Matty J Ruys Returns with Beautiful Mess, his First Solo Album in Three Decades, alongside Single ‘FADED’ ft. ICECOLDBISHOP
Matty J Ruys Returns with Beautiful Mess, his First Solo Album in Three Decades, alongside Single ‘FADED’ ft. ICECOLDBISHOP
November 6th, 2026
Award-winning Aotearoa soul and R&B artist, songwriter and producer Matty J Ruys releases his long-awaited album Beautiful Mess on November 6, alongside new single ‘FADED’, featuring acclaimed South Central Los Angeles rapper ICECOLDBISHOP.
‘FADED’ draws on the struggles of the world we find ourselves in, and Ruys’ experiences growing up in neighbourhoods where poverty, crime, alcohol and drugs were part of everyday life. The song explores the search for something better, and the different ways people try to escape their circumstances, whether through substances, faith or the hope of a different future.
ICECOLDBISHOP brings his own perspective, having built a reputation for confronting generational trauma, poverty and street life through his music. Produced by US platinum-certified producer NUMONICS (Marlon Craft, Freddie Gibbs, Ras Kass), the track also features keys from Matthew “Honeybee” Little, whose credits include Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, J. Cole and Kali Uchis.
Almost 30 years since his last solo album, Ruys returns with Beautiful Mess, recorded across Los Angeles, Texas and Melbourne with US multi-platinum-certified producer NUMONICS (Marlon Craft, Freddie Gibbs, Blu). Blending soul, R&B and independent hip hop, the album features ICECOLDBISHOP, Matthew “Honeybee” Little (Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Anderson .Paak), 7HOODIES, cellist Diana Wuli and Island Records artist Ben Swissa.
The album is personal and at times confronting, reflecting his experiences and observations without the restrictions of outside expectations. Previous singles include ‘Black Jesus’, ‘Something Good’, ‘It’s Okay, I’m Not Okay Part 1’ and ‘Same Sun’. Listen to the album here.
While it’s been 30 years since his last solo album, Ruys has remained an influential figure in New Zealand music. His work with Dei Hamo delivered five weeks at number one, while his songwriting and production for K’Lee helped make her the first New Zealand female artist to achieve four Top 20 singles from a debut album. He also discovered, developed and signed Brooke Fraser to Sony Music, with her debut album achieving seven-times platinum status in New Zealand. During his time in A&R at Universal Music, he worked with Bleeders, Elemeno P and Zed.
As a recording artist, Ruys was a member of the influential Pacific soul group Fuemana and award-nominated band GO STOP GO. His career has also taken him to Atlanta, where he recorded and performed with musicians associated with Isaac Hayes, TLC, Outkast and the Dungeon Family, alongside collaborations with Arrested Development, Strawpeople and other international artists.
For more than a decade, Ruys has also helped develop emerging talent through Music Matters Live, Asia’s leading music showcase festival.