{"id":86778,"date":"2026-02-24T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/?p=86778"},"modified":"2026-02-24T17:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:37:22","slug":"melinki-talks-legacy-longevity-and-the-ever-changing-pulse-of-drum-bass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2026\/02\/24\/melinki-talks-legacy-longevity-and-the-ever-changing-pulse-of-drum-bass\/","title":{"rendered":"Melinki Talks Legacy, Longevity and the Ever-Changing Pulse of Drum &amp; Bass"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>With an exciting chapter ahead for the drum &amp; bass selector\/producer and his label Four Corners Music, we sat down with Melinki to talk about his journey from shaping the identity of his imprint to refining his own sound, and how both continue to evolve in tandem as the next phase unfolds.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patience and perseverance are virtues heavily rewarded in the notoriously gritty and competitive world of the drum &amp; bass underground. It\u2019s a culture that champions longevity, consistency, and a deep-rooted commitment to the craft, and few artists understand this fundamental truth quite like Melinki. Since making his debut in 2012, Melinki has laid a sonic footprint so incredibly expansive that he has arguably left his fingerprint on every single sub-genre and stylistic offshoot of the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you are craving something rattling and dancefloor-heavy, or looking for dark and deep rollers, or seeking out lush, soulful liquid cuts, Melinki\u2019s discography delivers on all fronts and accentuates his reputation as a deeply invested student of the genre. Melinki&#8217;s artistic breadth is also reflected in his studio albums. His debut LP, The &#8216;S.T.L Project,&#8217; landed on the revered Fokuz Recordings, a label long respected for championing quality, musically rich drum &amp; bass. Then came &#8216;A Lifetime Obsession,&#8217; released on his own imprint, Four Corners Music, a label he has been meticulously building from the ground up with passion, love, and unwavering care for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name itself indicates inclusivity, and a catalog reflects exactly that embraces all \u201cfour corners\u201d of drum &amp; bass. Melinki\u2019s philosophy for the imprint is refreshingly straightforward yet incredibly ambitious: &#8220;We want to push excellent music in all its forms!&#8221; and it&#8217;s a fact reflected in the diverse roster of artists and the wide array of sonic styles he actively champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The year 2025 stood as a massive landmark for the label. It was a period defined by immense momentum and top-tier output, featuring critically acclaimed releases from a formidable line-up of artists like Leniz, Skuff, Creatures, Simple Souls, and Tweakz, alongside Melinki\u2019s own contributions. Now that we are steadily stepping into 2026, the Four Corners Music camp is showing zero signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The label\u2019s forthcoming catalog is already stacked, with new music from Philth, Conrad Subs, Hiraeth, T.R.A.C, Sydney Bryce, Malaky and more; and Melinki has captured all the upcoming music on Four Corners Music with an exclusive showcase mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, in anticipation of what the rest of 2026 holds and to uncover exactly how Four Corners will continue pushing the authentic drum &amp; bass they believe in, we caught up with Melinki for an exclusive, in-depth chat. We sat down with the label head to discuss the journey of building his imprint, reflect on the monumental success of 2025, and explore how he expertly navigates the constant, rapid stylistic shifts the genre continuously goes through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was time for a chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TFword: Looking back at last year, how would you sum it up for Four Corners Music, creatively and structurally?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> Creatively, much the same as previous years and the same as I plan to continue going forward. Releasing music that I love personally, music that resonates with me and makes me feel something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I always ask myself the question, \u201cWould I play this in one of my DJ sets ?\u201d If it\u2019s a yes, then it\u2019s getting signed, I\u2019m not thinking about what\u2019s popular or what other people are into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Structurally, I\u2019m trying to be as organised as I can. I have projects finalised months, or even sometimes years, before release. Mastered, artwork, promo plan, etc., all ready to go way in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are releasing every 3 weeks until well into 2027 and have some incredible music on the way. The long lead time also means I have a tonne of exclusives for when I DJ, but most importantly, gives the tracks time to gain traction and a bit of mystery around them. This is the whole idea around this mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Melinki \/ Four Corners Music\" width=\"702\" height=\"450\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fusers%2F147088&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=1000&#038;maxwidth=702\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TF: In a time when drum &amp; bass is experimenting more than ever<\/strong> <strong>with tempo shifts, cross-genre influences, and emotional extremes, how do you define the Four Corners sound today?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> The idea behind Four Corners initially came from a mix I did for DNB Arena. The concept was 4 MCs, all representing their corner of the scene in 15-minute sections. Mc Tali, Harry Shotta, Visionobi and Mc Coppa. They all smashed it and the mix went down really well. I loved the concept and wanted to further it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I first got into drum and bass, there weren\u2019t really sub genres. You would hear all sorts in a night and have varied lineups. That passed onto me when DJ\u2019ing and I\u2019ve always loved taking people on a journey. I play any music I love and don\u2019t stick to one sub-genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ve been massively inspired by DJs like Marky, where one minute you\u2019ll be enjoying a jazzy liquid tune and the next he\u2019s dropped in an absolute monster jump up tune and it sends people wild. I live for that. I can\u2019t imagine only sticking to one style in an entire set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So that\u2019s how I would define Four Corners. We represent all Four Corners of the sound, and from release to release, you never know what you\u2019re going to get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>Is there a specific aesthetic, mood, or philosophy you\u2019re consciously pushing this year, or do you prefer to let the artists lead that evolution naturally?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> I work with the same two designers who have always done all our artwork. So I like releases to be instantly recognisable that it\u2019s Four Corners. But I also like to let the artists take the lead on the way they want the release to look and feel to suit the music. It\u2019s always important to me to have good communication with the artists all the way through the release, especially with artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>You recently dropped a mix made up entirely of forthcoming Four Corners Music releases. What was the idea behind presenting the label\u2019s year ahead in this format rather than through singles or EP announcements?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> As I mentioned previously, I like to work way in advance and let the tracks build some excitement and traction. So this is an ideal way to give people a taste of what\u2019s to come this year on the label and start building some hype for the artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s no tracklist though, so people will have to really dig to find out what\u2019s what. I find it gives the tunes a bit more shelf life and creates a bit of mystery around the releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Melinki Presents The Four Corners 2026 Promo Mix (100% unreleased music) by Melinki \/ Four Corners Music\" width=\"702\" height=\"400\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F2253381923&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=1000&#038;maxwidth=702\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>When you listen back to that mix now, what does it tell you about where the label is sitting sonically in 2026?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> It makes me really proud. We have a very exciting year ahead and I\u2019m really happy to be working with all the artists I am. I think I\u2019ll be proud of this music in years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>Were there any tracks in the mix that surprised you, even as the label boss, once they were placed in a broader narrative?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> Not really, but there are definitely tracks that I enjoy more and more every time I play them and others that turn out to be just great DJ tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>What lessons did last year teach you about running an independent drum &amp; bass label in such a fast-moving ecosystem?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> That artists really appreciate good, clear, and honest communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve been very lucky with the number of great artists who get in contact and want to work with the label, so it\u2019s always really important to me to make them feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m a one-man team with a separate full-time job, a wife, and 3 young children. So there\u2019s only so much I can do and I don\u2019t always get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But personally, I feel clear communication goes such a long way. Hopefully, one day soon, I\u2019ll be able to expand and take on some staff but for now I think being transparent and a nice person is most important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>Your own work as Melinki has evolved noticeably over the years. How do you personally track that progression?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> Thank you, that\u2019s really great to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Production isn\u2019t something that\u2019s come naturally to me if I\u2019m honest.&nbsp;So I\u2019d say my progression is down to being very determined, stubborn and a bit obsessed haha. I only ever started producing because I loved DJ\u2019ing so much and wanted to take that as far as I can and didn\u2019t really enjoy it much at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, I\u2019ve begun to love producing though. With a very hectic life, it\u2019s my solitude and escape. I\u2019m fortunate to have a lot of talented people around me, so I\u2019m always learning and improving and take a lot of inspiration from doing the label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also have a very strong idea of what does and doesn\u2019t work in tracks and enjoy sharing ideas and polishing tracks up with artists to get the best possible product. This, in turn, adds to my experience with my own production, so I\u2019d say although doing the label gives me less time to work on my own music, it makes my sessions a lot more productive when I do get time to make music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>What does progression mean to you now compared to earlier in your career?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> Lots of things, really. I&#8217;ve acquired a lot of accolades on my journey over the last 20 years through slow and steady dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the last few years, I\u2019ve been working with labels I\u2019ve always dreamed of &#8211; V Recordings, Shogun, Dispatch, Liquicity and loads more, which is amazing, but I think it means people respect my opinion more when it comes to dealing with A&amp;R on my own label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s presented some really great gig opportunities over the last year too. I\u2019m playing fewer gigs these days than earlier in my career, but the gigs I\u2019m getting are a lot more meaningful and special. Last year I played in Austria, Berlin, Amsterdam and all around the UK. In 2026, I\u2019ve already been booked for some really special gigs and festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I always want to work with promoters the best I can to make gigs work. I don\u2019t take every gig I\u2019m offered these days; it\u2019s not about money. It\u2019s about the experience I\u2019ll have and share with the promoters and punters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>Do you see your production alias as a direct extension of your DJ sets, or as a separate creative outlet altogether?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> Yes, but maybe 10 years behind haha. I\u2019m extremely confident in my DJ abilities and what I want to portray in my sets. I wish I were as confident in my production, but hopefully one day that will catch up. For now, I\u2019m enjoying the journey though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Podcasts by Melinki \/ Four Corners Music\" width=\"702\" height=\"450\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F1560787153&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=1000&#038;maxwidth=702\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>How has running a label influenced the way you approach your own music? Does it sharpen your perspective or complicate it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> A bit of both. It definitely takes up more of my time, which I would be using to make music but in turn it means I\u2019ve always got stuff to share and helps keep me relevant online, I guess. Which kind of takes the pressure off in the studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think it really helps me know what direction I want tracks to go in and how I want the end product to sound, but I often compare with tracks I\u2019m signing, which leads me to procrastinate on my own music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TF: Finally, what still excites you most about drum &amp; bass right now, as a DJ, producer, and label owner?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> Big question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the same people who have excited me and inspired me since the beginning. People like DJ Die, Calibre, Break and DJ Marky. At the top of the game for 30 years and still leading the way and remained cool AF. Labels like MetalHeadz and V recordings for the same reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally &#8211; progression. Working with bucket list labels, bucket list bookings, etc. I\u2019ve always been in it for the long haul; it makes achieving goals even more meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Label wise &#8211; sharing new music and helping other people achieve their dreams and goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>What can we expect next from Melinki as a producer this year: new releases, collaborations, or a shift in direction?<br>MELINKI:<\/strong> Same direction. Same goal. Same steady pace and enjoying the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hopefully, more festival and club bookings and meeting new friends, fans and connections along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>TF: <\/strong>How do you see Four Corners Music fitting into the wider drum &amp; bass landscape over the next couple of years?<\/strong><br><strong>MELINKI:<\/strong> Without sounding arrogant, I don\u2019t want to fit in. I want to do what I love; if people enjoy that, then great. That\u2019s always been my ethos, and will never change. If I start trying to fit in or follow trends, I might not enjoy it. If I don\u2019t enjoy it, there\u2019s no point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s been a discussion around the length of this mix. Whether the TikTok generation has the attention span for it. I guess I want to be the antidote for that and cater to the people who really love this music as I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For more new music updates and reviews, keep up with&nbsp;TFword&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tf.word\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thefckingword\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/thefckingword\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You May Also Like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2026\/01\/19\/drum-bass-forecast-2026-and-the-road-ahead\/\">Drum &amp; Bass Forecast: 2026 and the Road Ahead<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2026\/02\/17\/dj-checklist-high-impact-bass-tracks-for-peak-time-sets\/\">DJ Checklist: High-Impact Bass Tracks for Peak-Time Sets<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2026\/02\/11\/wilkinson-announces-fifth-studio-album-infinity\/\">Wilkinson Announces Fifth Studio Album, \u2018INFINITY\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With an exciting chapter ahead for the drum &amp; bass selector\/producer and his label Four Corners Music, we sat down with Melinki to talk about his journey from shaping the identity of his imprint to refining his own sound, and how both continue to evolve in tandem as the next phase unfolds. Patience and perseverance<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2026\/02\/24\/melinki-talks-legacy-longevity-and-the-ever-changing-pulse-of-drum-bass\/\" title=\"Read More\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":184965152,"featured_media":87020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3014,4294],"tags":[4333,10660,10659],"coauthors":[5152],"class_list":["post-86778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-interviews","category-music","tag-drum-bass","tag-four-corners-music","tag-melinki"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/184965152"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86778"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87078,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86778\/revisions\/87078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86778"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=86778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}