- While waiting on his big break he did impersonations of James Brown , Sammy Davis Jr. and Michael Jackson in videos and lip snc contest . In (1985) he took first place on the hit television show Puttin' on the Hits , where he portrayed Michael Jackson in a skit from the Film The Wiz .
- In (1992) he was original choice to play the character Paul in the motion picture Six Degrees of Separation . He turned down the role for personal conflicts . The role went to Will Smith .
- His father Michael Clinton Matthews Sr. was a singer and hair stylist , his mother Bunifaye Canty Gray is a Ordained Minister and Psychologist and owns a private practice . They divorced when he was 16 .
- At a early age he studied several forms of martial arts . He received his boxing training from his grandfather Clinton Matthews who was a heavy weight contender . He trained at Chicago's Windy Citys Gym where Muhammad Ali trained regularly .
- As a youth he was member of the internationally known Jesse White Tumbling Team , founded by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White . Michael and other members caught the attention of the USA Olympic Team for gymnastics in the (1970's) .
- He has six children from previous marriages , Michael C. Matthews , Marrio D. Matthews from first wife Terri Lynn Matthews , Miesha Matthews from Patricia Norris , Prince A. Matthews , Minay Matthews from Rena Matthews and Melody Matthews from Michelle Jenkins .
- In his teens he joined Chicago's infamous street gang "Black Gangster Disciples" . He was stabbed in the head two times at seventeen while protecting his girlfriend from being attacked by a rival gang .
- He produced three music albums, Gospel , Pop and R&b/Hip Hop . His songs have made to number 1 on Reverbnation's Music charts frequently . (12/2020 ) he is rated at number 10 on Reverbnation Music charts for R&B/Hip Hop in Riverside County California .
- He joined the United States Army . While stationed at Fort Eustis Virginia he won post boxing championship . He was selected to participate in the Army's Bicentennial celebration , he was chosen as a Honor Guard for President Ronald Reagan . (1980)
- He was the original choice to play the role of High Top in the movie " Colors " . However Sean Penn refused to work with him expressing concerns of over exposure according to his agent . Glenn Plummer got the role . (1988)
- He is a Christian non-denomination . He is a member of Greater Light Community Church in Perris California .
- (2011-2017) He performed his original songs for live venues large and small . He was a featured artist for the Long Beach Unity Festival , The 9th Annual Perris Valley Family Fair and The Inland Empire Expo etc.
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