Matthew “OG Mateo” Mateo has never been content with simply throwing parties. As president of 5 Star Entertainment Group and founder of Mateo Productions, the promoter of Guyanese heritage has positioned himself at the center of America’s Caribbean cultural crossroads, shaping the way diasporic identity is celebrated onstage and on the dance floor.
His résumé spans blockbuster arena events like Vybz Kartel’s sold-out shows in Miami and Atlantic City, as well as intimate nightlife experiences with icons such as Super Cat and Sean Paul. What unites them is Mateo’s instinct for capturing the essence of Caribbean life—its rhythms, its flavor, its sense of community—and translating it into experiences that feel both spectacular and personal.
This Labor Day Weekend, he is once again raising the stakes. On Sunday, August 31, Mateo brings soca-dancehall star Kevin Lyttle to Brooklyn’s Polygon venue for a night designed as more than a concert. The event promises rooftop views over Williamsburg, the smoke of jerk drums curling into the summer night, and a soundtrack spanning soca, dancehall, reggae, afrobeats, hip hop, and R&B. As Mateo puts it, “our version of carnival” in New York City.
Why Kevin Lyttle, Why Now
When asked why Kevin Lyttle was the right fit for Labor Day, Mateo’s response was immediate:
“He has a legendary song. It’s one of those records that pops in the club, pops in the arenas when the DJs play it. I felt for Labor Day weekend, Kevin would be the right one to add to this event.”
Two decades on, Turn Me On remains one of the Caribbean’s defining exports, a soca anthem that conquered the Billboard Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart, and much of Europe. Its legacy has only deepened with time. In 2023, Australian producer Luude teamed up with Lyttle and UK rapper Bru-C to release TMO (Turn Me On), a frenetic EDM remix that went Silver in the UK. The original track, meanwhile, continues to rack up certifications: double Platinum in the UK, Gold in the U.S., and awards across Europe and Australia.
For Mateo, Lyttle represents continuity and reinvention in equal measure—heritage wrapped in modern relevance.
Polygon: A Venue With Roots
The choice of Polygon, located on the Williamsburg-Bushwick border, is deliberate. Known for hosting artists from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie to Fabolous and Jadakiss, the venue has been a canvas for many scenes. Mateo is returning it to Caribbean hands.
“It’s a great venue. We’ve done tons of events there in the past. But now it’s time to bring what Brooklyn deserves on Labor Day weekend—the West Indian culture, the Caribbean culture—on the rooftop.”
Inside and out, the space will be transformed. Caribbean staples courtesy of Jigga Jerk Spot—jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas, plantains—will be served straight from the drum. “Authentic and official,” Mateo insists, likening the night to J’ouvert morning, rolling straight into the Parkway.
A Culture in Motion
To Mateo, this isn’t just about one party. It is part of a broader moment, a rising tide of Caribbean visibility in American life.
“100%—all the islands, all the people, all the music—it’s time. Reggae and dancehall lifted us and Vybz Kartel opened the door, but Caribbean overall—we’re here, we’ve been here. It’s time to celebrate and spotlight it.”
Future projects are already in motion: collaborations with artists like KES and expansions into cities from Los Angeles to Chicago to Miami. The aim is clear—make Caribbean culture impossible to ignore.
Authenticity Above All
From Vybz Kartel’s arena spectacles to Kevin Lyttle’s Brooklyn homecoming, OG Mateo’s ethos has been consistent: keep it authentic, keep it celebratory, and never underestimate the power of Caribbean culture to travel.
“People think vibes can’t be maintained, but I believe it’s going to continue to grow. Maybe in New York or Miami people are already exposed, but there are other markets that are going to be touched. The demand is constant.”
Before parting, Mateo offered a final note of solidarity for the mission of World Music Views:
“Love what you’re doing for the culture. Love what you’re doing for the people. Keeping it authentic. Thank you, brother.”
