Hip Hop, Rap artist Jameel Swinton aka South Philly Mel is a true crowd-catching emcee born and raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.“Philly is and will always be my home, South Philly to be exact. I love it there!”At 29 years of age, South Philly Mel is no stranger to writing, mixing and producing music. Mel’s family was big into music and he was inspired by the musical education he was exposed to via them. “Growing up in the Wilson Park projects, it was an everyday thing for my family to sit around and listen to music…”This musical exposure consisted of everything from Sam Cook to The Whispers, and Earth Wind & Fire. Other groups like New Edition were also popular in his house, especially with his mother. Through his uncles, he was turned on to New Age music, i.e., Sting, U2, Peter Gabriel, and Tracy Chapman. In terms of Hip Hop, once he heard a Rakim song, the rest was history.“I always made-up little raps since I was a child,” Mel says. However, it was 1992 that he started recording music in a friend’s basement on a tape recorder. He formed a group with several friends and they began to create hardcore East Coast Rap that was popular at the time. They mimicked the groups that were out in those years, groups like Wu Tang.Those street years were rough times for Mel, but musically they were productive. During this time Mel was offered a deal on a label, but due to lack of familial consent, he had to turn it down.After time passed, he was refueled to create as Nas, Biggie Smalls, and Jay-z started putting out tracks that hit his soul. In 1998 he started recording professionally in studios. He became a popular name in school and in his area. His crew started a company called Off The Hook Entertainment and he went by M3 (Marvelous Melly Montana). After success in a few weeks, he saw his potential, and was ready and willing to take his music seriously. “I was touching the people with my music and that’s the best feeling.”South Philly Mel’s style has a story telling like quality that is very conversational, based on the inspiration he received from rappers like Nas and Biggie. Mel’s tales come from real life. He tells tales of the streets, the stress, and the struggle of life in the hood.“The truth is something that can’t be denied, so I make it my duty to share what I’m going through in my music. It’s my therapy and I know there are millions of people around the world that can relate, because they’re dealing with the same issues in their lives.”Mel’s first solo album, True Music, was started in 2005 and finished in 2006. Mel put his life into this album, though the promoting of it was held up due to his situation with the law. He is currently working to push this album out into the public’s view. Mel’s friend and beat maker, Don Wil, have an intense chemistry and worked together to produce this album. Don Wil helped Mel to create “that real east coast hip hop flavor” that is prevalent in this group of tracks.For future works, look for DJ illkutz to make appearances in Mel’s mixes, among others.His future goals are many but it starts with conquering his music, making a name and gaining respect in the hip hop world. More than that Mel wants to touch lives with his music. “Music is a Universal Language that’s celebrated and comprehended all around the world and I just want the people to identify with my life, my struggle, and say o.k. this is the truth.” Eventually he wants to start a foundation for humanitarian aid.Mel is not angsting to get signed with a major label. “I’m doing this thing for the love of hip hop. Hip hop is my life. I will make music whether I get big or not. As long as you have a good talent and the right people in your corner that believe in you and go hard for you, you can go real far, maybe even further than what a label will do for you.” In his mind, it is all about the vision and that is the most important thing for him, in or out of a label.Currently he is working to expand his network of DJs and radio stations and is looking to get endorsement deals on clothing, sneakers, basically anything that involves hip hop. He is simultaneously working on a couple projects, a mixtape, No More Locked Doors, and the Home Sweet Homealbum.Music for Mel is the best way to escape and to express oneself.“… Just living life and telling the truth about me. Being content with who I am and where I’m trying to go with my life is what makes my music. ‘The truth shall set you free!’ And with music the truth will get you far!
Contact: Sitka Creations • info@sitkacreations.com • For Contact: 718.777.0985Jameel Swinton aka South Philly Mel, Hip Hop, Rap ArtistTwitter @southphilly_mel • Find him online at: www.myspace.com/southphillymel • southphillymel@gmail.com
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