Paris 2024: Rising Phoenix rapper meets 'his inspiration' Matt Stutzman

It was one of the most emotional moments of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Hours after winning gold in Para archery, Matt Stutzman fielded a video call from Emmy-winning artist George Doman. 

George is working in Paris for the International Paralympic Committee’s Communications Team at the Games as a Content Distributor Co-ordinator. 

He used Matt as an inspiration for writing a verse for the title track of the Netflix documentary Rising Phoenix, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction alongside lyricists Toni Hickman and Keith Jones. 

After Matt clinched gold in the Men’s individual compound open Para archery competition, George called him to explain exactly how much his Paralympic achievements have meant to him throughout his life. 

George told Matt: “When I saw your story, you were sitting at the table and said you felt different. That’s how I felt.  

“When I was doing music, everybody told me that I was non-marketable. But for you guys I am marketable, and vice versa. So thank you, thank you for being so passionate and caring enough to change sport in general with the Paralympic Movement.  

“Thank you for giving us stories to write to and be inspired by as hip-hop artists. I’d like to say that Toni Hickman and Keith Jones feel the same way, they were also on the song with me. They’re not here in Paris but they are here in spirit and we were all inspired by you guys.  

“Your story kicked off my verse. I think I wrote three different versions of the verse, and it meant a lot. It’s weird because it’s all full circle moments with all of us - I feel that we’re all living different lives but our stories are intertwined somehow.  

“I never thought in a million years that I would be working alongside the Paralympics to help your Movement now. I truly appreciate it and hopefully we get to meet in person.”

Life-changing Movement 

Stutzman, who is competing in his fourth Paralympic Games and won his first medal since London 2012, is now hoping to meet with George in person. 

Matt told George: “I would just tell you that the Paralympic Movement for me, I understand exactly how you're feeling. Before the Paralympics I couldn’t even provide for my family, nobody would even give me a job. Nobody gave me a chance to prove myself.  

“Then I found the Paralympics and it completely changed me into who I am today because somebody gave me a chance. What you’re feeling now, I felt every bit of that and I feel it now.  

“What you wrote was amazing - I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to that. I didn’t watch the video, I just listened to the music, and it’s actually on my archery playlist. You’re amazing and I can’t thank you enough for making that so valuable for other people. The song is so powerful and when they watch it and hear it, it really connects all the dots. It’s so strong.” 

George went on to explain to Matt how writing the title track to Rising Phoenix has completely transformed his life. 

“Then two months later Leroy Moore who was the founder of ‘Krip-Hop’ called me and told me about Rising Phoenix. I didn’t even know. It’s a full circle moment. Now I’m just looking for a job, and I just want to feel part of society. 

“It’s more than just hip hop or more than just sport, it’s human experience. That’s really what it is, what it boils down to. I don’t think people look at us - not everybody - but sometimes we’re not looked at as people.  

“We’re looked at as ‘oh he’s going to sit in his room all day and work remotely’. No, I’d like to travel and see the world, and that’s why I’m grateful to Craig (Spence, IPC Chief Brand and Communications Officer) and the team for giving me an opportunity to do that because I would never experience that.  

“I come from real humble beginnings so thank you man for your story, I hope we meet and congratulations on your gold medal.  

“Enough crying - I cried during the Emmy win, I’ve lost my senses now. It’s just really tough because your stories really mean a lot to people like me, and vice versa I’m presuming. Thank you Matt. Hopefully we meet and we’ll match gold for gold - Emmy and a gold medal.”