Meeko Kolledi - Thru It (Single) + 10 Questions
New York native Meeko Kolledi has been rising up the ranks in recent times, and his latest drop ‘Thru It’ goes to show why.
Produced by King Vir2ue, the perfectly crafted beat, consisting of mallets, 808’s and fierce drum pad hits, is looped with a haunting synth pattern, creating a rhythm that is too irresistible to ignore. Delivering a faultless flow and killer chorus that ricochets against the melody, Meeko switches it up seamlessly and keeps us coming back for more. Describing the inspiration behind his bars as meaning “that there can be 2 very different sides to the same person”, he reflects the concept in the accompanying visuals, as he performs beside two dancers lit under pink hues.
Meeko, also known as Domenico P. D’Ippolito, was raised in Westchester, New York, and the bustling creativity of the city drove him to begin creating music from a young age. Studying music theory and learning how to play the cello, guitar and piano, he fused his craft with his love for poetry, leading him to begin writing raps and rhyme schemes.
Meeko sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I think what sparked my love for my music was when I was little, I remember my parents always having a deep love and appreciation for music in general. They played a lot of classic rock and music that they grew up on. I always found it so fascinating that they knew so many facts and stories about the musicians themselves. I think that's what got me fascinated about the possibility of doing music till one day I picked up a guitar and started to teach myself how to play, from there it just took off.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Well, the artists that influenced me the most are not as current as some of the new guys coming up, but I have appreciation for both. Some artists that introduced me to Hip Hop and greatly influenced my style and content would be Tupac, Eminem, DMX, The LOX, Nas, Linkin Park, The Game, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Fabolous, Kid Cudi, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9Ne, T.I, Ludacris, Machine Gun Kelly just to name a few. Artists who are kind of newer I'd say I really like what Polo G, Lil Durk & Jack Harlow are doing right now. They all have fresh sounds that I think are reinvigorating the game.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
The Pandemic took away people's potential to go out and make the human connection, which when it comes to music is the most important of all. I didn't realise how impactful this was until I started performing live again recently and always got great followers and fans from those experiences.
4. How would you describe your sound?
A lot of people describe my style as raw & gritty. My pen game has always been on point so I always get comparisons to those Eminem vibes. But with the way I supplement most of my songs with melodic hooks, people always have a hard time placing me in one category or another. My sound is very unique and I think it has a lot of angst and emotional accessibility.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
My proudest moment as an artist was when I signed a publishing deal to get my music placed for sync licensing opportunities. I was trying to submit my music to this guy for months and I always got shut down. When I finally sent him my latest release, it's like the floodgates opened.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
You have to outwork everybody. I was never the best at anything in my life, but I was always more determined than the next person. People around my way acknowledge I may not be in their top 5, but they respect my grind so much that I muscle my way into their top 5. Keep working, when it's friday night and everyone's out partying, you better be in the studio, cause that's the obsession and work ethic that will take you to the top.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
There's a few artists local around my way that I think are dope af and I really appreciate their music. KMD, Big Mont, TruWerdz, King Vir2ue, Yours Truly The Poet, Tano the Prophet, The Truth, Frank B and possibly a few more I can't think of right now. They are all on my radar, because in one way shape or form, they are doing something great for themselves and it motivates and inspires me.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
The Off Season by J Cole, BadFellas by Frank B & The Truth & Ghosting by Styles P.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I like going to the gym and going out to eat. I'm kind of a homebody really, I do music so much cause I'm home usually when I'm not working haha.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
I insist on using my handwritten lyrics and not using my phone, a good person to help feed my energy & usually some form of nicotine haha, it's time to quit, for real.