On August 4th, 2025, the South Side gained an angel like none other. Harold “Big Ed” Matthews Jr. was a talent unique in every way who built community across genres, generations, and even countries. With poetry and songwriting as the foundation of his craft, Big Ed found his fire his sophomore year of high school at the Music Box (jacking to Ron Hardy, of course). The local music scene became fertilizer for his future career; from working as a doorman and helping promote parties to dancing in the ‘It’s Time for the Percolator’ music video and working at Imports record store. Big Ed later found himself in the studio with peers Ron Trent and Azza K. Fingers where he forged his first records as the esteemed Blak Beat Niks.
The 90’s set the tone for music across the globe, and the collaborative works created continue to make waves decades later. During this time, Big Ed continued to make his mark. He released an arsenal of songs with artists such as Terry Hunter, Maurice Joshua, and Ron Carroll.
Note: Just as this Best was finalized, we received the news of Ron Carroll’s passing on September 21. Carroll was an inspiration to many, and a close friend of Big Ed. The Weekly extends its condolences to his loved ones and the House music community as a whole.
Of the most notable, Big Ed helped write Barbara Tucker’s “I Get Lifted,” which was later sampled in the song “Fade” on Kanye West’s album The Life of Pablo. He contributed to the writing of other hits, including Kim English’s “Higher Things.”
As the 2000’s marched in, Big Ed continued to carve his own lane with ‘Melodious Fonk’ featuring songs such as ‘The Sun Will Shine’ and ‘Be Free.’ His craft became mastery through projects with the likes of Slip N Slide, Z Records, Peppermint Jam, Glenn Underground, and Makin’ Moves. Starting in 2016, Big Ed contributed to a number of releases for Sean McCabe’s Good Vibrations Music label including ‘The Right Place’, ‘One Body’ and ‘Peace.’
In 2022, Big Ed fulfilled a deep-seated personal goal; he released his first solo album Peripheral Vision. In retrospect, this final body of work is a powerful farewell. It’s a fusion of his first two passions, spoken word and house music, and features numerous producers and vocalists. The project brings life to the convictions, beliefs and experiences that shaped a man whose sound is still with us even after his departure.
While Harold Matthews Jr. was an essential part of impactful work, he gave the world more than his own artistry; he sewed that same creativity into his three children, two of which make music of their own. Often, loved ones are memorialized by naming who they leave behind. Big Ed’s life and legacy continue to serve as a bridge for the words and dreams of others to cross. He exemplified the importance of building community while still staying true to oneself and creating space to continually remaster who that even is. Thus, he leaves nothing behind but the physical while his heart and passion lives on.
Chima Ikoro is the Community Engagement Coordinator at South Side Weekly.