* En anglais uniquement
A former member of the
Boogie Down Productions family and the ex-wife of that group's
KRS-One,
Ms. Melodie -- born
Ramona Parker in Flatbush, Brooklyn -- only stepped out for one solo record, but the formidable rapper made memorable appearances on
BDP's records, and she was also part of the Stop the Violence Movement's "Self Destruction," as well as H.E.A.L.'s (Human Education Against Lies) releases (all of which were projects instigated by
KRS-One). Her lone solo album, 1989's
Diva (Jive), featured production from her aforementioned ex-husband, the Awesome 2, and Sam Sever. She also appeared briefly in Keenan Ivory Wayans' I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. She died in July 2012 at the age of 43. ~ Andy Kellman