Melymel (born 6 May 1988) is a Dominican rapper and actress known as "La Mama del Rap".[2]
Melymel | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Melony Redondo |
| Born | 6 May 1988 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels |
|
Early life
editMelony was born on May 6, 1988, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 1998 she started becoming interested in rapping, in her childhood she was influenced in this genre by American rapper Tupac, when she heard him for the first time at only 8 years old. At the age of 12 she began to write verses and developed Freestyle abilities.[3]
Career
editShe recorded her first song in 2005 after meeting producer Nico member of Dominican group JN3, she released her first R&B and Hip hop song on 2006 titled "Fresa" which led her to be the opening act for rappers N.O.R.E and Tony Touch.
In 2007 she released her first mixtape Sensacion Mermelada which met success in New York and South Africa.
She released her eponymous debut studio album in 2011 Melymel, in 2014 she released her sophomore studio album Eva Del Rap, in 2015 she released her fourth Untese and in 2018 she released her last studio album titled Dragon Queen.[4]
In 2019 she collaborated with Ivy Queen in a song called "Se te apagó la luz".[5]
Her music video for her single "IDGAF" has reached 5 million views on YouTube,[6] while her music videos for "Si No Te Amara", "Su Calor", "No One" with Mozart La Para" and "Mente Daña" reached over 17 million views, 2.8 million views, 2.7 million views, and 1.8 million views respectively.[7]
Artistry
editMelymel is known for the fierce and raw honesty of her lyricism. She has named Tupac and Lauryn Hill as her musical heroes, calling them "her two biggest inspirations". She also stated that "Kendrick Lamar for her is the rapper that most resembles what Tupac used to do back in the day, so he's like her actual crush."[8]
She also cited reggaeton female singer Ivy Queen as one of her inspirations explaining that "I feel identified with Ivy, since I have experienced many things that she experienced in the genre because she is a woman and I have come away with scars, but stronger than ever, it is an achievement for my career to be able to collaborate with one of my idols".[9]
Heritage
editMelymel has been referred to as "The Mother of Rap" in her country for being the first female rapper to be launched in the Dominican Republic,[10][11] she is the most respected female rapper in rap genre there.[12]
She stated in an interview that "That it was a struggle to gain the level of respect she wanted, resources were scarce and support was limited, but eventually she managed to entrench herself in the movement, and grow along with it".[13] Billboard praised her rap legacy in 2017, stating she "...is easily one of the most gifted lyricists in the Latin rap game".[14]
Chicago Tribune emphasized in an article that "Before Cardi B or Natti Natasha, there was already a woman with strong presence in Urban music, that was Melymel, who since 2005 began to make a place by herself in her country's scene."[15]
Discography
edit- Melymel
- Eva Del Rap
- Untese
- Dragon Queen
Filmography
editAs an actress she appeared in 10 films.[16]
| Year | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Loca y Atrapadas | Lola |
| 2017 | Voces De La Calle | Angie |
| 2017 | Mission Star | Blanca |
| 2017 | Todas Las Mujeres Son Iguales | Invited |
| 2018 | Hermanos | Marina |
| 2019 | Kanibarú | Invited |
| 2019 | El Equpito, Todo Por Una Herencia | Sussy |
| 2020 | The Caribbean (All In Exclusive) | Alma Damaris |
| 2021 | El Ídolo | Invited |
| 2022 | La Trampa | Patricia |
References
edit- ^ "Melymel - Spotify - Description Section". Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Roiz, Jessica (January 14, 2021). "12 Latina Rappers You Should Know About: Nathy Peluso, Farina, Nesi & More". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel The First Female Dominican Rapper" (in Spanish). Conect DO. May 6, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel". Apple Music. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Jae Leiber, Sarah (January 18, 2019). "Melymel Drops New Video With Ivy Queen On Rolling Stone". Broadway World. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Estevez, Marjua (May 4, 2022). "Dear Rochy RD Fans, When Will "La Cultura" Protect Our Women & Girls?". Refinery29. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel youtube music". Youtube Music. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Hansen, Lena (September 18, 2019). "5 Things to Know About Melymel, Who'll Be Performing at People en Español's Festival". People. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel Consolidates With Her Unique Style". Wao Magazine (in Spanish). May 22, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Exposito, Suzy (January 17, 2019). "Melymel and Ivy Queen Get Bossy in New Video for 'Se Te Apago La Luz'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel On Her Crush For Kendrick Lamar & Choosing Between Tupac & Biggie". Power106 FM. July 24, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel The Mother of Rap Claims She's a Simple Woman" (in Spanish). Telemundo. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Draughorne, Kenan (July 6, 2018). "MELYMEL TALKS ACTING, UPCOMING "DRAGON QUEEN" ALBUM & COMMERCIALIZATION OF TRAP MUSIC". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Estevez, Marjua (December 7, 2017). "Pandora's 2018 Latin Artists to Watch List Introduces a Promising Wave of Diverse Acts: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Orozco, Gisela (March 14, 2019). "Melymel, "The Mother of Rap"". Chicago Tribune (in Spanish). Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Melymel Actress History". IMDB. Retrieved June 27, 2022.