Melé is a UK DJ and producer from the United Kingdom, born in 1993. He makes electronic club music associated with UK funky, deep house and bass-heavy dance styles, drawing on Brazilian-influenced house, transatlantic hip hop and garage.

Early production and style

He starts producing music at 13, working with drum machines and a copy of Reason in his bedroom. His production style combines crisp snares, strong sub-bass, 808 claps and rolling synths, and he also shows an interest in analogue equipment and computer games as part of his creative process. His tracks often reference hip hop producers such as DJ Premier, Just Blaze and Dr. Dre.

Career development

Melé grows up on the Wirral and later becomes an established underground DJ and producer in the UK. He receives support from artists including Skream and Disclosure, and his work also gains regular radio play from Annie Mac, MistaJam, Zane Lowe, David Rodigan, Nick Grimshaw, Annie Nightingale, Monki and Toddla T. He becomes a resident mix contributor for Diplo & Friends on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, and also records mixes for Radio 1, Boiler Room, Lucky Me and Red Bull Studios London.

Releases and labels

In 2014 he sets up his own label, Quadrants. That same year he works with Digital Soundboy on the giveaway track “Metal Gear”, which marks a turning point in his production career. His releases also appear on Grizzly, Digital Soundboy and Toddla T’s Girls Music imprint. He later joins Redlight on “Ambience”, released on Lobster Boy, and the track becomes one of his best-known club records. He also puts out self-released Melmatic and Melé Vanele series, and he remixes artists including Disclosure, Bastille, Wretch 32, Clean Bandit and KDA.

Notable tracks and collaborations

Among his tracks are “Beamer”, featuring Kano, and “Starlight Express”. He also writes for Kano. “Ambience”, his collaboration with Redlight, gains strong support from DJs including Jamie Jones, Kenny Dope, Jackmaster and Skream, and it appears on Annie Mac’s 2015 compilation series. The track also spends July and August as the UK’s number one most Shazamed track that is not on daytime radio playlisting.

DJ work and live reputation

Melé is known primarily as a DJ, with a style that blends 1990s house and techno with contemporary bass music, his own productions and club anthems. His sets draw comparisons with DJ EZ for technical ability and flair. He performs regularly on the festival circuit, including Sonar, Glastonbury, Bestival, Parklife and Lovebox, and in 2015 he begins a 12-month club residency in Liverpool at Shipping Forecast.

Recognition and support

His music receives support from a wide range of figures across club, radio and dance music culture, including Annie Mac, Mike Skinner and David Rodigan. This support, along with his label work, releases and DJing, establishes him as a regular name in UK underground dance music.