Meet Melissa Padilla | Artist Development

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Padilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes me happy is music, being surrounded by friends and loved ones, making playlists, and helping other creatives perfect their craft. Being surrounded by people who support me on a daily basis pushes me to continue moving forward everyday. Music has always put me in a good mood, no matter what emotions or feelings are flowing through my body at the time. I know that when I put on music, it will uplift my spirits and make me happy inside and out. I enjoy collaborating with creatives, pushing them to try new things, and encouraging them to meet other new and established creatives. Making playlists have also been a therapeutic vice in contributing to my happiness. Making playlists allows myself to showcase my personality and creativeness to world, which all in all makes me happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is that I’m very passionate, tenacious, proactive, and loyal. What I’m most excited about is the growth in my career as an up and coming A&R working with artists such as Ania Nelson who just dropped a single “Sequence” out now on all streaming platforms, Malik who also dropped an album late December and also dropped an EP in 2019, And Hashim who I’ll be working on a project with very soon so stay tuned for that. When I started creating these relationships with creatives, I realized that our bond was organic. I went to a lot of shows and I also have a friend named Charles who use to send me a new song or artist everyday and it intrigued me to find out more about the artist and find out who produced it. I went to the Los Angeles Film School back in 2018 and majored in Entertainment business. I was able to see the Ins and outs of the industry. In the midst of attending school, networking already came easy to me. So at that point, I decided to branch out on my own and start my career being an A&R. I feel like it was easier to go out into the world on my own because I feel like there’s better opportunities that I can find on my own versus what the school had to offer, an opportunity like this.
One thing I want the world to know about me is I’m a very committed person and I make things happen, when I dedicate my mind to something, I put my heart and soul in everything I do until I’m satisfied with the outcomes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from La, so we’re doing some come cool chill stuff. Say my friend lands on a Friday afternoon the first place I’ll take them is Simply Wholesome on Slauson and Overhill. Simply is a black owned health food store and restaurant that’s been serving people in the community since 1984. I would also like to cruise around for a bit to show my friend the real La. South Central, Leimert Park, Inglewood. I want them to get a feel about our culture. Followed up with some dinner reservations at the High Rooftop lounge. The rooftop lounge is such a great brunch or dinner spot with an incredible view of Venice beach. Saturday morning plans will be getting some breakfast at the serving spoon in Inglewood. After breakfast we could do a little shopping on the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica or the grove in La by the Fairfax/Melrose area. We’ll end the night at El Coyote Mexican restaurant. On Sundays we brunch, so we’ll do brunch at the Rockefeller in Manhattan beach with bottomless mimosas, and for the rest of the week we’ll do some shopping, more eating, and just living life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Someone I would love to shed light on is Ike Abakah, a photographer and creative director from Hartford, Connecticut. We met about five years ago at a YG pop up shop, on Fairfax Ave, in Los Angeles, Ca. Ike turned around while we were in line to ask me a question, and who knew that would spark a friendship between us. We’ve kept in touch over the years, and Ike has always been someone who I can call on for guidance, encouragement, and support. He’s a dope photographer and has taken photos for artists like DaBaby, A$AP Rocky, and Playboi Carti.

Instagram: @lovelymelissaa

Image Credits
Sequence cover art: @aniathirteen photos by: @lovelynuisance @champagnedyke Malik in the studio: @lik.one                                            Photo of playboi cardi and A$AP Rocky by: Ike Abakah                                Profile Photo: Sara Itagaki