Meet Melodownz, the New Zealand street poet and rapper who has been making waves with his bars and genre-blending tracks on his debut album Lone Wolf. We spoke to the artist about the collaborative journey he took to create the album, and who is on the Melo bucket list for the future:

We’ve had your album on repeat! How has the reception been for Lone Wolf? What’s the best response to it that you’ve heard?

"Thank you! Appreciate that. Probably a DM I got on Instagram saying my album literally saved their life. It’s crazy to think how much the music resonates with some listeners. Truly honoured I can contribute in some way to this crazy ass world."

Tell us about the creation of the album. Who were you working with, where did you create it?

"I started on it in 2019 where I had most of the skeleton of the songs that were created in sessions I had when I was in LA. It was an experimental process and there were no expectations, just a free flow state. I worked with so many dope producers and artists from local to international. Bootsy Collins being a stand out feature on the album for me as that was a bucket list ting. Troy Kingi, Avondale intermediate choir, Brisbane's Lisi, Mikey Dam, Bailey Wiley, Ant Clemons, INK, Maxo Kream, Bleu, Dj Khalil, Bizness Boi, Smokey got Beatz, Tae Beast from TDE and the list goes on. Honoured to have so many top notch creatives contribute their work on this project."

It sounds like you worked with some great people, especially the legend Bootsy Collins. We’ve read you reached out to him on IG - that’s incredible you pulled it off. Tell us about your FaceTime and how the song came to be?

"Yeah that was crazy, I mentioned him in an interview a couple years back and he retweeted and shared it, and I think that’s when I got on his radar back then. It wasn’t until I reached out to  him on Instagram about this idea I had for a song. It was lockdown at the time so it freed up his schedule to vibe and get it done. The rest is history."

What have you learnt about yourself from crafting a debut album and putting it out into the world?

"I've learnt patience and to not be so precious when it comes to the music. To create release and enjoy it. Sometimes as artists we can overthink shit too much."

Your raps are powerful. Who inspires your writing and poetry?

"Life experience, my family and other music I listen to too. Also the higher powers that be."

Speaking of the music you listen to, who is on the Melodownz bucket list to work with? Producers, artists, directors etc…

"Hitboy, Dave Free, Sounwave, Dahi, FNZ, Ab-Soul, Yussef Dayes, Tom Misch, Larry June, Damian Marley, SiR, Brent Faiyaz."

How has growing up in New Zealand influenced your sound?

"Specifically growing up in West Auckland and being in the Polynesian community."

What’s something aside from music that you’re passionate about?

"Cooking, kava, drawing, graffiti, indigenous rights and culture, basketball, ufc, art galleries, gardens and community."

What was the highlight of 2022 for you?

"Having my daughter and dropping my debut album the same week."

What’s next?

"STAY MELO EP 2023."

Listen to Lone Wolf the album HERE.

@melodownz