MeLo-X Interview | Hip Hop Electro
MeLo-X proves his versatility as an artist through his outlets as a DJ, Producer, Rapper and Blogger. If that isn’t enough then how about being part of the collective that puts together one of the biggest nights New York has to offer? Having just set foot in London to begin his European tour we took the opportunity to grab insight from the man himself.
Let’s look back, where it all began, what were you listening to growing up?
My Moms and Pops being Christian played a lot of Gospel, Al Green and other soul music. Also my parents are Jamaican so there was Bob Marley and Gospel Reggae too. My mother got me a radio so I would Listen to Hot 97, and 98.7 Kiss FM. After that I got cable and MTV changed the game up for me.
So you’ve become musically evolved, when did it become apparent that you wanted to take things further and start working on music?
Since a child I was interested in music. My Moms bought me a small toy audio recorder. I would record the radio through the microphone. I would even scratch the mic on the speaker to make it sound like a DJ. Then at 9 I started recording my self freestyling. I used to set up a little piano and a fake drum set. Music was always there for me, as I grew I just started to record better and take it more serious.
You got the beats and the rhymes, MeLo-X, how was this alias born and what does it mean?
My first name was Chico, so all my rhymes had Chico in it. When was in High School I realized a Jamaican named Chico wasn’t too hot. So I needed a name that sounded the same. Me and my friend were in his house throwing out names and I said XMelo. He suggested that I say it as MeLo-X. So we went out side and I tagged it up on a wall and I liked how It looked. I guess it’s both sides of me. I’m a mellow guy but I also have that X factor.
Your latest album Dusty Time Warped Vibes is entirely instrumental, not being just purely a rapper but also being able to lay down beats, which came first production or rhyming?
Well technically they started at the same time. But I would say I was rhyming first then decided to DJ and produce. Being a producer really came last. Because I was collecting classic vintage vinyl I always found records that I wanted to sample and make beats with.
What software are you using? Do you use any hardware?
My main software is Fruity Loops, I know the program from front to back. I record vocals, samples and live instruments into the program. I do mixtapes, remixes and mastering in there. It’s the best program for beat and audio recording in my opinion. On the Dusty Time Warped Vibes album I used hardware too, like the Boss SP 505 and and Akai S950.
Your latest remake track was Day N Nite, were you going after Kid CuDi on this one?
No way! There’s no way to top that modern day classic. Only reason I did it was because I kept hearing remixes that sounded just like the original but very crappy. Cudi’s style and voice meshed so great with that track, that’s why it is so great. So instead of just doing the same shit I decided to sample the most recognizable aspect of the beat and create a more up tempo demonic version. It took me about 2 months to completely write the song, a lot of dark nights and train rides to make it happen.
Amongst the new generation of Hip Hop what artists out there are you feeling?
Nikki NTU, Theophilus London, Mickey Factz, Blu, UNI, Drake, Outasight, Print, Jay Electronica and Loj. There’s more but those artists’ projects I really vibe out too.
You’ve got a swagger about you, some see similarities to Andre 3000. Where do you get your clothes from and what inspires your style?
My clothes usually comes from two places. Either thrift shops and vintage spots or from actual designers and clothing companies who I know on a personal level. I like wearing clothes from people I actually know. I just feel ultra cool that I know the people who made this shit that I’m wearing.
My style is inspired by everyday life and the people I hang with and vibe with. At the end of the day we all inspire each other. A lot of my style of dress comes from my close friends like Quan of ALIEN, that’s my dude. We been inspiring each other for years. Since I do photography I get a lot of my looks from a combination of lifestyle magazines and fashion mags. I have no limit to what I can do. When it comes to fashion I do what I want. After this European tour I’m planning on cutting my beard and hair so I’ll look like a whole different person.
What trainers (or sneakers, kicks, heat) are you donning?
Well I’m not really into sneakers like that. The only big thing for me is Adidas. I have been wearing nothing but Adidas for the past 10 years. I have not worn any other brand on my feet since the 90′s and I don’t plan to. I’m very picky and hard headed with what I wear so I have no problem with only wearing Adidas for the rest of my life!
How excited are you about the forthcoming tour of Europe alongside Theophilus London?
I’m so hype about this tour in Europe it will be my first time out there. Since I’ve put the word out about the tour a lot of fans in Europe have hit me up. It amazes me to know I have fans over here. Mickey Factz always makes fun of me because I’ll always think no one knows me or cares what I’m doing in my little corner but I see now that’s not the case.
How did you meet Theophilus London?
I met Theophilus at a open mic a few years back. He performed and I performed at the same event. When I first heard his music I was like hmmm… I didn’t get it. But I realised that for the rest of that month I actually knew all the words to his songs. That’s when I did my research and found out more about him. Since then we always had the same group of music friends so we would always be chillin’. Then we began to chill in Brooklyn and vibe out, that’s how we got close. Dude is like my brother now.
Tell us some more about the “X Marks the Spot” tour, what can Londoners expect from the show?
Well for this tour I will be DJing for artists like Mickey Factz and Theophilus London as well as doing major events in NYC and Europe. My name as a DJ has always been big so I’m travelling more as a DJ than a artist. All that will change by the end of this year but for now I am still solidifying my name as a great DJ. I have one of the biggest events in NYC called Electric Punanny with DJ Jasmine Solano, Roxy Cottontail, and Tone of Photobytone.com. It’s a blend of Reggae and Electro all night
We need some videos, would you (and Theophilus London) be up for doing a freestyle? The challenge will be to use the word nerdbanite!
Hahaha! I’m sure we could make that happen. Me and Theo freestyle all the time.
You’ve got your own blog, but what other blogs do you read?
Buggin’ Out
Herfection
2dopeboyz
Pardon Me Duke
Kanye Universe City
For more info on Melo-X: http://www.myspace.com/meloxtra
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MeLo-X – She is Forever (Feat. Theophilus London & Jesse Boykins III) (Demo) [Music] | SongZiGe — October 27, 2010 @ 4:54 PM
By MeLo-X, April 16, 2009 @ 12:06 PM
thanx alot famz
im at yoyo London Tonight Come say wass up if you can
Peace!!!