Meleka is the hottest singer on road right now, working with the likes of Crazy Cousinz and Basement Jaxx to name a few. Her new single GO, has been tearing up the clubs and is officvially the ladies anthem for all the wastemen out there. JP caught up with her to talk funky, fashion and Kelis?
 
Who?
 
I am Meleka, a young lady who likes to sing, song write, and perform, but who also loves shoes, fashion and music...
 
The beginning?
 
I don’t know how it began really, I have always had a passion for music and performing, my dad was a producer so I was always surrounded by music. I used to attend dancing and acting classes and I actually won my first talent contest when I was 6, so I suppose its been all go since then, no pun intended. (Laughs)
 
Influences?
 
My influences are varied, I grew up in a musical household in which my dad would be playing Freddie McGregor and Bettie Wright, whilst my mum was listening to 2Pac and R.Kelly and my Nan and I would watch Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, I love musicals. Right now as I'm recording my album and I am trying to listen to a bunch of different artists, but my personal preferences are people such as Lauren hill, Mary J, and Brandy.
 
Funky house?
 
It all happened when I won Hugo urban rules. Crazy Cousinz remixed GO, which was originally a slow song and they turned it funky for me. It's funny you ask when did I decide to do funky, because I actually didn’t it just happened, we have just been lucky that GO has grown into a club banger! I think sometimes it's better when things just happen like that, you know?
 
MCs?
 
Yeah, definitely I think it's great. I mean 5 years ago it would have been difficult for a UK artist to get the exposure that people like myself are getting, even to see Tinchy and N-dubz having chart topping songs and Donaeo performing (funky house) at the MOBO's. The main thing is that a lot of these artists are doing it for themselves and we have had to prove ourselves before major label got involved, so there is so much more substance to music at the moment. I also think it's good that as an urban scene people are working together and trying to do something positive!
 
Producers?
 
I am open to working with anybody, I am loving Chrisette Michelle's new album which was practically written and produced by Neyo and also Scott Storch and Rodney Jerkins. as I said before, I am a huge Brandy fan and Rodney was a main driving force behind her success musically at least. One day...
 
GO?
 
We didn’t expect GO to be as big as it is and the video was important, not to rush things in order to get them right. I’m running my own business and it takes time to get the right people to first work on any new project and being as we are doing this independently without a major label, we have had to get the finances in order to be able to do the project right which now we are in a position to do.
 
Video story line?
 
The director Ben Jones came to me with the idea and I loved it. We wanted to make sure it was it was different from other funky house videos, the song told a story. We've been quite lucky no one has taken too much offence to the video, it was very fun to do though.
 
Crazy Cousinz?
 
Funnily enough it was crazy (Laughs). Actually it was very good, we were bouncing around ideas and trying new things out, we came up with something a bit different to most of the funky house we are hearing at the moment. We have collaborated on a few projects one in particular called <em>Miss Me</em>, which is forthcoming so watch this space!
 
Future plans?
 
I am writing and recording the album. Plus make sure you check out a song called <em>Scars</em> which is on the Basement Jaxx album of the same name, featuring myself, Chipmunk and Kelis. I am also in talks about developing a few pieces with a designer called Sarah Lawrence. I'm just focusing very much on running my company, Meleka Music and the release of <em>GO</em>. We’re doing it, as I said before independently, so me and my team have a lot to focus on.
 
www.myspace.com/melekamusic
 
GO is out October 26th

Words by: Joseph 'JP' Patterson - www.josephjppatterson.blogspot.com

Article by supersupertv