MC Melodee – La Melodia
Who are you & what do you do?
My name is Melodee and I’m a lyricist, an MC. I am the vocal part of a crew called La Melodia. Together with my producer I.N.T. we make soulful hip-hopmusic, and we perform all over the globe. Next to performing and MC-ing in the clubscene, I am also a radio host & editor. My radio show is called Future Vintage; we spin any kind of bordercrossing music. From hiphop to funk, from house to afrobeat, from new soul to dubstep and beyond. In 2004 I got my degree in Politics & Organizational Science. I am officially a Master of Arts.
What is a verbalizer according to you?
A verbalizer is someone who manages language and who is very creative in doing so. It is someone who can put thoughts into suitable words and sentences. Someone who knows how to describe vibes and ideas and puts it on paper in the correct formulation. A verbalizer is someone who understands and handles language, and who knows how to use it in order to help people out and to formulate their thoughts and ideas the best possible way, in a professional though understandable manner.
Where can verbalizers add value?
Verbalizers can add value when it comes to into giving concrete shape to ideas. They can help create understanding and clarification and get the right message across. It is the verbalizer’s task to find the right words and sentences, and even to help the inventor or the client to mold the idea to perfection to make sure the client’s goal is achieved.
In what way is language part of your work / creative process?
Since I am a lyricist or poet, language is essential for me. My rhymes and vocal expressions of what I feel and who I am are my main means of income. I therefor spend a lot of time being creative with language, discovering it, re-inventing it, expanding my vocabulary and thinking of new words and phrases myself. I can remember that even as a kid, language intrigued me. Different languages, different pronunciations, and being able to express myself in different kinds of groups and countries has always been a natural thing for me to do. Communication and language is of course important for any human being, but since it interested me so much it gradually turned into my work. It is how I express myself as an artist.
Put The New Verbalizers in the context of our time. Why do you think this ‘movement’ starts now?
Well, when I look at my generation for instance, I can honestly say that most of us are spoiled. Everything is taken care of, we have nothing to fight for. Gay marriage, abortion, differences between social classes and skin colour etc, all these issues have been taken care of legally. We all have the possibility to study and to make it in life. Our parents worked hard to make sure we wouldn’t miss out on anything.
That’s why we have always been satisfied and never felt the absolute need to to speak up or to form groups and criticize things. The government and legal system always enabled us to do the things we wanted in life. But these days it is becoming more and more obvious that the more the government gives, the more it also demands. These days the goverment is becoming more and more patronizing and controlling. To the extend that they even get involved in our personal life, health and even invade our privacy.
Luckily people are finally starting to realize that this is out of proportion. So it’s about time that we speak up and do this in a well thought, 21st century way. This, by using language as a a innovative and incontrovertible tool to get the message across.