Melodownz

Bronson Price
Born	Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper poet singer
Years active	2013–present
Labels	Liiightside

Bronson Price,[1] known professionally as Melodownz, is a New Zealand rapper, poet and singer from Avondale, Auckland. Debuting in 2013, Melodownz has released solo projects including Beginners Luck (2014), Avontales (2017) and Melo & Blues (2018), as well as collaborative extended plays with Angelo King, IllBaz and Raiza Biza.

Biography

Melodownz was raised in Avondale by his Samoan Catholic grandmother, English grandfather and his mother.[2][3] He has Samoan, Pākehā and Ngāpuhi heritage.[4] Melodownz debuted as a musician in 2013,[5] composing reggae/hip-hop songs inspired by his upbringing.[4] He released his debut album Beginners Luck in 2014,[6] and followed this with an extended play as half of the Young Gifted and Broke hip-hop duo Third3ye alongside Angelo King, 3P (2016).[6]

In 2017, Melodownz released the hip hop EP Avontales,[7] and in 2018 released two projects: a collaboration EP High Beams with IllBaz and Raiza Biza, featuring musicians including Teeks and Che Fu,[8] and the double-EP Melo & Blues.[9] Melodownz won the award for Most Promising Artist at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards.[4]

In 2020, Melodownz began Kava Corner, a YouTube interview series where Melodownz interviews New Zealand media personalities and celebrities such as broadcaster John Campbell, boxer Joseph Parker and musician Benee while sharing kava.[10][11] He was nominated for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards.[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		NZ [13]
Beginners Luck	Released: 22 November 2014[14] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download	—
Lone Wolf	Released: 13 October 2022 Label: Universal Format: Digital download, streaming	21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Extended plays

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		NZ Artist [15]
3P (among Third3ye)	Released: 27 July 2016[16] Label: Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa Format: Digital download, streaming	10
Avontales	Released: 7 July 2017[17] Label: Liiightside Format: Digital download, streaming	—
High Beams (IllBaz + Melodownz + Raiza Biza)	Released: 20 July 2018[18] Label: Sony Music New Zealand Format: Digital download, streaming	13
Melo & Blues	Released: 23 November 2018[19] Label: Liiightside Format: Digital download, streaming	17
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
		NZ Hot [20]	NZ Hot Artist [21]
"8Ight 2Wenty 8Ight"[22]	2016	—	—	Avontales
"The Anthem (Intro)"[1] (featuring Bailey Wiley)	2017	—	—
"One More"[6] (featuring Israel Starr)		—	—
"$on of a Queen"[4]		—	—
"Live Stream"[8] (IllBaz + Melodownz + Raiza Biza featuring Teeks)	2018	—	16	High Beams
"Outchea"[23] (IllBaz + Melodownz + Raiza Biza featuring Dirty)		—	20
"Red Wine"[24] (IllBaz + Melodownz + Raiza Biza featuring High Høøps)		—	11
"Peace $igns, Gang $igns"[25]		—	15	Melo & Blues
"$moke"[26] (featuring Villette)		—	8
"No Mercy"[27] (featuring Denzel Curry)	2019	19	6	Non-album singles
"Fine"[28]	2020	16	1
"Big Deals"[29] (featuring Diggy Dupé)		35	8
"Money"[5]	2021	11	1	Lone Wolf
"Pray for More"[30] (featuring Lisi & Mikey Dam)	2022	21	1
"Slow Jamz"[31]		—	11
"Loot"[32] (featuring Maxo Kream)		—	9
"Bad"[32]		—	14
"Lingo" (featuring Bleu and Ant Clemons)		30	8
"MeloDub (828)"	2024	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

As featured artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
		NZ Hot [20]	NZ Hot Artist [21]
"Indigenius"[33] (Jono Das and Angelo King featuring Melowdownz)	2014	—	—	The Lion & the Lotus
"Bad Luck & Handcuffs"[33] (Jono Das featuring Melodownz & Badcrop)	2015	—	—	Non-album single
"Pull Up"[34] (K+Lab featuring Melodownz & Mustafa Akbar)	2016	—	—	The Worldly's
"Lips"[35] (Noah Slee featuring Melodownz)		—	—	Otherland
"Under the Sun"[36] (Latinaotearoa featuring Melodownz)	2018	—	17	Influencis Et Collabis
"Good Juju"[37] (K+Lab featuring Melodownz)		—	—	The Booty Galactic
"Let's Kick It"[38] (Poetik featuring Melodownz)		—	15	Hamofied
"Take Me to Your Leader"[39] (Yoko-Zuna featuring Melodownz)		—	—	Voyager
"Out Here Alive"[40] (Kings featuring Melodownz)		37	5	Two
"Sugar"[41] (Bailey Wiley featuring Melodownz)		—	6	Bailey Wiley EP
"Spend It"[42] (TY featuring Melodownz)		38	4	Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Promotional singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
		NZ Hot [20]	NZ Hot Artist [21]
"Let Me Loose"[43] (Rizván and Melodownz)	2013	—	—	Non-album singles
"Cool Like Dat"[44] (Rizván, Melodownz and Diggy Dupé)	2016	—	—
"Hot $auce"[45]	2017	—	14
"Infinite"[9] (featuring Coops)	2018	—	12	Melo & Blues
"To Live and Die in AD"[46] (Choicevaughan featuring Melodownz)	2019	30	4	Deuce
"Pai / Fine"[47]	2021	—	—	Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Guest appearances

Title	Year	Other artists	Album
"Run"	2014	Rizván, Tom Scott, Yané	Tō E La'ā (Sunset)
"Light Side"		Jay Knight, Raiza Biza	1/8/94
"Stick Up Kid II"		Jay Knight, Bailey Wiley
"Stick Up Kid III"		Jay Knight, Bailey Wiley	—
"Splended Tears"	2015	Yoko-Zuna	This Place Here
"Idfwu"	2017	Yayne	Simple Pleasure
"Attenchun"		Rizván, Freddie Bish	Neverland
"One More"	2018	Israel Starr, NRG Siring	Israel Starr presents The Producers Chair, Vol. 2 (Neo90sfunkadelicsouldub)
"Ride Out"		JessB	Bloom
"Off the Top"		SWIDT, Diggy Dupé, JessB, Rizván	Stoneyhunga: The Bootleg EP
"How Much Fruit?"	2019	Troy Kingi	Holy Colony Burning Acres
"Heart on Fire"		Louis Baker	Open
"Trust (Remix)"		Diggy Dupé, Rizván, Poetik, Redd x Rozay, Church & AP	—
"Vailima Bottle."	2021	Poetik, Lucky Lance	Poetik Justice.
"Ain't the Same"		Diggy Dupé, Choicevaughan, P. Smith, Summer Vaha'akolo	The Panthers
"Kong"		Diggy Dupé, Choicevaughan, P. Smith

References

1. Bulletproof, Jay (3 May 2017). "The Profile, Ep 1: MeloDownz - The Anthem (Intro)". George FM. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
2. Wicks, Sam (13 July 2017). "MeloDownz Is About To Become Every NZ Rapper's Favourite Rapper". Vice. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
3. McInnes, Laura (3 April 2020). "MELODOWNZ Guide to Liiightside (INTERVIEW)". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
4. "Melodownz [Ngāpuhi, Samoa, Pākehā]". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
5. Herbert, Conor (15 March 2021). "Why We Like It: Melodownz's "Money"". CentralSauce. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
6. Kelly, Roisin (3 May 2017). "Is this the NZ hip-hop album of the year right here?". George FM. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
7. Kunin, Abraham (2017). "Melodownz: Avontales". NZ Musician. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
8. "IllBaz + MELODOWNZ + Raiza Biza Drop Single 'Live Stream' Ft. TEEKS". Under the Radar. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
9. McInnes, Laura (14 December 2018). "Avondale meets North London in Melodownz 'Infinite' music video featuring Coops". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
10. Brooks, Sam (23 April 2021). "Bottoms up! The best moments from Melodownz's Kava Corner". The Spinoff. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
11. Southon, Delilah Pārore (5 October 2021). "CARETAKER — The quiet power of rapper, poet and YouTube talkshow host MELODOWNZ". Metro. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
12. "BENEE and the Beths win big at the Aotearoa Music Awards". Radio New Zealand. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
13. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
14. "Beginners Luck LP". Bandcamp. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
15. Peak positions for Melodownz's albums on the NZ artists top 20 albums chart:
    • For 3P: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For High Beams: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For Melo & Blues: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
16. "3P". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
17. "Avontales". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
18. "High Beams". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
19. "Melo & Blues". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
20. Peak positions for Melodownz's singles on the NZ hot singles chart:
    • For "Out Here Alive": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Spend It": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "No Mercy": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "To Live and Die in AD": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Fine": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Big Deals": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Money": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022.* * For "Pray for More": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
    • For "Lingo": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
21. Peak positions for Melodownz's singles on the NZ artist hot singles chart:
    • For "Live Stream": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Outchea": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Red Wine": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Under the Sun": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Let's Kick It": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Hot $auce": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Peace $igns, Gang $igns": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Out Here Alive": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Sugar": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "$moke", "Infinite": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Spend It": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "No Mercy": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "To Live and Die in AD": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Fine": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Big Deals": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Money": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    • For "Pray for More": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
    • For "Slow Jamz": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
    • For "Loot": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
    • For "Bad": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
    • For "Lingo": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
22. McInnes, Laura (31 March 2018). "Melodownz marks spider-town territory on 8ight 2wenty 8ight". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
23. "IllBaz, Melodownz & Raiza Biza release second single from High Beams - 'Outchea' ft. Dirty". muzic.net.nz. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
24. "IllBaz, Melodownz and Raiza Biza share video for 'Red Wine' ft. High Hoops". muzic.net.nz. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
25. McInnes, Laura (18 October 2018). "Peace Sign$, Gang Sign$: The Gemini duality complex of MELODOWNZ". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
26. "Melodownz shares second single from 'Melo & Blues' - '$moke' ft. Villette". muzic.net.nz. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
27. C.C. (6 December 2019). "Melodownz Drops Single 'No Mercy' Feat. Denzel Curry". Under the Radar. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
28. "Melodownz - Fine". Flava. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
29. McInnes, Laura (10 December 2020). "MELODOWNZ shares hood anthem 'Big Deals' featuring Diggy Dupés". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
30. Johnson, Jacob (9 April 2022). "Kiwi MC Melodownz releasing gospel rap". 1News. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
31. McInnes, Laura (26 May 2022). "MELODOWNZ teases debut album with moody new single, 'Slow Jamz'". Sniffers. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
32. McInnes, Laura (25 August 2022). "MELODOWNZ teases debut album with the release of latest single, 'BAD'". Sniffers. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
33. "Jono Das Releases 'Bad Luck & Handcuffs' Featuring Melowdownz & Bad Crop". New Zealand Music Commission. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
34. "K+LAB 'Pull Up' ft. MELODOWNZ & MUSTAFA AKBAR". Base FM. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
35. Odutola, Tayo (28 June 2017). "Noah Slee & Melodownz seal the deal with "Lips"". Earmilk. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
36. "Latinaotearoa share new single 'Under The Sun' feat. Melodownz". Libel Music. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
37. "Good Juju feat. Melodownz". Stereofox. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
38. "LET's KICK IT - Poetik ft Melodownz". thecoconet.tv. 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
39. "Yoko-Zuna + MeloDownz Share Sizzling Single 'Take Me To Your Leader'". Under the Radar. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
40. Moses, Hussein (15 May 2018). "Kings Won't Stop Until He's the Best Artist Alive". Vice. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
41. "BAILEY WILEY 'Sugar' (feat. MELODOWNZ)". Base FM. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
42. "TY - Spend It (feat. MELODOWNZ)". Empire Records. 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
43. "Let Me Loose - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
44. "Cool Like Dat - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
45. "HOT $AUCE - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
46. Adams, Josie (29 November 2019). "Tom Scott just leaked his own album on WeTransfer". The Spinoff. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
47. Woolston, Dan (23 April 2021). "Waiata Anthems return for 2021, Melodownz shares te reo rendition of 'Pai/Fine'". Sniffers. Retrieved 19 March 2022.