Ms. Melodie Explained

Ms. Melodie
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Ramona Scott[1]
Birth Date:March 21, 1969[2]
Death Date:July 17, 2012 (aged 43)
Origin:Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genre:Hip hop
Occupation:Rapper
Years Active:1988–1992
Past Member Of:Boogie Down Productions
Associated Acts:Boogie Down Productions
Stop the Violence Movement
H.E.A.L.

Ms. Melodie, the stage name of Ramona Parker (née Scott; March 21, 1969 – July 17, 2012), was an American emcee. She was associated with KRS-One's group Boogie Down Productions (BDP) and was for a time married to KRS-One. She was described by Vibe as "one of the ladies who could sonically spar with the fellas, spit raw lyrics, rhyme from a female's perspective, and hold their own."[3]

Career

Scott participated in the 1989 "Self Destruction" piece created by the Stop the Violence Movement.[4] AllMusic said that her single, "Hype According to Ms. Melodie", featured an "aggressive style" and was "excellent". Ms. Melodie and the rest of BDP appeared in the Keenen Ivory Wayans film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Her only album, Diva, was released the following year by Jive/RCA Records and was largely produced by KRS-One, with contributions from Sam Sever and the Awesome 2's DJ Teddy Tedd. The single "Wake Up, Wake Up" reached the Top 20 of Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart; the music video to its follow-up single "Live on Stage" was a hit on video stations. She appeared in the music video for Queen Latifah's single "Ladies First".[5]

Personal life

Scott was raised in the Flatbush section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. She was the younger sister of former BDP member Harmony (Harmony, born Pamela (Scott) Pettway went on to sing gospel as a lead vocalist for Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - winning six Grammy awards, the most of any gospel choir).[6] She was married to KRS-One from 1987 to 1992. She had two sons.

Scott died on July 17, 2012, at the age of 43 due to complications from an undisclosed illness.

Discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20119663,00.html Kris Parker, Who Came Home from Life on the Streets to Become Gold Record Rapper KRS-One
  2. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ms.+Melodie Discogs: Ms. Melodie
  3. Book: Emil Wilbecken. Vibe. https://books.google.com/books?id=4iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38. 30 December 2012. November 2003. November 2003. Vibe Media Group. 38–. Some Things About Mary.
  4. Book: Stancell, Steven. Rap Whoz Who: The World of Rap and Hip Hop. 30 December 2012. 1996-06-01. Omnibus Press. 9780028645209.
  5. Book: Forman. Murray. Neal. Mark Anthony. That's the Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader. 30 December 2012. 2004. Psychology Press. 9780415969192. 347–.
  6. Scott . Joel . Brother of Ms. Melodie . DNA . June 8, 1991.