Guess who’s back, back again? Pebbles’ back- to tell you all about some DJ friends!! That’s right pebblitos, here we are for another rousing DJ interview. This time around it’s Electric Punanny front man and super sweet Melo X. This man has it all, the skills, the taste, the musical talent and he’s cute as hell. Clearly you are involved already, and if you aren’t here you go! This is sure to brighten your rainy day! Without further ado, Mr. Melo X!!
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When you don’t want to “go in to work” what makes you go out there and do it? Do you feel like DJing is a joy or a bit of a task? Basically, is DJing your lover or your spouse?
DJing is my lover. We make magic in the club. We get the party popping and the punannies jumping.
How old were you when you first DJ’d a party officially or unofficially?
I was 17 and it was a sweaty Brooklyn basement party. My cousin was having a party cause he was leaving for college. He heard I was a DJ and hit me and my friend up about rocking it out. I’ll never forget it because we were very nervous but as soon as we got in the groove we were unstoppable.
(hopefully, it was a little less sweaty than this… hopefully)
What’s your first music memory?
Playing on my rainbow colored piano that my mom bought me. I was a child so I wasn’t playing anything important just learning about sounds and the concept of “do re mi fa sol la ti do.”
How did you get/come up with your name?
My first name was Chico. My best friends at the time were Spanish and that’s what they called me. As I began rapping I realized a Jamaican named Chico might be too corny. So since I had my name in all my rhymes I had to come up with a name that sounded the same. My friend and I sat down and went through names out until i said X-MeLo, because I was an extreme guy but also mellow. Then my friend said how about “MeLo-X.” That’s how that came about.
Who has influenced your style?
My style is influenced by my peers. The people who I’m around everyday. My friends and family.
Any moments out listening to another DJ when you knew you had to be the best you could be?
I feel like that every time at Electric Punanny. When a DJ is on before me and I hear the crowd wilding out I know i have to smash shit.
(photo by Brooke Nipar)
What is the decision making process like from crowd to your head to the
tables?
It’s all about the crowd. I see how they are vibing. I see what songs get them hype. Then I start to control them. I’ll play a certain song that’s in a certain key and is talking about a certain theme and I’ll look for another song just as good in the same key. Or I’ll tell a story. Sometimes I do battles like a love song then a hate song then a love song. I’m all over the place with my thoughts when I DJ.
Any predictions for what or who will blow up next?
Me, of course! This new group called Sonny Moon. They’re dope. Jasmine Solano and Nikki NTU. As far as DJs, I’ll say Will Gates and Mista Ian Jay.
Sonny Moon
Jasmine Solano
If you had to bring 5 things with you to a desert island and only one could be a record, what would you bring?
J Dilla donuts, laptop, Rubix Cube, SP-505 sampler & a camera.
What’s the biggest mishap you’ve ever had out at a gig and what did you do to fix it?
The whole set up at this one club was fucked. The only thing that was working was one CD player and an iPod jack. I had my CDs so I DJ’d with a busted CD player and iPod.
If you could tour with one artist alive or dead who would you tour with?
Cold Play. Their music moves me so much. And if I could really get to perform my music how I want, I know their fan base would appreciate it. Their music has a similar vibe to mine. It’s like smooth cord progressions but still edgy at times. I have remixed a lot of their stuff in the past but never put them out.
If you could play any club in history what club would you play?
