I met K-Illa, real name Dwight, by chance while talking to Reddz. After that encounter I had the opportunity several more times and he is a really cool person, very savvy musically and overflowing with confidence. I heard a couple of his songs and thought, yeah he is nice with it; but then he brought over his new joint ‘Swagger Man’ in the middle of the night and I realized after hearing it that he is not just nice with it…he understands how to be special.

The 25 year old artist has drive, lyrics, punch lines and a wealth of talent; all are heard in ‘Swagger Man’, a sure anthem for those “swaggerific” people. The hook is catchy, the concept is dope and the word play is fire. Belizeans….stand up

 

Download link for this song: soundcloud

Floyd “Redz Di Mastapiece” Lacayo is the producer behind ‘See I Rise’ from Mr.Programme and with that intrigue driving me, I went over to the Doted Quaver studio in Belize City with an old friend, Edmund who runs Inspirational Promotions to interview the cast he was currently working with.

After spending half hour in the room it was clear that Redz’s Materpiece Productions was the engine that could drive the careers of a lot of talented Belizean Artists. Within a two hour listening session I heard hits in the Soca, Hip-Hop and even Brukdown genre. I promise you that ‘See I Rise’ was not a fluke production; this camp has undeniable sounds that Belize will be proud of, end of conversation.

With that said below is the first of a series of videos I will be dropping from this interview. The first video introduces a sparkling young artist affiliated with Masterpiece Productions; I bring to you, TY.

MC Melo isn’t that Belizean rapper (or artist) trying to impose his latest freestyle on the world or trying his best to sound foreign, in hopes of acceptance. Instead, he is just himself: Belizean, creative, funny and thorough. Although he is a new rapper, MC Melo’s one mixtape has done enough in anyone’s mind, that has listened to it, to convince them that he is a breath of fresh air; especially for those who had given up on Belizean rap. With his creative punch lines, impressive flow and surprisingly great quality, it will be easy to see (or hear) why.

So how old are you?

Melo: I’m 20

How long have you been a mc?

Melo: Hmmmm I started when I was 12, then I stopped and started back when I was around 17 but I was doing dancehall; now I do hip hop… been doing hip hop for about 1yr now.

Where did the name MC Melo come from?

Melo: My Real Name is Zane Vince Melendrez, so people just use to call me mele or melo for short. I put d mc in front of it cause its stands for master of ceremonies and when I’m on stage I try my best to control it and interact with the crowd.

So are you a full time MC or do you do other things?

Melo: I’m a fulltime student at the University of Belize in the Belmopan branch. I major in English.

So what made you get into music?

Melo: From I small you know, I just always been a music lover. Just singing along to songs and making my own stuff up (lol), even if da mi loan foolishness .I guess da caz it was a good outlet to help me express myself and I got something to say, so the best way to let people hear it is through my music.

What are some of your current projects?

Melo: Well I just released a mini-mixtape which is up for free download suh people could hear me and some of my songs. I only got 1 original song so far; I am working on 2 more weh I soon record because I wanna be ready for d stage anytime it calls me. I am under a music label named Jag Camp Entertainment and we are working on a demo tape and the group Jag Camp is supposed to drop an album this year.

So what is your favourite song that you have recorded so far?

Melo: Hmmm umm probably a prayer song named “Our Father”. I’m going to record it over soon under the Jag Camp but “Our Father” was a song about me praying about everything I see happening and that’s happening with me.

What are some of the challenges of being a Belizean artist?

Melo: (Lol ) Main!!! You know it’s a lot… a lot!!!!!! See… people hardly ever give Belizean Artists a chance. People have low expectations and don’t expect to hear much just because you are local. In hip hop, the genre I’m in, it is extra hard because to be a rapper anywhere you’ve got to be saying something new and you’ve got to rep where you come from. Saying something new is just based on creativity, so I can do that but it’s hard to rep where you come from if you ain’t getting no love from there. 

So what are you doing to change some of those stereo types?

 Melo: Just doing my thing bringing a new vibe, bringing creativity and good quality material.

 What are some of the positives of being a Belizean artist that you have experienced so far?

 Melo: Just expressing yourself through your music, reppin where you come from and having those who give Belize music a chance, enjoy and listen to it…..oo and this interview (lol).

(lol) What rap artist did you or do you admire the most?

Melo: Hmmm… my favourite rapper or rappers…I like Joell Ortiz, he’s a NY rapper; he’s kind of an underground rapper, so a lot of people don’t really know about him. Besides him there’s Jay-z, Kanye West & Drake.

How would you describe your rap style?

Melo: Umm, you know I’m mostly about what’s happening around me and what’s happening in the world. I don’t really have a main topic, I just express myself. Some days I’ll feel like praying, some days I feel like hooking up with a fly chick. I think I just do me.

So what are the future plans for MC Melo?

Melo: You know this mini mixtape is just my first move and after listening to it, I see a lot of room for improvement. So its guaranteed next time I go in the studio it’s gonna be way harder than the songs I had before. I guess I will just keep on improving, progressing and see what happens.

Anyone you want to thank or shout out at this point?

Melo: Shout out to Jag Camp Ent, Deady on Da Beatz, Belmopan and Cama, wadd up!!!

Check out MC Melo’s original track “Blue Note Hunter