Matt Pokora Biography, Wiki, Wife, Songs, Height, Net Worth, and more

Birth name: Matthieu True
Nickname: Matt Pokora, M. Pokora, MP
Date of birth: September 26, 1985
Place of birth: Strasbourg, France
Profession: Singer, songwriter, dancer
Marital status: unmarried
Partner: Christina Milian
Height: 185 cm
Original hair color: the children
Eye color: blue
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Net Worth: $75 million

Social Links:

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Matt Pokora Website
Matt Pokora Youtube

Matthieu Tota (born September 26, 1985 in Strasbourg, France), better known as M. Pokora, or Matt Pokora, is a French singer and songwriter.

Matt Pokora’s early life

Matthieu Tota’s father is professional footballer André Tota, and his mother is Brigitte Tota. His parents divorced in 1998 when he was 13 years old. As a child he studied at the Hohberg Primary School and later at the Collège Paul-Émile Victor in Mundolsheim and the Lycée Aristide Briand in Schiltigheim near Strasbourg. When he was young, his main goal was to become a professional soccer player, but he chose music instead.

Matt explained the origin of the name Pokora in an interview that aired on Mis à jour on August 26, 2010 on the NRJ 12 television channel. She said she was looking for a stage name and happened to talk to her Polish grandmother about humility. So he asked what is humility in Polish and the grandmother said “pokora”. Matt immediately decided that this would be his name and shortened his first name to Matt.

He gained some public attention as a member of the French R&B group Mic Unity.

In Popstars and Linkup

In the fall of 2003, he participated in the third season of Popstars, a French talent search television show broadcast by M6. The concept when the show was presented was to form boy and girl bands from the winners of the possible candidates. Matt was a favorite of the audience and the judges and became a member of the boy band Linkup with Lionel and Otis, the other two winners of Popstars 2003. The female winners Marylore, Angel, Pookie, Ophélie and Alexandra formed the Diadems formation. In the final showdown, Matt’s team won the show, leaving the Diadems as runners-up.

The first Linkup song was “Mon Étoile”, which was very successful in the French charts, and the Notre Étoile album was only moderately successful. However, the release of the second single “Une seconde d’éternité” was much less successful, despite good sales.

The band later tried again with the British boy band Blue to make a bilingual English/French version of Blue’s latest song “Bubblin”. The bilingual English / French Blue / Linkup version is titled “You & Me Bubblin”. Not long after, Linkup disbanded due to poor sales.

Solo career 2004: M.Pokora

In 2004, shortly after Linkup broke up, Matt began working on his solo career in collaboration with producers Kore & Skalp.

Under the stage name Matt Pokora, he released his first solo album originally titled Matt Pokora. In 2005, she was forced to change her chosen name after a lawsuit by French R&B singer Matt Houston. As a result, he changed his stage name to M. Pokora and re-released the album as M. Pokora.
M. Pokora’s debut album was very successful. “Showbiz (The Battle)” entered the French Top 10, Belgian and Swiss charts. The second song was Elle me contrôle featuring Sweety, which reached number 6 in France and won two NRJ Music Awards. A third successful single was released called “Pas Sans toi”. The album went gold at Universal.

He started collaborating with Hakim Ghorab, who had been his choreographer for a long time and participated in several defining music videos. He developed a close collaboration with Karim Ouaret, who directed most of his successful videos.

2006: Player

His second album, released in January 2006, opened at the top of the French charts. The producer of the new album collaborated with Belgian producers Bionix, Rachid Mir and Christian Dessart mixing R&B with pop and crunk’n b, and artists Red Rat and Zoxea, and it is mainly aimed at young and female fans. He is also very popular among gays. The first song from the second album was the hugely successful “De retour” featuring Tyron Carter. This was followed by “Oh la la la (Sexy Miss)” with Red Rat.

Meanwhile, NRJ Radio organized a concert in France, he met the Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin and Ricky asked Matt to collaborate on his song “It’s Alright”. The result was a bilingual French / English Ricky Martin / M. Pokora song, It’s Alright, which sold more than 100,000 copies. Finally, the last song from the Player album was “Mal de guerre”, which was relatively successful. Player appeared on a second release in March 2006 as a bonus track with It’s Alright.

Promoting the album and capitalizing on its success, Matt has been very busy with a large 30-stop tour limited to France, culminating in the Player Tour with a massive sold-out concert at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. At the end of the tour, a DVD with material from the show was released under the title Player Tour Live. The DVD includes a book with photos from the tour.

Matt has also created his own label under M2theP Entertainment, who also sponsors rapper Tyron Carter. In addition to appearing in the video for “De retour”, Tyron Carter appeared on “Ne me dis pas” from the album Mon hold-up

2008: ‘MP3

After the Player Tour ended, Matt left Universal and signed with French EMI. He wanted an even more international profile, so he went to New York and contacted the most important R&B producers Ryan Leslie and JR Rotem. The result was Matt’s third album, ‘MP3’, released on March 24, 2008, containing 14 songs, 12 of which are in English. The title of the album consists of Matt’s monogram and the number of the album, but it also refers to the popular gadget, the MP3 player. Prior to the album’s release, Matt promoted the album with the song “Dangerous”, a collaboration between American hip hop artist Timbaland and Sebastian, Timbaland’s brother, and the release was timed for the NRJ Music Awards of 2008.

The album peaked at number 7 and has sold over 200,000 copies, with a further 151,000 downloads. The album went gold. The album also performed well on the international charts in Finland, Germany, Mexico, Belgium and in his native Poland, where he won the Polish Eska Music Awards as “International Pop Artist of the Year”.

After the success of “Dangerous”, Matt’s second song “They Talk Shit About Me” was released, in which the young English rapper Natalia Kills collaborated, but in the video her stage name was still Verse. “Dangerous” became unpopular (it became N°1), French radio stations were reluctant to play it because it was in English, so it only reached number 24. The music video from the third album “Catch Me If You Can” featuring Julie Ricci. You may know him from Top Model in 2007 on M6 and from the fourth season of Secret Story on TF1. It didn’t do well in the French charts, but the Poles loved it, finishing in 11th place. This was followed by “Through The Eyes”, which was relatively successful in Poland, reaching 31st place on the charts.

The release of the third album coincided with the concert organized at the end of the Catch Me Tour at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy on November 18, 2008. He also toured in Belgium (December 6), Switzerland (December 13) and the final concert: Lyon, France December 14, 2008.

2010-2011: Mise à jour / Updated

His fourth studio album was released on August 13, 2010. The first single was “Juste une photo de toi”, which in 2010. was released on June 7 and was a great success on the French album sales chart, where it reached number 4. This includes collaborations with Wayne Beckford, Gee Futuristic, X-Plosive, Astro Boyz, Tarz, STX and Bionix. Simultaneously with the release of the Mis à jour Édition Deluxe, an original 15-song Mis à jour disc with 7 brand new songs and an exclusive Deluxe edition (including six English-language songs) was released.

The first single from the album, “Juste une photo de toi”, was released simultaneously with the launch of the album. On January 22, 2011, at the NRJ Music Awards, he won the title “Song of the Year” and Matt also became the French singer of the year.

In order to consolidate it, he started his international journey with the MP3 album and stated that the English version is already in the works. Finally, the English version update was released on March 14, 2011 with 11 songs, mostly covers of the French-language Mise à jour album. 6 titles were already known to the French public from the album Mise à jour Édition Deluxe, published in August 2010.

To promote the album, he organized a mini-tour and performed in concert halls instead of many outdoor concerts.

In November 2010, the next song titled “Mirage” was released along with the video. The large number of downloads, but the low sales, were also visible in the charts, as it only reached the 64th place, despite the fact that it performed very well among the downloads.

In 2011, “Oblivion”, the English-language version of “Mirage”, was published with the same concept, but intended for the international market. The song was an opener on the release of Updated, those Mis à jour songs that were not intended for French markets, but they also made a version available for the French.

In March 2011, Matt announced a 15-stop tour in Belgium and the final show in Olympia. He previously appeared in French, Belgian and Swiss clubs between April and June 2011.

In March 2011, he also launched a version, Mise à jour Version 2.0, which included additional material including the Jean-Jacques Goldman, Carole Fredericks and Michael Jones classic “À nos actes manqués”, which defined his new song. Due to sales, it immediately entered the Top 10. The album Mise à jour Version 2.0 was available on April 18, 2011 with 17 songs, 14 of them in their original form, the Jean-Jacques Goldman title song, three English-language Updated songs and a new French song “Si on échangeait les rôles” on French version of Updated’s “Finally Found Ya”.

2012: La Poursuite Du Bonheur

The fifth studio album was released on March 20, 2012. The song “Juste Une Instant” about him was released on January 30.

Matt Pokora Acting career

In 2011, Matt voiced Duncan Rosenblatt’s lead character Firebreather in Cartoon Network’s French dub.

Robin Hood (2013)

Matt played Robin Hood in the musical comedy Robin des Bois (full title: Robin des Bois: Ne renoncez jamais), which premiered on September 26, 2013. It lasted until November 10 at extended locations. They traveled all over France. The musical was presented by Gilbert Coullier, Roberto Ciurleo and RDB-P, with lyrics and music by Patrice Guirao and Lionel Florence.

The musical compilation album was released on March 22, 2013 courtesy of Capitol Records / EMI and entered the SNEP official French chart in the first week, where the 3rd and 4th tracks achieved a prominent position on the Belgian (Wallonia) Francophone Singles Chart. The album was released in two versions.
RED (2015)

Matt Pokora Personal life

Matt was very upset by his parents’ divorce, but he did not leave his mother, they lived together in Strasbourg before he rented his own apartment in Paris. His autobiographical song “Sur ma route”, co-written by Jack Robinson, M. Pokora and Jordan Houyez from his MP3 album, is about what he experienced as a child in a broken family. Matt maintains his relationship with his father, who actively supports him.

He is an ardent soccer fan and dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player at the very beginning of his career. He is a big supporter of the French football team Olympique de Marseille and attends several matches.

For years, Matt has been good friends with his personal choreographer Hakim Ghorab and his wife Aline, he is the godfather of their daughter Lola. The footballer Djibril Cissé is also among his friends and he is the godfather of one of the footballer’s sons. Out of respect for Matt Cissé, he tattooed an X on himself, because the soccer player makes an X sign with his arms after every point scored. Cisse also has a similar motif on his body.

Matt Pokora Sexuality

Although Matt has had several female partners, he is currently single.

But despite this, there are many speculations about his sex life. Matt is also considered a homosexual icon, which he fully agreed to in an interview on Grand Journalla Canal+ in 2007, when he said: “I make music for everyone. I don’t care if my fans are straight or gay. Many great artists in the world are gay icons”. He continues to be a great friend of gays and actively supports the HIV/AIDS cause, and in April 2008 he appeared half-naked on the cover of the French gay magazine Têtu. He stated to the magazine: “”I don’t care what people say. I’m happy to be on the cover of Têtu”. But in an interview, when asked the same question, he denied that he was gay and said he had a girlfriend. He dated Sofia Boutella for 3 years.

Matt Pokora Charity and social awareness

From the beginning, and over many years, Matt has been a great supporter of charities, particularly HIV/AIDS and children’s charities. In 2004, he participated in the charity song “Chanter qu’on les aime” in support of the Association Mondiale des Amis de l’Enfance (AMADE). In 2005, he was in “Protège-toi”, an AIDS charity song for the Collectif Protection Rapprochée. In the same year, he participated in the charity song “Et puis la terre…” for the victims of the tsunami within the framework of Artistes Solidaritie Ici pour Eux (ASIE) together with a large number of French artists.

In 2006, he sang “L’Or de nos vies”, a charity single for the fight against AIDS. In 2007 he took part in two performances: “Je fais de toi mon essentiel” by Emmanuel Moire and “S’aimer est interdit” by Anne-Laure Girbal both appeared in “Le Roi Soleil – De Monaco à Versailles (LIVE) – Fight Aids ” on a charity album.

In 2010 he appeared on the Collectif Kilomaitre “Un Respect mutuel” charity song with many other hip hop and urban artists. He helped with the AIDES project and in 2010 sang the title track of Tracy Chapman’s “Talking About a Revolution” on the charity album Message (AIDES).

Matt Pokora Tattoos

Matt is very famous for the many tattoos that cover his body:

• “POKORA” – meaning humility in Polish (and the stage name adopted by the artist), written on his right arm in all capital letters
• “Only God Can Judge Me” – (Only God can judge me), right arm
• Chinese calligraphy signs: “Creativity “, “Peace” and “Patience” – (Creativity, Peace and Patience) encircled with a dragon on his left shoulder
• An M representing his name with colorful flames around it – left arm
• A tattoo of a dance representing the cub
• A famous Arabic saying in on the neck
• “Ambition” – Chinese calligraphy around the waist with chains and two wings
• Letter X – right wrist, symbol of brotherhood, and friendship, as a tribute to his close friend Djibril Cissé
• A star between his left thumb and forefinger
• Starflower next to his left ear

Popular culture

– He participated three times in a French TV game and adventure competition series in Fort Boyard in 2005, 2006 and 2009, his team won 3690, 28230 and 3000 euros each, which he donated to charity.
– In 2006 he played in “Elle me contrôle” TV show La chanson de l’année with other important artists.
– In 2006, his song “Get Down On It” was released as the soundtrack to the movie Asterix and the Vikings.
– In 2006, he participated in the French version of Muppets TV (broadcast on December 31, 2006).
– In 2007, he participated in the Symphonic special show at Sidaction, a French AIDS charity event.
– In 2008, Sony Ericsson and EMI Music France gave the exclusive right to download 7 songs of the MP3 album to W380i as a promotion and sponsorship campaign.
– In April 2008, Matt gave an interview for appearing on the cover of the French gay magazine Têtu.
– Participated in “L’Or de nos vies” a charity song recorded by “Fight AIDS Monaco” in association with Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.
– Contributed to a song on the Message album, released in January 2010 with contributions from many artists: Christophe Willem, Jennifer, Anggun, Sliimy, Natasha St Pier, Daniel Powter, Lara Fabian. Matt contributed to “Talking About a Revolution”, a Tracy Chapman song.
– In 2011, he appeared in Le show Johnny on Johnny Hallyday’s show.
– Enjoys great popularity among children as well, appearing in many programs focused mainly on children, while on May 25, 2011 he appeared in a special show presented by L’École des fans Philippe Risoli where Gabin, Alicia, Romane, Yamin, Axel and Inès, children aged 5-7 sang his songs. Matt also performed the hit song “À nos actes manqués” on the show. He was also a co-sponsor with Hélène Ségara et Jean-Luc Reichmann in the second edition of TF1’s show Le grand on 30 April 2011.

Winning Danse avec les stars

On March 19, 2011, he won the first season of Danse avec les stars (the French version of Dancing with the Stars) with partner Katrina Patchett with 62% of the vote, against runners-up David Ginola and Sofia Essaïdi.

Danse avec les stars

Matt Pokora Filmography & Movies

Soundtrack (3 titles)
2008 Fama ¡a bailar! (TV series)
– Episode #1.84 (2008) (performer: “Dangerous”)

2006 La chanson de l’année (TV movie) (performer: “Elle me contrôle”)

2006 Asterix and the Vikings (performer: “Get Down On It”)

Hide HideSelf (14 titles)
2012 Les enfants de la télé (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 9 March 2012 (2012) … Himself

2011 Danse avec les stars (TV series)
Himself
– Finale (2011) … Himself
– Finale (2011) … Himself
– Episode #1.5 (2011) … Himself
– Episode #1.4 (2011) … Himself
– Episode #1.3 (2011) … Himself
See all 7 episodes »

2011 Vivement dimanche (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 11 September 2011 (2011) … Himself

2011 Le show Johnny (TV movie)
Himself

2006-2011 Le grand journal de Canal+ (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 25 January 2011 (2011) … Himself
– Episode dated 11 January 2007 (2007) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 February 2006 (2006) … Himself

2008 La Rioja, tierra universal (TV movie)
Himself (as Matt Pokora)

2008 Fama ¡a bailar! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.84 (2008) … Himself

2007 Symphonic show spécial Sidaction (TV movie)
Himself

2006 Muppets TV (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.10 (2006) … Himself

2005-2006 Fort Boyard (TV series)
Himself
– L’équipe de Stéphanie Grimaldi joue pour l’association Fight Aids Monaco (2006) … Himself
– Association Music’ament (2005) … Himself

2006 La chanson de l’année (TV movie)
Himself

2006 On ne peut pas plaire à tout le monde (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 5 February 2006 (2006) … Himself

2005 La méthode Cauet (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 17 February 2005 (2005) … Himself (as Matt Pokora)

2001 Popstars: France (TV series)
Himself/Contestant (2003)

Matt Pokora Discography

Linkup albums

2003 Notre étoile

Solo albums

2004 M. Pokora
2006 Player
2008 MP3
2010 Mise à Jour
2011 Updated, Mise à jour Version 2.0
2012 À La Poursuite Du Bonheur

Singles

2004 “Showbiz (The Battle)”
2005 “Elle me contrôle”
“Pas sans toi”
2006 “De retour” (with Tyron Carter)
“It’s Alright” (with Ricky Martin)
“Oh la la la (Sexy Miss)”
“Mal de guerre”
2008 “Dangerous” (with Timbaland & Sebastian)
“They Talk Shit About Me” (with Verse)
“Catch Me if You Can”
2009 “Through the Eyes”
2010 “Juste une photo de toi”
“Mirage”
“Oblivion ”
2011 “À nos actes manqués”
“Finally Found Ya”
“En Attendant la Fin”
2012 “Juste un Instant”

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

1. What ethnicity is Matt Pokora?
Ans: French

2. Is Matt Pokora polish?
Ans: Polish-French

3. What genre is M Pokora?
Ans: French Urban Pop/R&B