Melodownz is an award-winning rapper, singer, and storyteller from West Auckland. Known for his sharp lyricism and soulful, genre-blending sound, honest narratives and cultural depth to his music. Making him one of the most respected voices in NZ hip-hop today & one of the GOAT.
We sat down for a wide-ranging kōrero that moves from his deep connection to Avondale, to the personal values that guide him now. The conversation also digs into the realities of the NZ music industry (airplay, streaming, awards, collaboration culture, and the DIY legacy of acts like Home Brew), alongside branding/marketing, entrepreneurship, and building longevity beyond one hit.
We talked about mentoring youth, creating safe spaces, habits and discipline, fatherhood shaping his perspective (including accountability around misogyny), and the double-edged nature of technology/AI for creativity and human connection.
Podcast Chapters:
(0:00) - 🟣 The INTRO
(4:55) - 🎁 A Small gift
(6:16) - 🎛️ THE SOUNDBOARD
(6:34) - ☯️ Gratitude, Calm & Daily Practice
(8:19) - 🧭 Advice to His Younger Self
(12:05) - 📍 828 Avondale & Why It Means Everything
(15:43) - 👪 Family, Values & Upbringing
(17:23) - 🕊️ Spirituality & “Love Is the Religion”
(20:22) - 🤖 AI, Technology & Humanity
(23:35) - 🎨 Music as Catharsis
(24:15) - 🎤 From Graffiti to Rap
(25:24) - 🧠 Validation, Clout & Growing Up
(27:06) - ❌ Failure, Learning & Reinvention
(30:24) - 📦 If Melodownz Was a Product
(35:12) - 🌊 Flow State Explained
(36:10) - 🎵 Writing “East Side Blues”
(38:22) - 🔊 New Music Direction
(40:31) - 🎥 Creative Control & Music Videos
(43:17) - 🌈 COLORS Impact & Going Global
(45:29) - 📈 Longevity Without a Hit Song
(48:06) - 🎯 Authenticity vs Chasing Trends
(50:21) - 🇳🇿 The State of NZ Music
(52:29) - 💰 Funding, Touring & Post-COVID Reality
(55:12) - 🏆 Recognition, Awards & Global Impact
(57:21) - 🧱 Building Culture Outside the Industry
(58:08) - 🎤 Home Brew, Tom Scott & Legacy
(1:02:22) - 🧑🏫 Community Work & Mentoring Youth
(1:05:01) - 🧠 Safe Spaces & Healing Through Music
(1:10:08) - 👥 Role Models & Circles
(1:12:00) - 🥊 Discipline, Habits & Growth
(1:15:02) - 🚀 Motivation & Manifestation
(1:18:21) - 🏭 Proving Doubters Wrong
(1:21:19) - 🆕 NEW SEGMENT – Stay or Stray 🆚
(1:21:34) - 🆚 Chasing Hits vs Staying Authentic
(1:23:24) - 🆚 Global Success vs Staying Rooted
(1:24:29) - 🆚 Flashy Marketing vs Integrity
(1:25:07) - 👨👧 Fatherhood & Accountability
(1:26:46) - ♀️ Masculinity, Misogyny & Growth
(1:31:31) - 🤖 AI Music & The Future of Art
(1:35:17) - 🔜 New Album, Art & What’s Next
(1:36:16) - ❤️ Community Activations & Giving Back
(1:36:39) - 👋 Chao Chao!
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