Ms. Melodie

Ms. Melodie
Ms Melodie and KRS One in 1988
Ms Melodie and KRS One in 1988
Background information
Birth nameRamona Scott[1]
BornMarch 21, 1969[2]
OriginBrooklyn, New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 2012 (aged 43)
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
Years active1988–1992
Labels
Formerly ofBoogie Down Productions

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.[3] 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."[4]

Career

Scott participated in the 1989 "Self Destruction" piece created by the Stop the Violence Movement.[5] AllMusic said that her single, "Hype According to Ms. Melodie", featured an "aggressive style" and was "excellent".[6] Ms. Melodie and the rest of BDP appeared in the Keenen Ivory Wayans film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.[6] 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.[6] 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".[7]

Personal life

Scott was raised in the Flatbush section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.[6] 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).[8] She was married to KRS-One from 1987 to 1992.[3] She had two sons.

Scott died on July 17, 2012, at the age of 43 due to complications from an undisclosed illness.[9]

Discography

References

  1. ^ Kris Parker, Who Came Home from Life on the Streets to Become Gold Record Rapper KRS-One from People, February 27, 1989
  2. ^ Discogs: Ms. Melodie from Discogs
  3. ^ a b Rapper Ms. Melodie has died, Toronto Sun; July 19, 2012
  4. ^ Emil Wilbecken (November 2003). "Some Things About Mary". Vibe (November 2003 ed.). Vibe Media Group. pp. 38–. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  5. ^ Stancell, Steven (1996-06-01). Rap Whoz Who: The World of Rap and Hip Hop. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780028645209. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-Hop. Backbeat Books. pp. 46–. ISBN 9780879307592. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  7. ^ Forman, Murray; Neal, Mark Anthony (2004). That's the Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader. Psychology Press. pp. 347–. ISBN 9780415969192. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  8. ^ Scott, Joel (June 8, 1991). "Brother of Ms. Melodie". DNA.
  9. ^ Bill Hutchinson (July 18, 2012). "Rap pioneer Ramona Parker aka Ms. Melodie, member of Boogie Down Productions and ex-wife of KRS-One, dead at 43". Daily News. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Diva - Ms. Melodie | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-03-06.


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