People love a good legacy story. It's why Growing Up Hip Hop works. But when Egypt Criss, daughter of Pepa (from Salt-N-Pepa) and Treach (from Naughty by Nature), started dating Sam Mattick, the internet basically imploded. Fans weren’t just skeptical. They were loud.
Sam Mattick isn't just "Egypt Criss husband" to the people who watch the show; he’s a lightning rod for drama. He’s an artist, a father, and someone who has had to fight for a seat at the table in a family that is essentially hip-hop royalty. Honestly, the transition from "the guy Pepa’s daughter is dating" to the man she eventually married was anything but smooth. It involved public feuds, concerns from legendary parents, and a whole lot of screen time on WE tv.
Who exactly is Sam Mattick?
You’ve probably seen him on your screen looking somewhat stoic while Pepa grills him about his intentions. Sam, often referred to as Sam Wright or "Sammie Mattick," entered the public consciousness as a singer and songwriter. He wasn't exactly a household name before the show. That created an immediate power imbalance that the Growing Up Hip Hop cameras leaned into heavily.
📖 Related: Sydney Sweeney Fat Ass: The Online Obsession and What It Says About Us
He’s a musician. That’s his core. But in the world of reality TV, your talent often takes a backseat to your "storyline." For Sam, that storyline was being the outsider. He already had children from previous relationships, which is often a point of contention in these high-stakes family dynamics. It wasn't just about whether Egypt loved him; it was about whether he fit the "brand" of a hip-hop dynasty.
Marriage changes things. It turns a boyfriend into a permanent fixture. When they finally tied the knot, it felt like a massive middle finger to the critics who said they wouldn't last a month.
The Vegas Wedding that Everyone Had an Opinion On
They did it. In early 2022, Egypt Criss and Sam Mattick got married in Las Vegas.
It wasn't some quiet, courthouse affair where they slipped away and told everyone later. No, this was a full-blown production. It happened at the Rockin’ Horse Venue. Egypt looked stunning, obviously, but the air in the room—at least how it was edited for TV—was thick with the history of the show's tension. You had Pepa there, who has been Sam's biggest hurdle and, occasionally, his biggest defender.
The wedding was the culmination of three years of "will they or won't they" energy. Remember back in 2019 when Sam proposed on stage during a concert? People thought it was a stunt. They thought it was for the plot. But you don't stay married for years just for a Season 5 renewal. They proved a lot of people wrong that day.
Dealing with the "Gold Digger" Narrative
Let’s be real. When a relatively unknown artist marries the daughter of multi-millionaire rap legends, the "clout chaser" labels start flying. Sam has been dodging those bullets since day one.
It’s a tough spot to be in.
If he works on his music, people say he’s using Egypt’s connections. If he doesn't work, they say he's a lazy opportunist. He’s stuck in a catch-22 that most celebrity spouses face, but with the added pressure of having his father-in-law be Treach. You don’t want to be on Treach’s bad side. That’s just common sense.
The couple has leaned into their partnership, though. They started a joint YouTube channel. They make music together. They’ve essentially built a bunker around their relationship to keep the outside noise... well, outside. It’s a strategy that seems to be working, even if it makes for less "explosive" TV in the later seasons.
The Legal Issues and Real-Life Drama
Reality TV often glosses over the boring stuff and heightens the scary stuff. Sam has dealt with his fair share of legal hurdles, some of which were documented on the show. Specifically, there were charges related to an altercation that had fans questioning if he was "stable" enough for Egypt.
- There was a 2019 arrest.
- The charges involved four counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
- This became a massive talking point for Egypt’s co-stars.
Tahira "Tee Tee" Francis, Egypt's cousin, was famously wary of Sam. This created a rift in the family that felt very real. It wasn't just "scripted" drama; it was the kind of family fallout that ends in blocked phone numbers and missed holidays. When you see Egypt defending Sam against her own blood, you realize this isn't just a TV romance. She’s all in.
Why the Public Perception is Shifting
Lately, the tide has turned a bit. Why? Because they stayed together.
In the world of Growing Up Hip Hop, couples break up every other Tuesday. The fact that Sam and Egypt have navigated the birth of their daughter and the stresses of public scrutiny while remaining a unit has earned them a weird kind of respect from the audience. You might not like Sam’s music or his vibe, but you can’t deny his loyalty to Egypt.
Their daughter, Calypsi, was born in 2023. Becoming a father again—this time within the structure of a marriage seen by millions—has seemingly grounded Sam. He’s less about the club scenes and more about the "dad" scenes now. It’s a natural evolution, but one that’s rare to see play out authentically on reality television.
Navigating the Industry as a Unit
They aren't just a couple; they're a brand. That’s the modern reality of being a celebrity.
Egypt has been very clear that she wants to step out of the "Salt-N-Pepa’s daughter" shadow. Sam is her partner in that. They collaborate on tracks like "Our Love" and "Tired of Whispers." Are these songs topping the Billboard Hot 100? No. But they are building a catalog that belongs to them, not their parents.
📖 Related: Robert Redford Sons: The Real Story Behind the Legend’s Private Family Life
It’s actually a pretty savvy move. By tying their professional success together, they make their marriage a business asset. If they break up, the business fails. It’s a high-stakes way to live, but for children of the industry, it’s often the only way they know how to function.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Dynamic
The biggest misconception is that Egypt is some "naive girl" being led astray by a bad boy. If you actually watch the nuances of their interaction, Egypt is often the one steering the ship. She’s her mother’s daughter—strong-willed and very aware of the cameras.
Sam often plays the role of the "villain" because it’s an easy trope for the show’s producers. He’s got the tattoos, the past, and the scrappy attitude. But behind the scenes, the couple seems much more balanced. They’ve managed to keep their actual domestic life relatively private despite being on a show literally about their lives.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Couple
If you're trying to keep up with what Sam and Egypt are doing next, don't just rely on the edited episodes of Growing Up Hip Hop. Reality TV is often filmed six to twelve months before it airs, meaning the "drama" you're seeing today might have been resolved a year ago.
1. Watch the YouTube Vlogs
Their personal channel is where they drop the filters. You see the parenting struggles and the music studio sessions that aren't "dramatic" enough for WE tv. It’s the best place to see the real Sam Mattick.
2. Follow the Music Releases
Sam is prolific. He’s constantly dropping singles. If you want to understand his perspective, listen to his lyrics. He talks about the scrutiny and the pressure of the Criss/Teecee family more openly in his songs than he does in interviews.
3. Check Egypt’s Instagram for the "Real" Timeline
Social media is the only way to see their current status. As of early 2026, they are still going strong, focusing heavily on raising Calypsi and expanding their creative footprint.
4. Filter the "Cousin Drama"
Take the feuds with Tee Tee and other cast members with a grain of salt. While the emotions are real, the situations are often pushed to a breaking point by production. The fact that Egypt and Sam have maintained their marriage despite this pressure is the most significant "fact" available.
The story of Egypt Criss and her husband is a case study in how to survive the "reality TV curse." They didn't let the opinions of a national audience or even their own legendary family members dictate their path. Whether you're a fan of Sam or not, his role in the hip-hop legacy through his marriage to Egypt is now firmly cemented.