Mel-Man
Encyclopedia
Melvin Breeden, better known as Mel-Man, is a producer
from Norfolk, Virginia
. He is the President/CEO of Big Cat Records
.
and Sam Sneed
, met with Dr. Dre. He co-produced and is featured on Dr. Dre's 1999 album, 2001.
", for example). Fellow Aftermath producer Focus has credited Mel-Man as a key architect in the current Aftermath sound (see references for details), who co-produced Dr. Dre
's 2001 album. He co-produced several tracks with Dr. Dre for Eminem
's second album The Marshall Mathers LP
. He performed on the track "Shittin' on the World" from the Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath
compilation album.
Though a co-producer on Dr. Dre's multi-platinum 2001 album, Mel-Man has not shared co-production credits with Dr. Dre since approximately 2002. In 2003, The Source
magazine reported that Mel-Man had left Aftermath, though in 2004, Focus stated that Mel-Man had since re-joined the label.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
from Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. He is the President/CEO of Big Cat Records
Big Cat Records (U.S. record label)
Big Cat Records is an Atlanta-based hip-hop record label distributed by Tommy Boy Entertainment. The label was founded in 1999 by two Melvin "Mel-Man" Breeden and Marlon Rowe. Big Cat Records is best known for the success of Khia, whose records on the label have sold over 2,000,000 units. Other...
.
Early life
Mel-Man grew up in Pittsburgh's tough neighborhood known as the Hill District. He was always into music as a youth and started rapping and producing locally. He released several albums and performed around the Tri-State region. Mel-Man, with help from Bud'daBud'da
Bud'da is an American West Coast hip hop producer for artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Aaliyah...
and Sam Sneed
Sam Sneed
Sam Sneed is a producer and rapper. He originally got his start working as a producer for K-Solo and the Hit Squad.-Death Row Records:...
, met with Dr. Dre. He co-produced and is featured on Dr. Dre's 1999 album, 2001.
Joining Aftermath
Mel-Man was introduced to Dre at the same time Dre was leaving Death Row and starting his own label. In 1996, Mel-Man was officially signed with Aftermath Entertainment. Although he was signed as a producer/artist, he was more known for his production skills. Dr. Dre took on producer Mel-Man as a co-producer, and his music took on a more synthesizer-based sound, using fewer vocal samples (as he had used on "Lil Ghetto Boy" and "Let Me RideLet Me Ride
"Let Me Ride" is the third single released by Dr. Dre from his 1992 album The Chronic. It experienced moderate success on the charts until it became a hit after Dr. Dre won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance during the Grammy Awards of 1994. Snoop Doggy Dogg is involved for a "Rollin' in...
", for example). Fellow Aftermath producer Focus has credited Mel-Man as a key architect in the current Aftermath sound (see references for details), who co-produced Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's 2001 album. He co-produced several tracks with Dr. Dre for Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's second album The Marshall Mathers LP
The Marshall Mathers LP
The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem. Released May 23, 2000, the album sold more than 1.76 million copies in its first week just in the US. In 2001, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year...
. He performed on the track "Shittin' on the World" from the Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath
Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath
Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath is a compilation album by Dr. Dre. It was released in 1996 after leaving Death Row Records, and was the first release on his then newly established Aftermath Entertainment. In spite of Dr...
compilation album.
Though a co-producer on Dr. Dre's multi-platinum 2001 album, Mel-Man has not shared co-production credits with Dr. Dre since approximately 2002. In 2003, The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
magazine reported that Mel-Man had left Aftermath, though in 2004, Focus stated that Mel-Man had since re-joined the label.
Production credits
- Various - Dr. Dre Presents the AftermathDr. Dre Presents the AftermathDr. Dre Presents the Aftermath is a compilation album by Dr. Dre. It was released in 1996 after leaving Death Row Records, and was the first release on his then newly established Aftermath Entertainment. In spite of Dr...
: "Aftermath (The Intro)", "Shittin' On The World" (both with Dr. DreDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
) - The Firm - The AlbumThe Album (The Firm album)The Album, also known as The Firm: The Album, is the debut studio album of American hip hop supergroup The Firm, released October 21, 1997 on the Interscope-subsidiary label Aftermath Entertainment.-Background:...
: "Untouchable" (with Dr. Dre) - Xzibit - 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz40 Dayz & 40 Nightz40 Dayz & 40 Nightz is rapper Xzibit's second album, which was released on August 25, 1998. It is often considered Xzibit's greatest album. The album featured four singles "What U See Is What U Get", "3 Card Molly", "Los Angeles Times" and "Pussy Pop"...
: "Los Angeles Times" - Xzibit - RestlessRestless (Xzibit album)-Track listing:-Album singles:-Album chart positions:-Singles chart positions:...
: "Get Your Walk OnGet Your Walk On"Get Your Walk On" was the third and final single by American rapper Xzibit, from his 2000 album, Restless.The song is produced by Mel-Man and Battlecat....
" (with Battlecat) - Xzibit - Black and White OSTBlack and White (soundtrack)Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture Black and White is the soundtrack to the 2000 film, Black and White. It was released on March 28, 2000, shortly before the film was released to theaters, through Loud Records...
: "Year 2000" - Dr. Dre - 2001: Co-production with Dr. Dre on every track except "The Message"
- Busta RhymesBusta RhymesTrevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
- GenesisGenesis (Busta Rhymes album)- Singles :* "What It Is" * "Break Ya Neck"* "As I Come Back"* "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II"...
: "Bounce (Let Me See Ya Throw It)" - EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
- The Slim Shady LPThe Slim Shady LPThe Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on February 23, 1999. It is his major-label debut, and was released under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and Web Records....
: "Role Model" (with Dr. Dre), "Brain Damage" (Drum programming) - Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LPThe Marshall Mathers LPThe Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem. Released May 23, 2000, the album sold more than 1.76 million copies in its first week just in the US. In 2001, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year...
: "Kill You", "Who Knew", "The Real Slim ShadyThe Real Slim Shady"The Real Slim Shady" is a hip hop song written by Eminem for his third studio album The Marshall Mathers LP . It was released as the lead single a week before the album's release...
", "Remember Me?", "I'm Back" & "Bitch Please II" (all with Dr. Dre) - Eminem - The Eminem ShowThe Eminem ShowThe Eminem Show is the fourth studio album by the American rapper Eminem, released in 2002. It was the best-selling album of 2002 in the United States, with sales of 7.6 million copies. At the Grammy Awards of 2003 it was nominated for Album of the Year and became Eminem's third LP in four years to...
: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" (Drum programming) - MC Breed - No Future in Yo Frontin :feat Tupac (remix)
- Freaknasty - Da'Dip
- Maceo - "Straight out da Pot"
- Freekey Zekey - Dat GirlDat Girl"Dat Girl" is the first official single from Potzee's debut album HongreeHere is the link to view the music video....
feat Lil Wayne & Jim Jones - Kafani - She Ready Now
- Yung Ralph - I Bought Datfeat Nicki Minaj
- Yung Ralph - Back 2 Bizness
- Buju Banton - Toppa Di Top
- Gucci Mane - Traphouse
- Gucci Mane - Trap-a-thonTrap-A-ThonTrap-A-Thon is the third independent album by rapper Gucci Mane. It sold 12,000 copies in the first week of release.-Track listing:- Chart position :...
: - Gucci Mane - Murder was the CaseMurder Was the Case (Gucci Mane album)Murder Was the Case is the fourth independent album by rapper Gucci Mane, released on May 5, 2009. The album is not endorsed by Gucci Mane and considered to be unofficial. Although the album was unofficial, it debuted at #23 on the Billboard 200 making it Gucci Mane's third highest charting album...
: - Gucci Mane - Hard To KillHard to KillHard to Kill, a 1990 action film directed by Bruce Malmuth and starring Steven Seagal, Kelly LeBrock, Frederick Coffin and William Sadler. The film stars Seagal as Detective Mason Storm, who is shot into a coma in the same fire-fight that kills his wife Felicia and son Sonny...
, Hood ClassicsHood ClassicsHood Classics is a compilation album by rapper Gucci Mane released by his old label, Big Cat Records. It sold 2,800 copies in its first week, debuting at number 197 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "Street Niggas"...
" - KHIA - Nasty Muzic
- Gucci Mane- "Hood ClassicsHood ClassicsHood Classics is a compilation album by rapper Gucci Mane released by his old label, Big Cat Records. It sold 2,800 copies in its first week, debuting at number 197 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "Street Niggas"...
" - Pretty Ricky -"Pretty RickyPretty RickyPretty Ricky is an American R&B/hip hop group originally made up of Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith, Spectacular Smith, Corey "Slick 'em" Mathis, and Marcus "Pleasure P" Cooper. In 2007, Pleasure P left the group to pursue a solo career...
"
External links
- http://www.hiphoppress.com/2008/08/big-cat-records.html
- Rare Interview (circa 2001)
- 2003 Source Interview (After leaving Aftermath)
- Interview with fellow Aftermath Producer Focus (As citation that Mel-Man rejoined Aftermath in 2004)
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Article