El Paso transplant Matt U Johnson was discovered as a talented singer and performer at the age of 14 while growing up in his hometown of New York. Now, Johnson, who is still under 30, is already a veteran in the music business and he’s looking to use his talent and experience to elevate his career to the next level.

The 27-year-old singer, songwriter and actor is set to release a pair of new singles. In that time, Johnson says he’s developed a lot and changed genres. I was doing pop and R&B and now I’m doing more a mix of pop and EDM (electronic dance music) and Dance hall.

I’m Jamaican-American, so I grew up in (the dance hall) scene. Much of that artistic development, he said, has been influenced by leaving New York to follow his parents to the Sun City.

My parents bought real estate here, so I came, Johnson said. Moving here, EDM is so huge. It opened my mind to dance music.

With (Sun City Music Festival) and the energy and the positive vibes of the music, (the way) it makes people feel, that gave me a good vibration. I felt it blended with my vibe.