Melo KAN

The L.A. rapper goes against the grain in a bold & beautiful approach to uplifting today’s women

Up and coming L.A. rapper Melo KĀN took his bold “Royal” campaign a step further with his controversial cover of Chris Brown’s hit record “Loyal.” Melo KĀN’s “Royal” rendition highlights how women may be victims of rape and abuse that leave haunting affects on how they conduct themselves as adults, while also challenging men to start giving women the respect they truly deserve.

With standout lyrics including “Real men teach boys women ought to be respected...These girls are royal. My job as a man is to protect and love you,” Melo KĀN belts out an entirely new song with a meaningful purpose over the popular track. The creative artist also releases stunning visuals featuring Melo painting the word “Royal” on the beautiful bare back of model Bria Myles while highlighting women everywhere as “Queens” instead of “hoes.”

Daring and unpredictable, you never know what Melo KĀN, best known for his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the song “You Don’t Like,” might release next in his buzzed about “Royal” campaign. Melo Kan recently released an incredible record titled ShoOut which is another ode to beautiful women empowering them to ShoOut! Stay tuned… - HipHopOndeck.com

Up and coming L.A. rapper Melo KĀN takes his bold new “Royal” campaign a step further with a controversial new cover of Chris Brown’s hit record “These Girls Ain’t Loyal.” Melo KĀN’s “Royal” rendition highlights how women may be victims of rape and abuse that leave haunting affects on how they conduct themselves as adults, while also challenging men to start giving our women the respect they truly deserve.

With standout lyrics including “Real men teach boys women ought to be respected…These girls are royal. My job as a man is to protect and love you,” Melo KĀN belts out an entirely new song with a meaningful purpose over the popular track.


Daring and unpredictable, you never know what Melo KĀN, best known for his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the song “You Don’t Like,” might release next in his buzzed about “Royal” campaign. Stay tuned

Keep up with Melo KĀN and his “Royal” Campaign on Twitter and Instagram: @MeloKAN - The Industry Cosign

Melo KAN - Royal (Loyal Cover) - VLAD TV

The LA rap artist drops another visual following the success of his last single “Bluez Man.”

Melo KAN, LA’s socially conscious rapper on the rise, drops a creative new visual for his latest record titled “Push Thru.” The single gives fans a taste of what to expect from the guitar-toting lyricist on his upcoming EP dubbed The Melo KAN Lounge coming soon.

“This video is significant to me because it’s loosely based off of my own life. I feel that sometimes just knowing someone has walked thru similar struggles and pushed thru, it provides hope. This video is hope in a visual,” the thought-provoking artist explains.

Melo KAN, best known for his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the song “You Don’t Like,” recently hosted a star-studded red carpet party in Hollywood celebrating the release of his new video. The rising star garnered a slew of new fans with his captivating performance along with an award winning live band lead by music director Nisan Stewart.

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“Like most of The Melo KAN Lounge EP, “Push Thru” is something inspirational. I’m ecstatic about dropping the EP because of the responses I’ve received from “Bluez Man” and I anticipate the release of “Push Thru” to be even bigger!” Melo says. “Music needs this right now to offset the club “turn up.” This is that life. ‘Turn Up!'”

Keep up with Melo KAN online on Twitter and Instagram.

– Scott Randell (@iamscottrandell) - The Source

Melo KAN drops a thought provoking new single titled “Bluez Man.” The soulful record is a thrilling precursor of what fans can expect from his upcoming EP “The Melo KAN Lounge,” listen to it below.

Read More: Melo KAN “Bluez Man” - XXL | http://www.xxlmag.com/events/2014/09/444056/?trackback=tsmclip - XXL

My Daily Joe: How would Melo Kan describe his daily grind, when it comes to creating music? What inspires you?



Melo Kan: I’m inspired by people. Everyone has a story. The details of each story may differ but the undertones carry commonality. There’s always a struggle and what separates the stories we hear versus the stories we don’t revolve around how we deal with those struggles. The “will” of people to overcome has always been inspiring to me.



My Daily Joe: That’s some real stuff, much respect for your perspective… You have some political undertones, would you say your music is politically motivated?



Melo Kan: Nah, I mean I don’t really care too much for “politrix”. I just give a holistic view of what’s going on and leave it up to the listener to decide to do something or not. But those who do nothing must remember that they reserve no right to complain about their way of life and treatment in the world etc.



My Daily Joe: True and those who do nothing are the first crying injustice [laughing], but moving on, do you think there are actual politics in hip hop beyond the contracts and boardrooms?



Melo Kan: Absolutely, hip hop has been hijacked by a machine who wants nothing more than to keep young black people in a docile state so we can perpetuate a consumerist attitude and be indefinitely dependent on a system that has constantly failed us.



My Daily Joe: Do you believe there’s a 99 percent in hip hop that are structured to stay out of the mainstream label pool?



Melo Kan: I’m not sure about those percentages but there are definitely people they don’t want getting out into the mainstream because of the type of artists they are. An equally important question, who is the 1%?



My Daily Joe: Alright, now you just released a new project “Mama’s Only Sun”, are you your mama’s only son? If so how does that impact the message towards women in your music?



Melo Kan: I am absolutely Mama’s Only Sun. I went through periods where I was disrespectful to a certain type of woman in my music, but it was only because I was lost myself. The more I grow as a man and artist, I understand that some women have it rough enough already without us putting more on top of them by degrading them and being disrespectful. They just need more love and reinforcement that delivers a message that they don’t have to live the image that has been given to them. At least that’s how I see it.



My Daily Joe: What can people expect from this project?



Melo Kan: Hard beats, dope rhymes, heavy and light content but always consistent with progression.



My Daily Joe: I downloaded my copy from your website and this project goes hard! Your lyrical versatility is bi-coastal; does that give you an advantage above other artists that mainly stick to one regional sound?



Melo Kan: I’m sure it does. I refuse to be a local artist. My message is universal and therefore I as an artist must be viewed in the same vein. But understand also, that certain artist don’t want more than regional success. That’s cool too. As for me, I want worldwide recognition.



My Daily Joe: Who were some of your musical influences at the time you decided to peruse a career in music?



Melo Kan: Off top Makaveli, Frank Wright, Nas and probably Ice Cube at the time.



My Daily Joe: Those are respectable picks. What are some of the advantages of being and indie artist?



Melo Kan: Creative Control!!! I go and create records I want to make without pressure from ANYBODY, so it’s always a genuinely organic experience. I love that.



My Daily Joe: Jumping back to the new project, who produced it?



Melo Kan: Mama’s Only Sun has production by Ric Rude, Grammy Award winning production team 1500 Or Nothin’, and Claws. THX mixed the whole thing though, so shout out to him for making it sound so krispy. Yehdat!



My Daily Joe: You have a few features on there, which goes the hardest with you?


- Mydailyjoe

Ruckus: Who is Melo Kan and where are you from?

Melo Kan: Melo Kan is an artist's artist. Never aspiring but always inspiring. Cali born and raised.

Ruckus: Describe your style of music?

Melo Kan: My style of music's soulful with poignant yet thought provoking lyrics.

Ruckus: Do you believe where you're from has a major influence on the type of music you create?

Melo Kan: It would be inaccurate to say it has no influence, because we're all products of "our" environments.But, in my opinion I can say that it has minimal impact. There was a point in time where I didn't know where an artist was from, I was simply drawn to his/her music. This is how it should be. Too many people judge music now simply off demographics.

Ruckus: When did you know that music was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

Melo Kan: I'd say around 2001.

Ruckus: What else do you do outside of music? What's Blokk Movement?

Melo Kan: I'm involved in the community as much as possible. Blokk Movement is basically my community extension where we do clothes drives for the homeless, literacy drives for elementary school children, education on proper diets, coach 5-7 year old football teams to name a few. We are just changing the face of the block, getting involved and being the change we wish to see.

Ruckus: Your latest project "The Unkomfortable Silence" has been building momentum, especially with the release of the music video for your smash single "Easy". What was your premise behind this project?

Melo Kan: Yes indeed. This project was pretty much my re-emergence after my 2007 indie album "EPU" which won peoples choice album of the year at the Independent Music Awards. I just wanted to let folks know that I haven't slowed down and don't blink cause you might miss something.

Ruckus: Do you feel like your music will change the future of hip-hop and do you really want to?

Melo Kan: Yes and no. Any change that's effective comes from within. So my focus is mainly projecting my ideas of how I see the world currently and what it could be. As I grow, so will my music and in turn so will those impacted by my music.

Ruckus: What artists do you have in heavy rotation in your media player?

Melo Kan: Right now I have The Roots "Undun" and Young Jeezy TM103 in rotation.

Ruckus: Back tracking a little bit, how did you get your name? What's the meaning?

Melo Kan: I got the name Melo when I was in the 8th grade. I'm just a chill type cat usually even tempered so it just stuck with me. KAN is actually an acronym for something. I'll just tell you the K is for Krazy and let you figure the rest out. [Laughing]

Ruckus: Do you feel like people type-cast you for the music you create before listening to it because it's not so commercial?

Melo Kan: I actually had a producer tell me he thought I was just a underground back pack type of rapper. Once I got in the booth with him and made something dope to everything he threw at me, I got his respect as a songwriter. He realized how versatile I was and that freed up a whole new world to our working relationship. No boundaries.

Ruckus: In your opinion is this something that helps or hinders you?

Melo Kan: I don't think either. My work ethic is usually what impresses people most.

Ruckus: Can you see yourself doing music for the rest of your life or is this a platform for other ventures?

Melo Kan: Both. I'll always make music, but I definitely see it more as a platform to educate.

Ruckus: If given the opportunity to sign to a major label would you?

Melo Kan: If the numbers were right, absolutely.

Ruckus: Do you see yourself as a role model to the younger Hip Hop crowd or is that important?

Melo Kan: Definitely. They need another side of the "same ole story" they receive from the majority of today's "hottest" artists. I would love to give them that balance, that truth, and that inspiration to ascend.

Ruckus: What will the future be like for Melo Kan and is - Ruckus From HYPE Magazine

Melo Kan (@melokan) stands firmly in the cross roads of west coast hip hop’s past and present-future. The emcee hailing from Compton, California looks to one side at all those who came before him; Cube, Pac, E-40, Dre, Snoop and many others who laid the concrete path and then he looks to the other side at the mounting tsunami of hungry emcees waiting to crash onto the scene. Taking it all in he asks himself what’s the difference between me and my counterparts? His answer “Nothing we’re all chasing a dream and wanting to be heard. Lyrical Postmen/women is what I call us, because we have a message to deliver to the people.”

The recent release of Melo Kan’s latest EP “Mama’s Only Sun” is definitely raising the bar and solidifying the seasoned emcee’s position as a leader in the west coast’s next generation of hip hop trendsetters. With production by Grammy award winning Production Company 1500 or Nothing and features by Kendrick Lamar and crossover heat makers Melo delivers steadfast rhymes aimed at entertaining listeners while promoting a higher level of personal intellect.

KBB: What’s going on Melo Kan? Let’s dive right in. Being a fairly new artist from the West Coast, how important is it to establish your own identity from the stigma of gangster rap Cali is known for?
Melo Kan: Do you remember “To Live and Die in LA” by Makaveli when he says “every n***a in LA got a little bit of thug in’em”? That’s how I feel. So, some of that’ll seep thru but it’s imperative to me as an artist that the larger portion of my identity be associated with something more progressive.

KBB: What sets you apart from other MCs in your niche of hip hop?
Melo Kan: I get that question all the time. And really I feel we are more similar than different. In my “niche” we’re all chasing a dream and wanting to be heard. Lyrical Postmen/women is what I call us, because we have a message to deliver to the people.

KBB: Do you feel the odds are stacked against you because you’re style doesn’t fit commercial standards?
Melo Kan: Absolutely, but I welcome the challenge. There’s no progress without struggle. Will a man of peace not be tested with war? The key is to stay true to who you are.

KBB: Do you think the level of intellect has an impact on the type of music an artist creates?
Melo Kan: Of course, if your life experience only consists of your ten block radius that you call a hood, and you don’t read, or desire to know anything other than what you see, then your content will be limited. As I’m sure we can all testify to the monotony of the music today.

KBB: Do you feel artists that have yet to break the seal on their own career stand in a place to critique others?
Melo Kan: Anyone can be a critic. People that can’t even right a lyric or play a drum are in charge of telling the people what’s “hot”. Therefore, it’s implicit in being an artist that people will view, analyze, and criticize your work.

KBB: With advances in social media, many artists are building superficial “celebrity”. Do you think this helps or hinders their success and longevity?
Melo Kan: It’s competitive out there. You really have to just get in where you fit in. Social media has helped artists where a label might not have given them the chance.

KBB: The music conference season is in full swing, how important is it for aspiring talent to attend these events?
Melo Kan: I think it’s good for any artist to check them out and see what goes on.

KBB: Are there benefits of these types of industry gatherings?
Melo Kan: You definitely can make connections. This business is a heavy percentage of who you know.

KBB: Who are a few unsigned artists and MCs that you rock to on a regular?
Melo Kan: Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar, Yelawolf (well I guess he is signed now), S-Mak, El Prez, Lite, Remy Ranthoven, Chris Focus, shoot a bunch of dudes [laughing].

KBB: What do you feel is the biggest challenges independent artist face?
Melo Kan: Self-destruction; A lot of indie - Killerboombox

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Radio Program

Interview - Examiner.com

Interview - DrankanDdank.com

Interview - MusiconPlay.net

Interview - The9elements.com

Melo Kan chats w/ Musicthread.net in this amazing spotlight interview.
- Musicthread.net

Music is Life Magazine features sophomore Cali emcee Melo Kan - Music is Life Magazine

Melo Kan chats w/ the West Coasts number one media site for this exclusive interview. - DubCNN

Melo Kan interview - Radio Program

Melo Kan interview - Radio Program

Interview w/ Melo Kan - Radio Program

Newbeats Media Review on Melo Kan's single "Signs" - newbeatsmedia.com

July 09, 2010
MEDIA ALERT: MELO KAN “THE UNKOMFORTABLE SILENCE” ALBUM RELEASE AND FREE SHOW

July 9, 2010- Las Vegas- 4LB Records announces the release of the album “The Unkomfortable Silence” by California hip hop lyricist Melo Kan. This highly anticipated event promises to be one of California’s hottest events of the summer with a live band performance by Melo Kan, performing original music from “The Unkomfortable Silence”.

WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 9pm

WHAT: Melo Kan Album Release Party

WHERE: “The Fire House” 29123 Narbonne Ave, Lomita CA 90717

Members of the media will have an opportunity to interview Melo Kan about “The Unkomfortable Silence”.

# # #

ABOUT Melo Kan-

As a forerunner of the “New West” hip hop scene, following Dr. Dre’s protégé, The Game, Melo Kan blazes the streets with continuous hits consisting of hardcore, clever, and catchy lyrics that captivate hip hop fans and concert goers nation wide opening for artist Mike Jones, Dead Prez and Little Brother. The release of his highly anticipated project E.P.U catapulted Melo to the forefront of the underground rap scene, winning him the 2008 Independent Music Awards Rap/Hip Hop Viewers choice “Album of the Year”; introducing the MC to a new fan base and mix tape repertoire.
Looking to follow up the success with “The Unkomfortable Silence” This album promises to be Melo Kan’s most impressive accompanied by production from industry renowned Hit Keys, T.A.T., For’Son, FOC and Stan Beats.

Please view www.melokan.com for more information on Melo Kan.

Additional details & media/publicity confirmations & credentials please contact: Ariel Goode, ariegoode@leira-pr.com

(Via Hip Hop Press)
- Brainstormlive

Artist(s):Melo Kan
Album Name: The Unkomfortable Silence
Year of Release: 2010

Overall Rating: ???½?

Melo Kan - The Unkomfortable SilenceFrom Xzibit, to Planet Asia, to the Game; the west coast has always brought about some of the best lyricists to the industry. For as much as some people sleep on the west coast artists at times; Melo Kan’s latest release will bring back that fervor that fans of REAL LIFE HIP HOP with something RELEVANT will appreciate. I can see most of them making placement on their iPods and MP3 players for this album, as it is definitely a rising artist you WANT to keep an eye on!

The Unkomfortable Silence starts off with a display of lyricism if nothing else. Melo Kan proves in the first few minutes that he is not an amateur at wordplay. He continues this throughout the WHOLE ALBUM without failure. Lyrics like, “You the reason why my people sick and tired of rap / so they sent me to provide what you lack.” in Kome Alive make it obvious he’s not in this for the popularity or the nonsense.

Most of the album is pretty much a composition of hard beats with a jazz/blues feel, with the exception of a few tracks that were more standard to what most people hear on both coasts. His ability to blend the styles of music and even the dialects of Hip Hop is impressive. He proved clearly he could rock on BOTH COASTS with no problem at all.

Some of the hooks on the album needed work, and it can probably be said that these are his weakest parts of the album. Tracks like The Learning, Klean It, and The Bawse left me wanting a bit more from the hooks, and sometimes lost me in monotonous chants that really didn’t lead out of or into any of the verses well.

One thing that can be said is that the engineer was ON HIS JOB with this album. Most of the mixes were clean and well thought out. There were only a few mixes that seemed a bit out of place, such as The Bawse, which suffered from acute crashes that were a bit distracting along with the hook on Blue Lines which could have been edited to make the layers a bit less distinctive and crowded.

Overall, this album gets a BIG UPS for the artist on the west coast that brings this kind of heat. Melo is not your average emcee, and he is DEFINITELY AN EMCEE without any doubts. Peep out some of the hottest tracks on here, which would be Kreepin’ and My World and make sure you put those speakers on BLAST!!!! - Bootslap Rap

Up until recently I was completely unaware of who California-based rapper, Melo Kan was. That was until I discovered his latest track, Signs. Upon hearing the track I was instantly captivated by the catchy lyrics, chirpy melody and Melo Kan’s faultless delivery of the track.

Melo Kan is not some mercenary who has identified the continued growth of mainstream popularity that the hip hop music scene has enjoyed over the last decade and latched on to it to try and take his share of the financial spoils. Kan has been recording hip hop tracks for a decade without financial assistance from investors or record label executives. He was seen as a forerunner to the “New West” hip hop scene. The “New West” phrase was created after rap icon, Dr Dre gave California resident, The Game, the platform to go on and achieve massive commercial success. As The Game’s career went from strength to strength, he played a key role in reviving the fortunes of the West Coast rap music scene. At the turn of the century mainstream West Coast rappers were rare whilst the East Coast and Southern US states were churning out hit after hit. In 2000 the West Coast’s rap scene was virtually dormant after famously dominating radio station playlists and record sales in the early-mid 1990s thanks to acts like NWA, Snoop Dogg and 2Pac taking hip hop’s popularity to pandemic levels in the US and beyond that had previously been unseen. Melo’s continued commitment to create music that entertains and inspires has seen the West Coast hip hop scene flourish and there is a real buzz among rap fans about Kan’s work.

Signs is a real radio friendly track that will push the barriers and appeal to fans of rap and non-rap fans alike. It is the ideal promotional tool for his next album, The Heart Of The City, which is due for release in the summer. Production on the album is being provided by industry heavyweight, THX, who has previously worked alongside Snoop Dogg.

As a fan of rap music, I was disappointed that I had missed out on hearing Melo Kan’s previous work, so over the last week I made a concerted effort to check out some of his tracks from his extensive back catalogue that comprises of ten mixtapes and one officially released album from 2008 called, EPU. The aspects that remained consistent with Signs were Melo’s faultless delivery and flow. Melo has drawn comparisons from underground music fans to hip hop legend, Nas, who is renowned for creating deep, meaningful and thought-provoking tracks. After hearing Kan tackle issues like homelessness and racial inequality I don’t think that comparison is outlandish.

Melo Kan is the most exciting ‘new’ artist I have heard, so far, this year. - New Beats Media

http://www.eazeest.com/2009/04/melo-kan-viper-room.html
Melo KAN will be rocking a live set at the Viper Room tonight with a LIVE band. He should be up no later than 10:30. So head up there, check out some real ish...then speed over to the Floss Angeles Knightz show. If you've never seen Melo rock LIVE, you need to make a pit stop here b4 you do anything else tonight - TheViperRoom

http://www.eazeest.com/2009/03/melo-kan-x-da-blokk-movement-x-book.html
The Kids need our help!! Support 4LB Records Literacy drive for the youth in the community.
I have to commend, applaud and pub this noble act by a local artist that is already getting active in the urban community with no major label or multi-million dollar annual salary feeding his pocket. But if you listen to his music, you'd know that already. This friday will mark the end of the book drive they are doing for the 5th graders at 95th Street Elementary School. I sent this out to different contacts so just to cover every avenue I'm posting here on the blog. They are looking to collect 200 books and present them to the students on the 27th. To get involved please call 925.305.9130 TODAY and get the details. Appreciate the support. Look for more things like this from Melo KAN and Da Blokk Movement as they push more and more events for their Rhymes & Reading program.

- Blokk Movement Rhymes and Reading

http://www.eazeest.com/2009/02/melo-kan-x-dead-prez-friday-night.html
Melo KAN will be performing LIVE with Dead Prez on Friday night at the Key Club in Hollywood. This should be a pretty dope show as plenty of socio-political rap lines will be spilled out to the public. For advanced/discounted tix go to Melo's myspace page - Key Club

http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/index.php?s=epu
Selected among thousands of artists and albums across the country, Melo Kan's E.P.U. stood as it title suggests "Out of many, there is one" and took the award for best hip hop/rap album of the year for 2008. - Winner 2008 Best Hip Hop/Rap Album of the Year

In a very emotional and uplifting premiere of his new series, Melo talks about noticeable black women in Hollywood who have been through rough paths dealing with rape, domestic and sexual abuse, and slavery. These “she-roes” include Oprah, Rihanna, Gabrielle Union, Fantasia and Maya Angelou. Melo’s goal is to raise awareness on the mistreatment and disrespect directed towards black women from black men and encouraging us to replace the value we have stolen from them. “As long as I have a voice, as long as I’m breathing, ya’ll are going to see me put [black women] back where they need to be and I challenge all ya’ll to do the same. I stand for this, this is my real existence,” Melo says.

https://youtu.be/6QR7otob5ms

Melo KAN is also gearing up to release his EP “Melo KAN Lounge” which features his two recently released singles “Bluez Man” and “Push Thru”. Melo KAN’s most noticeable work is his feature with fellow L.A emcee Kendrick Lamar on the song “You Don’t Like”.

Due to all the racial injustice we have been facing recently, it is clutch to have a guy like Melo KAN at this very needing time. You can follow Melo KAN on Twitter and Instagram: @MeloKAN. - Kontrol Girl Magazine