Florida-born vocalist and rapper YNW Melly (b. Jamell Demons) is winning over new listeners daily with his spirited rap storytelling, eccentric personality, and paradoxical approach. The 19-year-old recording artist, who recently relocated to Miami from his hometown of Gifford, first discovered a penchant for turning the adversity he faced into compelling songs at the age of 15, drawing from his own experiences to be both a voice for others and build his own empire. 

While first exploring his talents as a naturally gifted vocalist and promising songwriter in middle school, his determination to persevere was later put to the test when he was incarcerated for his involvement in a shooting at age 16. While serving time on a weapons charge, Melly decided to not only get his G.E.D. but to dial down on his passion for music, going on to commit to his craft with a newfound focus. During his time behind bars, Melly experienced his first taste of success, with his song "Murder On My Mind" putting some serious streaming numbers on the board. The breakout single, which helped build his fan base and put him on the radar of industry taste makers, also came with some unfortunate consequences, catching the attention of a prosecuting attorney who read the song's descriptively violent lyrics aloud in court in an unfortunately successful attempt to the aspiring rapper back in jail for violating his probation, among other petty infractions.

Despite this minor setback, YNW Melly continued keeping his faith and work ethic up, satisfying his burgeoning fan base with the release of multiple singles and videos, including dropping his debut Collect Call EP in 2017, which featured guest appearances from Lil Band John Wicks. In 2018, he continued combating his legal woes by consistently releasing new music, with singles such as "Virtual (Blue Balenciagas)," "Melly the Menace," and "Slang That Iron" showcasing his knack for creating thought-provoking street anthems that tactfully weave between what he refers to as his "street side" and his "loving side." The contrast between soulful melodies and hard-edged rapping is where Melly finds his authentic strength and undeniable charisma, creating a captivating relationship between his lyric and production choices. As he allures fans in with his raw, unfiltered story, Melly thrives in the crossroads where contradiction and vulnerability meet, often shifting between serenading his significant other and boldly threatening those who test his street savvy.

Not one to take second chances for granted, upon his release from jail in March 2018, Melly decided to move to Miami, welcoming the next chapter of his life with a hunger that would result in some of his best music to date being created. In July 2018, Melly released his debut project, I Am You, a cohesive 15-track project that has since racked up millions of streams across platforms, further solidifying that he is destined for something much larger than his at-times dispiriting and deterring hometown had wanted him to believe. The project's title doubles as a personal mantra, often reminding him to find a personable common ground with others and to adapt to different situations as best as possible, all while remaining true to one's self.

From beating a case that could have resulted in a 15-year sentence to creating a platform that he hopes to share with other artists, including his twin brother YNW Sakchaser, YNW Melly is working to make his lifelong idol Michael Jackson proud and inspire others to reach their potential. YNW Melly, who is gearing up to embark on his first headlining 30-city tour this fall, is a force to be reckoned with, already eagerly detailing future plans to expand his business ventures beyond music and create his own clothing line, as well as potentially break into the boating industry.