How One Artist’s Single Became The Beyoncé Icy Park Campaign Soundtrack

The scene fades from black to white and Beyoncé appears posing in Ivy Park x Adidas Collection merchandise as footage flashes to a field of ice glaciers while the beat drops. Melii fans, who watched in awe, were surprised to hear the Harlem rapper’s first single “Icey” featured on Adidas and Beyoncé’s spot for the third partnership collaboration. The song that illuminated a classic alpine style merging with a confident street flow, brought to life Beyoncé’s vision for her apparel, footwear, and accessories on full display for consumers.

Elated by the visuals and graphics that her song tied to, artist Melii shared: “I’m speechless. This is so motivational, she really let my record play.” This came as a surprise to the young rapper who has been working at her craft for quite some time. “Icey”, Melii’s debut single, was released in 2018 after her successful 2017 remix of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.” The remix garnered over 11 million streams on Spotify and over 2 million views on YouTube.

Melii shares more on how she created the single Icey featured in Beyoncé x Adidas’ Icy Park campaign, what inspired her musical start, tips for those entering or currently in the music field, and her hopes and plans for the future.

The Inspiration that Fueled Melii’s Music Career

Growing up with Dominican roots, Melii describes that being Afro-Latina influenced her music and vision to reach her community by using pertinent messaging and colloquial language in her songs.

“I grew up in the Harlem projects where a lot of cultures were fused together. It’s a world of its own. Sometimes as Afro-Latinos it’s possible to feel alienated in this environment because you fit into the Latin community when in the Afro-community, but then when strictly in the Latin community they see you as Afro-American. I want to use my music to balance both parts of my heritage without disrespecting either’s culture and a serve as a role model for the girls who don’t really feel like they have a place on either side.”

Both her parents who are Dominican, her mother born and raised in the Dominican Republican and father who was raised in the Bronx of Dominican/Cuban dissent, played music that fueled much of her creativity. Melii recalls her mom playing soft Dominican songs by Juan Luis Guerra and Miriam Cruz that inspired the softer side of her music. And while in the Bronx with her aunt, she would listen to prose by Lil’ Kim or the harmonies of Destiny’s Child. As she got older, Melii expanded her taste to Amy Winehouse, Drake, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, and PartyNextDoor; a variety of genres influenced her. In addition, her father would make music, which she recalls inspiring her tenacity in the field.

Developing What Would Become A Hit Commercial Single

The song Icey took off with commercials for Beyonce’s recent Ivy Park collection, however, this wasn’t Melii’s first successful endeavor. She has been in the music industry for a few years. Some of her big moments included Rihanna using “Icey” to promote her denture beauty and then later using a freestyle of Melii’s to drop new products. Kylie Jenner also used “Icey” to promote her cosmetic line. Additionally, Meek Mill put her on his album the first year she met him. The traction her music has gained in the industry, Melii’s growing subscribers, and 47 million cumulative YouTube views culminate to illustrate her successful musical track record enabling her music to reach far and wide.

As Melii shared in her recollection of her musical inspirations, the song “Icey” came to her when she was enjoying who she was—heritage, community, and all—in the recording studio as she began freestyling. She let the lyrics flow off her tongue and didn’t think too deeply of it, which resulted in a song expressing an unshakable confidence through a strong mode of delivery.

Melii loved that in addition to the song’s portrayal of an unshakable confidence, it curated a club-feel. She recalls thinking to her self: “What would girls be thinking during a night out on the town?” And as she previously expressed in an interview, they’d want to feel empowered in both their finest and every day moments. With Icey she aimed to empower women to enjoy the essence of who they are.

Overall, Melii felt Icey was spot on for the vibe Beyoncé aimed to achieve for the campaign commercial. A vibe that seeked: “to inspire creativity, individuality, and imagination, featuring a diverse set of collaborators that shows a more accurate representation of the country we live in today,” Melii shares. The songstress and rapper was also sure to include authentic Dominican-styled Spanish in the mainstream English hip hop song as she has found it often has never been done without feeling forced.

Tips Melii Shares for Music Enthusiasts & Artists

During her time in the industry Melii has collected a few personal tips that she shares with musical aspirants and current artists:

1. Pay attention to any deals being made and details. Having a deepened understanding of your craft is important, but equally as important is being present at the table when decisions are being made that can shape your career. Sometimes the nuances are in the minute details written between the lines. Seek clarity and ask questions as you determine a path forward.
2. Stay true to your sound and your fans. Your fans are drawn to your sound given the unique flavor and undertones you bring to the field. They’ve joined you on your journey in awe of the vibe and story you’ve shared with the world. Stay true to that sound and image and carry them with you on the journey as you evolve.
3. Always look for new ways to reinvent yourself. Reinvention can look like exploring music from cultures new to you, listening to underground genres and up and coming artists, or traveling down history lane to learn from those that have paved a way for both the current and next generations. Traversing through new territories creates the fuel to ideas you haven’t previously explored. Create space for that.
4. Never forget to have fun. Life is but a journey. We are all navigating through its ups and downs. Enjoy life and similarly enjoy your musical career. Have fun with it, don’t loose your fervor for creation by getting consumed in the seriousness of it all. Allow it to remain fresh and exciting. Also, continue to do the things you love like spending time with family and friends, engaging in hobbies, traveling, cooking, and more. Fun can be found in the little things both within and outside your profession.

As an artist Melii has implemented this advice personally by continuing to publish music since Icey with her latest single featuring 6lack following her previous hit single “HML” with A Boogie wit da Hoodie in 2019. The artist also has new music and a new album dropping soon. As a recently free agent, no longer signed to a record label, Melii is excited for all the future will hold.