>>The money ain't come quick.

Name ain't Richie and I sure ain't rich.

Store treasure up in heaven for the day of my succession.

>>From the second floor of the Orlando Public Library, welcome to Melrose In The Mix, our series of live recording sessions from here at the Melrose Center.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Jim Myers.

Today's session features ShaMel.

Originally from Inwood, New York, ShaMel was immersed in music from a very early age.

His father was a member of late eighties rap group Kings of Pressure.

And after initially focusing on visual arts, ShaMel began writing songs with a friend in college and never looked back.

He released his first mixtape in 2009 and looks to complete his most recent project called Stuck in Transition in the coming year.

Before the session, we had a chance to talk to ShaMel about some of his childhood musical memories, his influences, his songwriting style, and more.

>>Melrose we are now live in the Mix rockin' with the kid ShaMel, Mike hit it.

Yeah, yeah.

Would you believe me if you didnt know me?

Are your Facebook likes from all of your friends?

If I missed the call would you call me again?

Bologna.

You people so phoney.

Look, last year was lonely.

Adam before Eve.

Remember I was conflicted demons were steady haunting me.

Tripping over lust like Im taking the same vaca over and over again.

Insanity.

Mayday Mayday.

It wasnt all me, she cast the genjutsu.

Witchcraft is control, not the Harry Potter you used to.

All these tendencies memories all selective.

Sexual innuendos rendered my flesh helpless.

But it wasn't all you.

It was me too.

Just a lot less me, much more you.

But its 2018 God brought me through it.

No more pointing fingers like the devil made do it.

The devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

If I tell it does it mean Im biased?

What if the grass aint greener do you use science?

I think Im embarrassed that you got me not me not you.

I trusted them two.

Word.

Warning before destruction.

Please jot dreams.

There are things I could have avoided had I wrote what I seen.

Did not mean.

Son you bugging.

Chill God not me.

Thats what they say when you interrogate.

Why you tell her what I told you when it was us two?

Getting all buddy buddy I don't understand what you up to.

Catching feelings, overstepping your boundaries.

All she doing is using you, when she's not around me.

But it wasn't all you it was me too.

Just a lot less me, much more you.

But it's 2018 God brought me through it.

No more pointing fingers like the devil made me do it.

Hey, the devil made me do it.

Oh, the devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

He made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

The devil made me do it.

Devil made me do it.

>>Yo, listen.

The Melrose Center is fire.

If you have not been here, you are bugging.

The Melrose Center is ill.

I'm actually very excited to be here to perform today.

Keep it rolling.

Thank you.

Thank you.

This next joint right here.

It's called Celebrate.

We've all been through something.

We take L's.

We get W's.

We all got something to celebrate.

That's what this song is about.

Celebrate.

Yeah.

Hot damn.

This is what we've been waiting for.

We done been through hell.

this is everything we praying for.

Many long nights getting right since the day before.

Paid for my mistakes now everything paid for.

I love who I am, it wasnt always like that.

But now here I am, I told you Id be right back.

He claims she a virgin but he aint know I piped that that was old news.

Spread the word where my wife at?

Looking my best.

Dressed to impress.

I dont do the suit and tie but for you I guess.

Stuck in transition bad condition but Im blessed, and now every time they see me all they see is progress.

One degree In now she got two.

Standing on the necks of who said what she couldnt do.

You was in them books and you gave The Lord time too.

You deserve to have it all hands up if its you.

Celebrate.

If you got it out the mud.

Celebrate.

If you do what you love.

Celebrate.

You know The Lord been good.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Kept your dogs by your side?

Celebrate.

Is your girl down to ride?

Celebrate.

Look mama we survived.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

I'm nice with a buzz.

I might cut a rug.

Dancing with the stars all eyes on us.

And naa I aint nervous this moment I deserve it.

Had a few light years now your man buzzing up They say never question God.

I used to tell him hurry up.

Im only getting older you see Im trying to level up.

He asked, “Whats the rush ”?

I told him they ahead of us.

He said my time is coming it was written before Genesis.

Hot damn this what we been waiting for.

We done been through hell this is everything We praying for.

Many long nights getting right since the day before.

Paid for my mistakes now everything paid for.

Business owner.

Kings Kid Music.

Grinding since my brother had the Nine O Buick.

Tell me what is life without a dream to pursue, thats why I pray so hard and spill my blood through this music.

Celebrate.

If you got it out the mud.

Celebrate.

If you do what you love.

Celebrate.

You know The Lord been good.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Kept your dogs by your side?

Celebrate.

Is your girl down to ride?

Celebrate.

Look mama we survived.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Celebrate.

Hey, celebrate.

Let me see it.

Hands up.

Celebrate.

Let me see your hands up.

Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate.

You kept your dogs by your side.

Celebrate.

Look, Mama, we arrived.

Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, Celebrate and celebrate.

Keep rocking man.

I appreciate y'all Melrose.

We are in the mix.

This next song right here is called Better Me.

Yeah.

Yeah I like them lights.

Yeah.

Look, look, look, look.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope dont know how to cope, I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord Heal me.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope, dont know how to cope I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall.

On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord heal me.

How could you face me?

Say you love me then play me.

For a fool you must take me.

Now you dead to me basically.

I hate I wasted my time I used to play it back in my mind, then I prayed about it let it go.

Backwards I will never go.

Now its on to the next.

Pockets low Im stressed.

Thoughts steady flowing no rest.

Saucy taking shots no vest.

I got dreams tryna live through.

But I'm scared of success.

The older I get the more I worry Im not passing none of these tests.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope, dont know how to cope I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall.

On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord heal me.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope, dont know how to cope I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall.

On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord heal me.

How you put her over me?

I fought with you to notice me.

Why you let her try to control me?

Calling shots she aint even know me.

But Its cool Im straight.

Its all love no hate.

Cant say I aint make no mistakes.

No one could ever take your place, no.

Gavel bang closed case.

Big dog Gods grace.

Make sure fam straight, then keep running my race.

I got dreams tryna live thru.

Im really scared of success The older I get, the more worried I ain't passing none of these tests.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope, dont know how to cope I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall.

On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord heal me.

Running from pain, running from love, losing sight of the real me.

Low on hope, dont know how to cope I can feel the devil near me.

Back to the wall.

On God I call, I just hope that he hear me.

Have mercy Im filthy.

Touch me Lord heal me.

Help me Lord, I know I need.

We need it.

Yeah.

It's called Better Me.

Give It Up.

Let's keep it rolling.

This song right here's called Give It Up.

Let's get it.

Hey.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Put some respect on it.

I do.

Never sleep on my opponent.

I give it up because I want it.

I will.

Treat karma like a black woman.

Queen.

Cash rules everything around me.

Cream.

Welcome to Silicon Valley.

Yeah, yeah.

Where dont no love surround me.

Not here.

I feel we watching the finale.

God we need you badly.

Thats how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah yeah.

It seems I have the Midas touch.

I say we cant pray enough.

I need all the favor all the luck.

I do.

Way of the dreamer, know the paths rough.

It Is.

I look to the sky and ask when?

Whats up.

Bills rising up Im trying to swim.

Tired.

Seen so many Ls I need to win.

Lets get it.

It's a marathon I'm on my second win.

Running.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

That's just how I give it up.

Thats just how I give it up.

Give It.

Give It.

Give it up.

Yeah, yeah.

That's just how I give it up.

Give it up, man.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm from Inwood New York originally, and that's pretty much in Long Island.

That's where my pops is from.

From there.

When he was a lot younger than me, he was he was put into a group called the Kings of Pressure.

Kings of Pressure was originally assembled by Chuck D from Public Enemy.

The original deejay, I'm not sure what all happened, but he left the group or however that worked out.

My pops tried out.

They put him in the group, and so growing up, I was always like in the basement, seeing him working on music, deejaying, seeing lots of artists coming through.

I mean, I'm talking about since I was like yea high, like a shorty, you know?

So I've always been around music my entire life.

Entire life, like freestyling.

I can remember when I'm, I don't know, like five.

This next joint right here.

One of my favorites it's called Space Jam.

You can see it in my eyes I ain't scared of guys.

My reflections only one that had me paralyzed.

Not living out my dreams had me terrified, so I took a leap of faith and I survived.

Clutching the world by my talons.

Dancing with the stars I got talent.

Pride comes before the fall but Im balanced.

School of hard knocks and i aint ever been absent.

When i was younger my cousin told me to give it up.

Could have built me up instead you chose to put your fear on us.

Glad I aint wait around for you to cheer me up.

Wash my hands clean antibacterial.

Dont do it for the glory.

Women that adore me or unfinished stories written out before me.

I do it for myself cause everything else bores me.

I dont ever stress if its mine then its for me.

Got it out the mud I aint have-- Ground up talking brick-by-brick.

Used to ride in the bucket in the winter I was-- Now its Eeny, meeny, miny which car should I-- The money aint come quick.

Name aint Richie and I sure aint rich.

Store treasure up in heaven for the day of my succession.

How he kill the booth and give it life resurrection.

Slidin on the beat like home plate.

Hear them throwing up shots hold no weight.

Where I'm from they dying over genes my cousin kept the steel in his hands like Wolverine.

Punch lines no Vaseline.

Punch lines like DMV.

Punch lines two left feet.

Im just saying you cant dance with me.

Let that ride.

Yeah yeah.

Melrose in the Mix, baby, make some noise.

Puffing like a locomotive.

Brew sipping had my tummy hung over.

Now Im older them days are over.

Eyes straight ahead never over my shoulder.

Money on my mind I ain't got the time, its funny.

People change with no dollars to their name.

I got to do better I got eyes on me.

How you supposed to lead the way when you too hungry?

Climb out of debt go get you a check.

Found God, fell in love, fall in something wet.

I got family looking for me to do something.

See your peers and feel the need to prove something.

Pressures building up Im about to bust.

Back reaching for the cup thought you had enough.

Even tough guys dont go untouched.

Lil devil on my shoulder cutting up he got you.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Thank God for my angel.

Kept an eye on the kid like daycare.

Making sure I stayed well.

You know the devil dont play fair yeah.

Nobel prize for my mama, your prayers have been honored Ive been freed from the drama.

Youre my Christian Dalai Lama spreading love peace and hair grease.

Hope your karma comes with lots of joy and a money tree.

See I was Puffing like a locomotive.

Brew sipping had my tummy hung over.

Coping with the pain but it still rained.

Now Im older them days are over.

Standing on my own two heres your closure.

Broke college kids.

Know it alls no scholarship flunking out of school, always had an attitude.

Dug the hole I feel through and then I went running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running and running and running and running again.

Running and running and running and running from friends.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Running.

Yeah.

Let that ride out.

What you running from?

Everything.

For what?

That feel good.

Yeah.

Now this joint right here is special to me.

It's called Stuck in Transition.

I've been stuck for a minute trying to get to where I'm going.

Listen, Mila, we arrived.

It's good to be here.

ShaMel.

Look, Faith over fears.

Saith amongst peers.

Many dream chasing.

They all disappear.

Thats how it goes.

Many called few chose.

When i heard the call i picked up & said hello but dont judge them man listen I was Stuck in Transition.

Tryna get it in gear with a bad transmission.

Exhibition.

Man in the mirror my opposition.

Clock is ticking time to give them what the games been missing.

New flow, gospel, see it with your eyes closed.

Walking by faith was the key to survival.

Ghost in a shell.

Anxiety was hell.

Lying to them all I told them I was doing well.

Old cup spilled over reaching for the holy grail.

It pours when it rains Im finessing through the hail.

Hope the other side is Kale.

Green maybe spinach in them smoothies they be blending.

Feel its time to transition.

Lets go.

Fying down the road.

Life took its toll.

I ran out of change at this moment I was low.

Evil thoughts I said.

Wishing I was dead.

Then the car lost control now Im in over my head.

But the story wasnt finished.

It was just beginning.

I picked up the pen and started pinning.

Till my halo started brimming.

When you keep it G thats how you keep The Lord grinning.

Walking in my truth I got that new shoe feeling but winning dont last forever.

Reap what you sowed.

Measure.

Time spent chasing pleasure.

Will it ever return?

Never.

Stuck on this nappy head who was sharing that tail feather.

Drop down get her eagle on whenever we not together.

Got people that need help though really not sure whether they doing they all in preparation for bad weather.

But who am I to judge?

Struggling musician, skipping auditions altogether.

Stuck in Transition.

Sound good but it's pain.

Stuck in Transition baby.

Yeah.

Melrose we're rocking.

Hey.

Hey.

It feels good.

Leave the spotlight.

Yeah.

Stuck in transition baby.

It's the title track.

Album coming soon.

I never actually intended to do music.

That's the funny thing about it.

I know here in there, like I've seen.

So my mother, she actually has like, some, like, art and different things I did in like elementary school.

And apparently I was talking about being a deejay like my dad, you know, which it makes sense.

He inspired me, but really, I wanted to do animation and I animate my own cartoon.

So I was always doing that, then I want to say some time in high school I just got bit by the bug, man.

I just I started doing music.

He recorded me a couple of times.

I was doing music around the city on Goldenrod with all different types of people.

And then when I went in 2009, I graduated high school.

You know, I went to FAMU and a friend of mine went to FSU.

I graduated high school with, he had been doing music a lot longer than me, playing an instrument, so on and so forth.

Long story short man we got together, was doing music every day, not going to class, just doing music, made our first mixtape.

We had like our first little live show, kind of like a little open mic type of thing.

And then from there, just got serious.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Thank you.

I got one more joint for y'all man.

This song right here, it's called Way of the Dreamer.

Anyone who had a dream, a goal, for me I put God first, then I changed.

And here we are.

Look, I wanted to be the best.

I say it with all my chest.

So I studied the late greats without rest.

Tape on my wall held lyrics I hold dear.

Mainly from Nasir might know him as Sincere.

Word.

Imitated the flow, cooked on all of your beats.

Too hot to recite I learned to withstand heat.

Got a fire in my belly I know it is the word of God.

Told him I'll rap the truth and I'll do it with all my heart.

This is the way of the dreamer.

Got to be overachievers.

I pray hard cause' I need ya to make stars align, they tell me Im out my mind.

Cause they aint have the faith to chase dreams bottom line.

You can be whatever you choose.

Follow your heart and believe with it too.

And never let them cornballs try to spike yo juice.

That goes for friends, your family too.

If youre a dreamer let me see you live it.

Okay.

If youre a dreamer let me see you get it.

Okay.

If you a dreamer and you wont fold.

Hands up.

If you a dreamer let the world know.

Stand up.

If you're a dreamer let me see you live it.

Okay.

If youre a dreamer let me see you get it.

Okay.

If you a dreamer and you wont fold.

Hands up.

If you a dreamer let the world know.

Stand up.

Go get it.

Not trying to preach just teach.

You can have whatever just reach keep sleep down to a minimum.

You can catch zs when your six feet deep, rhymes I keep penning them prayers steadily.

Sending them.

Steph kept dribbling.

Shorty stack your bread buy the condominium.

Dont get caught in pop culture.

Dont be a bird we have enough vultures.

Systems of control tell you how to live yo life but you define if youre living right.

What I mean is, do you do what you like?

Do you have peace when you sleep at night?

Look, I work a 9-5 just like you.

It's a means to an end and it will be soon.

I dont care if they say I'm crazy, I'll be that too.

You're just mad you cant wear my shoes.

If youre a dreamer let me see you live it.

Okay.

If youre a dreamer let me see you get it.

Okay.

If you a dreamer and you wont fold.

Hands up.

If you a dreamer let the world know.

Stand up.

If youre a dreamer let me see you live it.

Okay.

If youre a dreamer let me see you get it.

Okay.

If you a dreamer and you wont fold.

Hands up.

If you a dreamer let the world know.

Stand up.

Go get it.

Get it, get it, get it.

Go get it.

Get it, get it, get it.

Go get it.

Get it, get it, get it.

Oh,If youre a dreamer let me see you live it.

Okay.

If youre a dreamer let me see you get it.

Okay.

If you a dreamer and you wont fold.

Hands up.

If you a dreamer let the world know.

Stand up.

Go get it.

Melrose that's my time.

We are in the mix with ShaMel.

Going places, going to events, staying through the whole event, doing your set, staying there afterwards, meet the people you opened up for.

Hang out with them.

They might bring you to another show.

Now their fans are checking for you.

And I've been in a lot of situations like that.

Even studios where I came in paid my money once or twice, never paid again just by hanging around being cool.

What can I do to help?

So I know this is kind of like an indirect way of you know what I'm saying saying how to meet fans and meet your fan base, but to me it's more so about just being a good person wherever you are doing good work.

If there's one person in the room two person, two people in a room, wherever you are, it doesn't matter.

Just do good, be good, treat people right.

And I just think that people gravitate towards same way with social media.

>>Thanks for joining us for this episode of Melrose in the Mix featuring ShaMel.

We'll see you again soon for another live recording session from here at the Melrose Center at the Orlando Public Library.