About Matthew Allen

Matthew Allen is a Brooklyn-based TV producer, director and award-winning music journalist. He’s interviewed the likes of Quincy Jones, Jill Scott, Smokey Robinson and more for publications such as Ebony, Jet, The Root, Village Voice, Wax Poetics, Revive Music and Soulhead. His video work can be seen on PBS/All Arts, Brooklyn Free Speech TV and BRIC TV.

All Articles

Janet Jackson, theGrio.com
May 10, 2023
TheGrio reviews Janet Jackson’s concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, a sold-out show from her “Together Again Tour.”
27th Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Celebration - Arrivals
May 9, 2023
TheGrio counts down its top 10 acting debuts from singers and rappers, such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Will Smith, and more.
Glastonbury Festival 2022 - Day Five
May 1, 2023
OPINION: With highly anticipated hip-hop tours coming this summer, theGrio counts down the 10 best live hip-hop performers.
Byron Allen Washington D.C. Gala 2023, D.C. Gala, theGrio D.C. Gala, White House Correspondents' Dinner, A Seat at the Table, Black media, Black journalists, Byron Allen, theGrio.com
April 29, 2023
Natasha S. Alford and Panama Jackson are two of several members of theGrio attending “Byron Allen Presents the Washington, D.C. Gala.”
April 26, 2023
“Champion” tells the story of real-life queer Black boxer Emile Griffith. Blanchard’s music helps explore the fighter’s complex story.
April 24, 2023
Co-curators and performers of Brooklyn Academy of Music’s annual “Word. Sound. Power.” shows explains this year’s storyteller theme.
GBK Productions Pre-Oscar Luxury Gift Lounge - Saturday
April 17, 2023
TheGrio speaks with Terence Blanchard and Camille A. Brown, composer and choreographer of the opera, “Champion,” respectively.
Jazz At Lincoln Center 2016 Gala "Jazz and Broadway" Honoring Diana And Joe Dimenna And Ahmad Jamal - Inside
April 17, 2023
With the passing of legendary jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal, theGrio highlights five hip-hop classics that sampled his work.
2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 2 - Broadcast
April 6, 2023
Sean “Diddy” Combs posted that he pays Sting $5,000 a day for sampling The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” for “I’ll Be Missing You.”
Pharrell Williams Launches Humanrace At Selfridges
April 5, 2023
In celebration of Pharrell Williams’ 50th birthday, theGrio counts down his 10 best songs as the featured singer or rapper.
Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - February 18, 2020
March 31, 2023
Rapper and actor Ice-T spoke with theGrio about his new podcast, “Ice-T’s Daily Game” and reflected on hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
Jill Scott thegrio.com
March 28, 2023
TheGrio reviews Grammy-winner Jill Scott’s performance of her entire debut album, “Who is Jill Scott” at NJPAC in New Jersey.
March 23, 2023
Grammy winner Raphael Saadiq teased on his Instagram page that a Tony! Toni! Toné! reunion tour is coming later this year.
Glastonbury Festival 2022 - Day Five
March 22, 2023
Lollapalooza announced that Kendrick Lamar is one of the headliners at its 2023 festival, taking place in August in Chicago.
theGRIO.com
March 22, 2023
Chloe Bailey’s forthcoming solo debut album, “In Pieces,” will have 14 tracks, featuring Chris Brown, Missy Elliott and Future.
March 16, 2023
TheGrio dissects how three Bobby Caldwell songs, “What You Won’t Do For Love,” “My Flame,” and “Open Your Eyes” were embraced in hip-hop. 
March 14, 2023
In recognition of Quincy Jones’ 90th birthday, theGrio examines how he forged a new frontier for Black American artists to write film scores.
95th Annual Academy Awards - Press Room
March 13, 2023
Ruth Carter makes history as the first Black American woman to win two Academy Awards after winning Best Costume Design on Sunday.
94th Oscars Week Events: Animated Feature Film
March 10, 2023
TheGrio highlights five things for viewers to look out for ahead of the “95th Academy Awards” ceremony on Sunday.
March 3, 2023
Fans and celebrities celebrated De La Soul’s music premiering on streaming platforms at a live event at New York’s Webster Hall.