With over a decade of experience and creating under his belt, Dominican Republic producer Melks has already etched his name in hip-hop history. Choosing to go his own route, Melks’ ability to create a myriad of sounds and blend in with any of his collaborators remains a rare skill in this day and age. The now Massachusetts stalwart looks for listeners “to feel something, anger, sadness, joy. Some sort of emotion that’ll stick with them,” Melks explains. After a blistering 2023, where Melks had the Midas touch with singles, collaboration projects and more, it doesn’t seem like he has any intent on stopping. As more time passes the prolific producer has a bevy of production credits, tag team albums and solo work on the way. For now though, let’s take a second and see how East Coast artist came to be. 

Born in the Dominican Republic, Melks spent the first 13 years of his life there where he was exposed to all different kinds of sounds and art. Merengue, salsa, bolero were just a few of the genres of music introduced to him at an early age. Melks’ didn’t begin creating until he moved stateside to Massachusetts and began producing for some of his friends. Listening to any of the records Melks has his hands in shows that crafting soundscapes regardless of the circumstances comes naturally to him. “I really create based on how I’m feeling at the time,” Melks says, which explains his variance in sounds and his ability to meld with any of his collaborators effortlessly. Even when one takes a listen to his debut project ‘/GUS.Tus/’ Melks fuses electronic, trap, guitar, boom bap all into seven tracks. Melks is a musician in every sense of the word with the guarantee to provide something unique and adventurous with each new track the listener presses play on. 

Now in current day, Melks has hit the gas, increasing his output and continuing to push the diverse sound that he came in with. In some ways Melks is like a chameleon able to fit in and shift his sound to whatever is needed at the time while not compromising his own instincts. One glance at Melks’ discography shows the breadth and diversity of his work, collaborating with the likes of Reks, Termanology, Rob Markman, Queen Laura and countless others. One second you’ll be taking in dusty drums with a hauntingly beautiful soundscape, next second you’re listening to a 3-set of winter holiday inspired tracks and after that you’re jamming to a track fit for the weekend night circuit. Melks’ pulls the listener into his world and forces them to feel something one way or another. Don’t get it twisted though, Melks’ resume is extensive and continues to grow even now. What separates Melks from everyone else is his willingness to collaborate with others in the most genuine sense of the word. It’s not about landing big names, “there’s so much to learn from collaboration that I feel people don’t understand,” Melks explains. Whether it’s the introspective yet passion filled ‘Overwhelmed & Ambitious’ LP Melks did with Bleave or the complete pivot in sounds Melks did with Skthagr8 in their project ‘Space Lizard’, Melks can enter any room and create something that will stand the test of time and break your back in the process. As we head deeper into 2024, Melks has a number of projects in the tuck including a full-length with Reks along with 2-3 other projects that are wrapping up right now. Take a second to get acquainted with the Massachusetts producer before the ball really starts rolling.