THE promising career of rap performer Matt White has hit rock bottom after his arrest at Coonabarabran and a series of appearances in Dubbo Local Court.
Matt enjoyed national fame last year as a contestant on the television reality program Australia’s Got Talent.
Placed sixth on the show, he left on a high with promises of recording opportunities and a contract with a high profile management company.
“I didn’t have any money but the future seemed great,’’ Matt told the Daily Liberal yesterday.
“Being on television was awesome and I lapped up all the love and attention and the chance to shine in glory.
“Producers were on hand to make sure everything was good but there was no warning about all the bad stuff that happens back in the real world.
“I quickly found that a lot of people are jealous about what I have achieved. They think I have a lot of money and want a piece of me. The death threats, hate mail and negative sites on the internet have been pretty hard to take.
“Every time I walk into a pub, club or restaurant the whole place stares at me. Fortunately 98 per cent of people are great but the other 2 per cent are absolute a***holes.
“Most of the time I’ve been able to talk my way out of a problem but there have been occasions when things have turned pretty ugly.’’
Matt was feeling positive in October last year when he travelled to Port Macquarie to record a radio segment promoting a youth foundation.
While in the nearby town of Wauchope Matt alleges he received “a good touch up from a group of rivals’’.
“I copped a flogging with a baseball bat to the head,’’ he said.
“I didn’t lodge a report with police because I have been to prison in the past and know what happens when you dob.
“I copped it sweet and wanted nothing more than to move on with my life.’’
Matt returned to his home at Muswellbrook and “heard nothing more about the Wauchope incident for three months”.
“Everything was fine until I organised a gig at my hometown of Coonabarabran,’’ he said.
“My life spiralled out of control when the local police picked me up for questioning about an alleged assault.
“The next thing I knew I was being refused bail.’’
Matt was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Zac Budden at Wauchope at 7.30pm on October 25.
Matt was eventually granted bail after appearing in Dubbo Local Court, but according to court-imposed conditions he must report to Coonabarabran police every day.
“The reporting conditions are causing my career to stall,’’ Matt said.
“I’ve already had to breach a contact to perform at Perth and that could end up costing me $40,000.
“I get phone calls all the time wanting me to take part in all sorts of events but it has become impossible because I haven’t been able to get bail conditions varied.’’
Matt travelled to Dubbo on Wednesday for his latest appearance in local court. The Department of Public Prosecutions asked for the charge to be transferred to Port Macquarie.
Matt was ordered to reappear in Port Macquarie Local Court on March 19.
He remains hopeful the Aboriginal Legal Service will be able to organise a bail variation.
In the meantime, he is preparing to fight the assault charge.
“It’s just bulls**t, Matt said.
“I don’t mind getting arrested for things I have done but I don’t need the hassle of something that’s not true, especially when I am trying to get my performing career going.
“My whole life is on hold until this mess is cleared up.’’
Matt admits to a chequered past marked by failure, trouble and time spent in prison.
At age 18 he was incarcerated in Bathurst Correctional Centre for nine months after a conviction for robbery. He spent another 15 months on parole.
“I did what they said,’’ Matt said.
“I’m not proud of it but it happened.’’
At age 20 Matt faced an allegation of armed robbery.
“I pleaded not guilty and spent time back in Bathurst jail waiting to go to trial at Dubbo District Court.
“I was in jail for my 21st birthday and Christmas. I lost my house, my girlfriend and a full-time job before I was eventually cleared.
“The incident has stopped me obtaining a passport and this latest grievous bodily harm allegation is just making everything even more difficult.’’
Despite his latest troubles Matt is pleased to spend more time with his mother, Helen. “I’m singing and writing and have a 30-minute non-stop set ready to go,’’ Matt said.
“I’ll be taking it around the clubs when all this court stuff is finished.’’
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