Uniting America with Nicole Draffen

What’s good, beautiful people? DJ Meladik, coming at you from the Left Coast. Let me set the stage for you: Inglewood, California, where the soul of the community beats like a steady drum. I had the honor of stepping into that rhythm, flyers in hand, smiles exchanged, promoting a cause that’s about to shift the atmosphere. That cause? The powerful message of Nicole Draffen, an author and leader in a movement that might help heal this fractured Nation.

Nicole Draffen isn’t just an author, she’s a force of nature and beacon of change. Her book carries a bold vision: to remove the hyphen that divides "American" and to restore the wholeness in our identity. Now, let me break that down for you. We’ve all heard it, right? “African-American,” “Asian-American,” “Latino-American” — it’s like we’re sectioned off, separated by invisible lines. Nicole is calling for us to drop the hyphen, and I’m here for it.

We’re not part-time Americans. We’re not “kinda” in. We’re all the way in, and that’s what Nicole is driving home. Her book isn’t just pages bound by a cover; it’s a manifesto for unity, a rallying cry for a more inclusive and holistic identity. 

I remember being on the streets of Inglewood, catching the vibe of the people as I passed out flyers for her book. The conversations? Real, raw, and hopeful. We’re tired of the labels, tired of being divided by a little line in our name. The energy was palpable. It wasn’t just me talking to folks — it was the entire community ready to embrace something greater, something we could all feel.

This isn’t just a book tour for Nicole. This is a movement, a cultural reset, and I’m beyond honored to be a part of it. And let me tell you, she’s not doing this alone. Nicole Draffen sponsored our brand-new Melodic Playground Magazine — talk about love and support! It’s rare you find someone who not only stands behind their message but also pours back into the community in such a meaningful way. That’s what makes Nicole special. She’s not just speaking change; she’s investing in it.

Now, y’all know me. I’ve been in the game a minute. Between my podcast and Radio Station, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with all kinds of creatives, activists, and changemakers. But there’s something about Nicole Draffen that shines brighter.. She’s not just talking about change; she’s walking it, living it. And that’s why we’re riding with her on this journey. 

What I appreciate about Nicole is that she’s not just looking at the surface level. She’s not trying to put a band-aid on America’s wounds; she’s going deep, addressing the systemic, historical, and cultural forces that have divided us for too long. This isn’t about erasing our unique heritages or diminishing the struggles that shaped us. It’s about recognizing that, at the end of the day, we’re all part of one nation — unhyphenated, united, and indivisible.

Her book speaks to that truth, and as the leader of this movement, she’s inspiring thousands to see beyond the labels. Her call for unity is loud and clear, and if you’re not paying attention yet, now’s the time to wake up. The power of what she’s doing? It’s undeniable, and I’m proud to stand beside her in this mission.

Here’s the thing: The hyphen may seem small, but it’s symbolic. It’s a reminder of separation, of being “othered.” And Nicole’s saying, “Nah, we’re done with that.” And I couldn’t agree more. Her vision isn’t just for one group of people; it’s for all of us, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. This movement is for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in, like they were labeled as "less than"  ,"not enough", or reluctantly an "Other".

And it doesn’t stop there. With Nicole’s sponsorship of Melodic Playground Magazine, we’re seeing the seeds of long-lasting change being planted. She believes in us, in our platform, in our ability to amplify voices, and we believe in her. It’s the start of a partnership that’s rooted in an entrepreneurs mutual respect and a shared rebel vision for change.  I'm talking about an alliance with purpose, and an unshakable commitment to uplift our nation. It’s rare to find someone who truly embodies the spirit of change, but with Nicole Draffen, we’ve found just that.

So here’s to Nicole, to the Hyphened-Nation movement, to the future we’re building together. This is just the beginning, but with the energy we’re feeling on the streets and the power behind her words, I know we’re on the verge of something big because this wave is about to turn into a tidal force. We’re out here, uniting, uplifting, and rewriting the narrative one hyphen at a time. Before I wrap this up, let me leave you with this: if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and check out Nicole Draffen’s new book on Amazon. This isn’t just another wasted tree to sit on your shelf. Hyphened Nation is a movement between the pages, a blueprint for healing, and a call to action for anyone ready to see real change in America. Nicole breaks it all down with clarity and conviction, making you think, reflect, and ultimately, act. Do the globe a favor and grab your copy, dive into the vision, and let’s be part of the change.

Devorah's Voice is Taking over the World

 

As the founder and director of Melodic Playground Radio, my passion has always been to uplift and support underground and indie artists who pour their heart and soul into their craft. Over the years, I’ve discovered many talents, but every so often, an artist comes along who leaves a lasting impression—an artist you just know is on the verge of breaking into something big. That artist, for me, is Devorah.

Hailing from San Diego, Devorah’s latest project, “I AM,” has the West Coast buzzing, and it’s easy to see why. From the very first listen, it’s clear this album is a game-changer. With an angelic voice that effortlessly moves from soothing melodies to powerful anthems, Devorah has created a project that can light up the dance floors of clubs, the massive stages of festivals, and the only thing you need in your stereo on a road trip to Las Vegas. She really has released that much music! It’s not just her voice that stands out—it’s the entire production of the album. The quality is undeniably five-star, A1 Sauce, exactly what you would expect from a seasoned industry heavyweight. Yet, here she is, an indie artist making waves straight from our Southern California backyard. 

When I first heard Devorah, I knew this was more than just a passing trend. I felt the spark of something bigger, a force ready to take over the world. And let me be the first to say—you heard it here first at Melodic Playground Radio. This is exactly the kind of artist that the mainstream may overlook for now, but not for long. Her time is coming, and when it does, Devorah will rise to the top.

Supporting Devorah has been an honor. Not only because her music is incredible, but also because of who she is as a person. Her Soul is just as beautiful as her Voice. She has an open invite FOR LIFE, here at our studio in downtown Riverside. In this industry, it’s easy for artists to get swept up in their own world, but Devorah remains grounded and fully engaged with her fans. She truly appreciates the support she receives, and that makes all the difference.

A standout moment for me was when we at created a promotional flyer to help spread the word about her new album in the Inland Empire. Devorah didn’t just acknowledge the effort with a polite thank you—she embraced it. She loved the flyer so much that she posted it on her Instagram, sharing her gratitude with all of her followers. That’s who Devorah is—an artist who values the people who are in her corner. Her voice may be beautiful, but her soul is even more so. For Devorah, it's not about the numbers, it's about the connections, She really is doing this for the right reasons!

When you listen to I AM,” it’s impossible not to get drawn into Devorah’s world. The album takes you on a journey, blending emotional depth with energetic beats that make you want to hit repeat again and again. Whether you’re looking for a song to unwind to after a long day or something to get the party started, I AM has it all. It’s versatile, dynamic, and most importantly, authentic. That’s the kind of artistry that resonates on a deep level and keeps fans coming back for more. My favorite track on the album is "Take Over The World" it has a great message but the drop can drive a club insane and as a DJ, I can't wait to spin the record for a crowd.

I am a huge fan of underground music, nothing makes me prouder than discovering an artist like Devorah. I see her potential not just as a successful indie artist, but as someone who is destined for stardom. Her talent, combined with her work ethic and genuine personality, is a recipe for greatness.  Melodic Playground is going to do our part to help Devorah along her way to the top of the charts. It would be so nice to see her perform live, even better if she could hook us up with backstage passes when she finally makes it to Coachella. Devorah’s rise to the top feels inevitable. Melodic Playground Radio is ahead of the curve, supporting artists the mainstream often overlooks. Devorah is exactly the kind of talent we exist to promote. Mark my words—her name is going to be everywhere soon, and we’ll all look back at these early days when she was just beginning to make waves in Southern California.

3 Albums in 3 Months - Summer 2024

My entire life has been a struggle so it was only fitting that the Summer of 2024 would present some of the most difficult challenges of my adult life. Once again I was forged by a fire that not only fueled my survival but in turn strengthened the man made of steel. I have a podcast to tell my crazy story. However I just can't record enough episodes to keep up with the roller coaster rides. The smiles, the cries and living on the edge of insanity. My entire life I have dealt with the pains in my brain by playing sports or losing myself into the perfect song that expressed my mood. This is why I created Melodic Playground.... to express myself.

The radio station is nearing it's 5 anniversary but the truth is it's like a baby chick trying to break out the shell. Melodic Playground Radio still has yet to stretched it's legs. Believe it or not I was a rapper in my past life. I learned how to mix and DJ on a basic level but it wasn't until the pandemic that I took my first music lesson. So for the record I created Melodic Playground Radio before i ever had my first music lesson. 6 lessons to be exact and I spent more time talking than learning. So I truly am self taught and Youtube is my only sensei. 

I began broadcasting 24 hours a day, My music only. Really you can call it my learning process. I would listen to my radio station to take a break from the other radio stations and eventually my radio station got bigger and better. This year I opened it up to other artists in my network that deserve some shine and now my radio station sounds just as good as any other station out there. Some might say it's better and if they aren't, they will be saying it soon. My plan is turn it into an official ascap station for 2025.

With these plans in sight it was time to drop my 1st album , the appetizer " Meladik Kandy " but the day after my release someone crashed into my car. Long story short, when Queen Meladee was in the hospital we were forced to get a cheaper insurance company and now they are trying to say the car is totaled. They are trying to leave me without a car, no money to get a new car and a $7,000 debt on a car they the finance company is trying to reclaim because the insurance company ( which has yet to look at the car ) is saying it's totaled. The whole system is rigged and both law firms I hired , Colony Law and Sweet James have extremely disappointed me. The driver hit me, admitted it and still every institution involved is getting paid at my expense. No urgency to get me car, no conscience to do the right thing for the victim. I will be talking about this more in detail in the future but I had to mention it today to explain how my whole summer was taken from me.

With no car I began losing clients and my day job was fading away. I was losing way more than I was making because Melodic Playground was suppose to be my hobbie / side job. This Summer I had no choice but to spend 12-15 hour shifts at the studio. Making music, marketing artists, advertisers and sponsors. I use to do 12 hours of construction so 12 hours in the music studio is nothing to me but while I am over here trying to keep the dream alive, one of my so called best friends wanted me to commit a crime. He wanted me to cash some blank checks in my bank account. Sounds like a set up right? Doesn't it Sound like I would have easily been caught...  makes you think like he wasn't really a friend right?

Plenty of other things went wrong this Summer and on the verge of ending up in Patton Mental Facility. I locked myself in the studio and did it again. I was able to get another sponsor which paid for the mastering on " Secret Sauce " and that gave me the medicine of hope. Hope is stronger than most drugs and for someone like me just a sniff of Hope was all I needed to keep the dream alive.

These songs have feelings and help me get through my rough days, so I really don't care if anyone else listens. Finishing the songs, mastering them and working on the album covers took my mind off the turmoil I was going through. Kept me out of jail. Many of the songs made me feel proud of how far I have come as engineer but I know I have much more to learn. I don't have the skills to express myself the way I want but I am getting closer with each track and " Gunna Luv Me" is a sample of what's on the way.

The Be Dope Mixtape was the 3rd album of the Summer. I was able to use samples of my Daughter "  Princess Rayleen" on a few songs. Queen Meladee was the model for my album cover and B-Dope Water came back to sponsor the album and pay for my mastering. This Summer was testing but in many ways the perfect definition of my life. Nothing in my life goes as planned. It's always a uphill battling a slippery slope but I don't give up because I have this fire inside of me... a passion burning to be what I really want to be, who I really want to be. I am sooooo close, I can feel it. Stay Tuned in for the Next Episode, might end up on