Mel-Man

Mel-Man
Birth name	Melvin Breeden
Also known as	Mel-Man
Origin	Norfolk, Virginia
Genres	Hip hop, Gangsta rap, R&B
Occupations	Producer, Composer, Songwriter
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Big Cat, Aftermath, Drama Family
Associated acts	Dr. Dre, Gucci Mane, Khia, Rasheeda, Freekey Zeekey, Pretty Ricky, Buju Banton

Melvin Breeden, better known as Mel-Man, is a producer from Norfolk, Virginia. He is the President/CEO of Big Cat Records.

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'da and Sam Sneed, 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 Ride", 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.

Production credits

• Various - Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath: "Aftermath (The Intro)", "Shittin' On The World" (both with Dr. Dre)
• The Firm - The Album : "Untouchable" (with Dr. Dre)
• Xzibit - 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz: "Los Angeles Times"
• Xzibit - Restless: "Get Your Walk On" (with Battlecat)
• Xzibit - Black and White OST : "Year 2000"
• Dr. Dre - 2001: Co-production with Dr. Dre on every track except "The Message"
• Busta Rhymes - Genesis: "Bounce (Let Me See Ya Throw It)"
• Eminem - The Slim Shady LP: "Role Model" (with Dr. Dre), "Brain Damage" (Drum programming)
• Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP: "Kill You", "Who Knew", "The Real Slim Shady", "Remember Me?", "I'm Back" & "Bitch Please II" (all with Dr. Dre)
• Eminem - The Eminem Show: "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 Girl 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-thon:
• Gucci Mane - Murder was the Case:
• Gucci Mane - Hard To Kill, Hood Classics"
• KHIA - Nasty Muzic
• Gucci Mane- "Hood Classics"
• Pretty Ricky -"Pretty Ricky"

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

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