Renegade Masters: Melinki

Melinki is a renowned figure in the Drum & Bass music scene, known not only for his exceptional talent as a producer and DJ but also for his visionary leadership as the founder of Four Corners Music. With a career spanning over several years, Melinki has left an indelible mark on the genre, and his dedication to the music industry is nothing short of inspiring.

As a skilled producer, Melinki has consistently delivered tracks that resonate with Drum & Bass enthusiasts worldwide. His unique sound fuses intricate rhythms, powerful basslines, and emotive melodies, creating a sonic landscape that captivates the listener. With releases on prominent labels and collaborations with some of the most respected artists in the industry, his music has earned him a well-deserved place among the genre’s elite.

However, Melinki’s influence goes beyond the studio and stage. In 2013, he took a bold step by establishing Four Corners Music, a record label that quickly became a hub for cutting-edge Drum & Bass. The label has garnered a reputation for pushing boundaries and showcasing a diverse range of artists, emphasizing the eclectic nature of the genre. Under Melinki’s guidance, Four Corners Music has provided a platform for both established and emerging talents, fostering a sense of community and collaboration that defines the Drum & Bass culture.

Melinki’s dedication to curating and promoting exceptional Drum & Bass music has had a profound impact on the global Drum & Bass scene. His commitment to the art, his relentless pursuit of quality, and his unwavering support for the artists under his wing make him a pivotal figure in the genre’s evolution. With Four Corners Music as his creative canvas, Melinki continues to shape the future of Drum & Bass, ensuring that the music remains vibrant, innovative, and true to its roots.

In summary, Melinki is not just a producer, DJ, or label owner; he is a driving force behind the Drum & Bass community. His multifaceted contributions to the genre have earned him a respected place at the forefront of the scene, and his passion for the music and the artists he works with is a testament to his enduring impact. With Melinki’s guidance, Four Corners Music is more than a label; it’s a movement that celebrates the diverse and ever-evolving world of Drum & Bass.

Today Melinki joins our Renegade Masters series which I’m really excited about! I’ve wanted to pin him down for a mix for ages but for one reason or another, the stars have not aligned…until now!

This mix is a real journey, starting quite hard and gradually morphing into more of a liquid vibe! It clocks in at 1hr 51 mins and is an absolute masterpiece. The mix features music from himself, Kind Fiction, Netsky, S.P.Y, Blue Mar Ten, Ed Rush & Optical, Creatures, LSB, Leks, Vanguard Project, NC-17 and loads more including a ton of Four Corners Dubs…we are very lucky!

Check out the mix below and download it for free here!

Q&A:

Sum up this mix in 10 words…

A journey through loadsa music and styles I’m feeling ATM (and loads of Four Corners Dubs!)

What’s your personal favourite track on it?

Probably my track with Philth & Peas ‘Wheat from the Chaff’. It’s forthcoming on my next album and I’m really excited about that one.

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?

Playing music I really love and want to share with people and not being afraid to play different styles.

I put a lot of thought and work into every mix I do so my special ingredient is always preparation so that every mix plays its part in telling the story and taking listeners on the journey.

Tell us about your next EP…

I have a two-track single coming on Intrigue before the end of the year with Medic MC featuring some amazing artists. I’ve also just finished a 4 track solo EP for V Recordings which im really proud of.

As well as an EP on Rebel Music and my second album which will be coming out on Four Corners Music in 2024.

What have you got coming up?

Our next Four Corners club night is at the Crypt nightclub in Hastings on Friday 22nd December which is the final stop of the year for the 30 years of V Recordings tour. We have Bryan Gee, Sl8R, Chimpo and Ilmatika and it’s going to be a big one so get your tickets now!

When was the last time you actually raved?

Last weekend actually haha. I went down to Bristol for Alternate Warehouse Rave with Calibre, Break, Halogenix, Skeptical, Icicle, GQ and SP. Dream lineup business. I go raving regularly and always come back feeling more inspired and driven.

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?

Just a thank you for listening to my mixes and supporting my label it means so much to me to know people are enjoying our output. Thanks for all the support 🙂

TRACKLIST:

Sklart Mafia – Galaxies (Four Corners Dub)

Dubhead – Onset

LSB – Potshot

Sklart Mafia – Prescription (Four Corners Dub)

Dubhead – Codebreaker

Bennie Feat Medic – Stage Fright

Creatures – Stop Them

Melinki. & Philth Feat Peas – Wheat From the Chaff (Four Corners Dub)

Break – Free Your Mind

Rift – Blinded (Four Corners Dub)

Noisia – Floating Zero

Articulated Movement – Spiders (Four Corners Dub)

Melinki & Macca – Overated (Four Corners Dub)

Ed Rush & Optical – Medicine (Matrix Remix)

Clearance – Game Remains The Same

Shy Fx – Dance Haffi Nice

Monument Banks – Tranquility (Four Corners Dub)

Peekaboo – Bumpin

Leks – Skins

Dave – Mad Ting

Noisia – Underprint (DLR Remix)

Sl8r – Losing streak

Usual Suspects – Shrapnel (Stakka & Skynet Remix)

Ryme Tyme – Move Vip

Madcap – Original Strut

Myth – Sabotage Vip

Em@il – Drumfunk (Four Corners Dub)

Alibi – Rave Digger

Vanguard Project – Everyday is stolen (Particle Remix)

Ob – Zero Sum

Fluidity – Minotaur Vip

NC-17 – Raw Means War

Leks – Clock Ticking

NC-17 – Evil C

Rift – Unforgiving (Four Corners Dub)

Articulated Movement – Strange Creatures (Four Corners Dub)

The Sauce – Night Night

Oram – Dubplate

Adam F – Metropolis

Kind Fiction – Wrongful (Four Corners Dub)

Satl – ID

Archangel – The Whitching hour

Surveillance – Give (Four Corners Dub)

Heft – Noir Soul

Submorphics – Summer Soul

Zero Zero – Eve

Melinki & Macca – I Feel (Four Corners Dub)

Solligen – Onra

ALB – La La La (Four Corners Dub)

Sub Focus – Close (Ivy Lab Remix)

Villem – Lost (Four Corners Dub)

Sklart Mafia – Seeing Clearly (Four Corners Dub)

Koax – Silent (Four Corners Dub)

Kind Fiction – Epitome

Kind Fiction Feat Luke Truth – Status (Four Corners Dub)

Motiv – Illusions

Netsky – Play

Fortune Cookie – Burn Again (Four Corners Dub)

Holdtight – Shortlist

Sub:liminal & Solr – In Reach – (Four Corners Dub)

Duoscience – Face

S.P.Y – Love Hurts

Blu Mar Ten – Blind Soul

Tweakz – Always Tomorrow (Four Corners Dub)