Best check yourself, Biebs — there's a new(ish) teen YouTube sensation on the scene, and he just made one New York Times music critic's list of best songs of 2016.
MattyB, née Matthew David Morris, is an almost-14-year-old rapper/singer from Duluth whose Facebook page has amassed more than 8.8 million likes. His song "Friend Zone" — in which he waxes about unrequited love while delivering lines like "She's a mean young teen, ain't no thing to fix up like a model" — has been watched on YouTube almost 45 MILLION times.
Surprisingly, it's also landed at No. 21 on New York Times critic Jon Caramanica's list of the year's top songs.
"don't @ me," a reference to expected backlash on Twitter, was the only explanation Caramanica provided in the article.
(He did not immediately respond when a reporter from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution @'ed him Monday afternoon).
MattyB also reached out to Caramanica. He appreciated being included in the list.
so glad u can relate to my struggles! @nytimes @joncaramanica #friendzone https://t.co/1OUIh7TrV2
— MattyBRaps (@MattyBRaps) December 12, 2016
MattyB's music career started and blossomed on YouTube, where, according to his website, his videos have accumulated more than four billion views over the years. His YouTube channel is reportedly among the 50 most viewed (among musicians) of all-time.
The teen has also written a book and is an outspoken advocate for his sister, who has Down syndrome.
Watch the full video for "Friend Zone" here:
