and charities to change the world.

Matchstik was the first hip hop artist from his city in Dothan, AL to make the front page headlines of his Hometown's newspaper with his impactful story