Mélat’s powerful voice immediately commands attention. She was born in Austin and is a graduate of Cedar Park High School, but her upbringing was far from typical. Her parents, both immigrants of Ethiopia, had to flee their home country in the dead of night. Influenced by her cultural upbringing (her parents still speak their native language, Amharic) and her father’s love of American R&B, Mélat has found a voice and style all her own, and her talent has gained her more and more attention. Her new album Move Me II: The Present, is an intimate and fully realized collection of soulful R&B.

 – Jeff McCord, KUTX Music Director