My name is Michelle Johnson, also known as Me’ca Melody. I was born and raised in Croydon, London. My musical journey began in the Pentecostal church, where I sang in the choir and became one of its lead vocalists by the age of 14. At 16, I joined a group called Reefer Madness with a college friend, Joel Reefer, who continues to produce music today.
We were discovered by Frederick Hook, drummer for The Pretenders, who invited us to his studio in Streatham. It was a humble setup—a four-track studio in a van—but it’s where we learned to compose using a basic keyboard, 808 drum machine, and that four-track recorder. This hands-on experience taught me how to craft original songs, develop harmonies, and refine my unique vocal style.
One of our tracks made it onto the soundtrack of a Japanese film called *The 90 Days*. I was later offered a contract by Island Records, but I turned it down, feeling I wasn’t yet ready to go solo—a decision that became a valuable lesson in timing and opportunity.
Over the years, I’ve entered various talent shows including Hackney Empire’s 291 Club, Tony Lee Singers Promotions, Singers Paradise, and Bionic Rona’s Talent Search in Battersea. That’s where I met Bionic Rona, who became a mentor and introduced me to Papa Levi. He invited me to collaborate on a track called *Physical*—I wrote and recorded vocals he was happy to use.
I’ve also performed in several groups: a girl band called Infinity, a jazz group named Soda, and worked with Merlin, nephew of Smiley Culture. After taking time out to raise my son, I returned to music and joined the Mystical Roots Warrior label. I was introduced to Marky Roots by his brother, and we’ve since recorded an album awaiting release. I’ve also recently contributed backing vocals to two tracks on Ricky Ranking’s upcoming album.
