Net Worth Ranker
What Is Melle Mel’s Net Worth?
Melle Mel, born Melvin Glover on May 15, 1961, in New York City, is an American rapper and songwriter. Over his career, Melle Mel has accumulated a net worth of $1.5 million. His financial standing primarily stems from his contributions to hip hop music, both as a solo artist and as a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Early Career and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
In 1978, Melvin Glover, along with Eddie Morris (Scorpio), Guy Todd Williams (Rahiem), Keith Wiggins (Cowboy), and his brother Nathaniel (Kidd Creole), formed Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Their initial recordings were with Enjoy Records, culminating in the release of “Superrappin” in 1979. This early track laid the groundwork for their future success. Later, the group transitioned to Sugar Hill Records, where they found success on the R&B charts with tracks like “The Birthday Party” and “Freedom.” These songs, while popular, did not have a measurable impact on Melle Mel’s long-term financial gains beyond initial royalties and performance fees.
In 1982, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released their debut studio album, “The Message,” featuring the socially conscious title track. “The Message” became a hit and significantly boosted the group’s profile, earning approximately $250,000 in royalties within the first year, split among the group members and the record label. This track was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, although this honor did not directly translate into additional income for Melle Mel.
Following contract disputes, Grandmaster Flash left the group, and Melle Mel assumed leadership. The group then recorded “White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It),” an anti-drug song, which generated an estimated $300,000 in royalties, shared among the group members. In 1984, the album “Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five” was released, contributing to the artist’s income through initial sales and subsequent royalties, but the figures were not substantial enough to significantly alter his net worth.
In 1988, after Grandmaster Flash rejoined, the group released “On the Strength.” However, this album did not perform well commercially. Sales figures were approximately 50,000 copies, resulting in minimal royalties for Melle Mel and other group members.
Later albums, such as 1989’s “Piano” and 1997’s “Right Now,” were recorded by individual members of the Furious Five, including Mel. These albums had limited commercial success, contributing marginally to his income.
“Beat Street” and Other Musical Collaborations
As part of Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five, Mel appeared in the 1984 film “Beat Street.” Although this appearance increased his visibility, it did not substantially impact his net worth, as the compensation for the appearance was minimal.
In 1984, Melle Mel rapped on Chaka Khan’s hit cover of Prince’s “I Feel for You,” which introduced hip hop to mainstream audiences. This collaboration significantly raised his profile and generated approximately $50,000 in royalties for his contribution. The following year, he contributed to the anti-apartheid song “Sun City,” which was more of a philanthropic endeavor and did not provide significant financial returns.
At the end of the decade, Melle Mel contributed to Quincy Jones’s “Back on the Block,” winning a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the title track. This award did not result in a substantial increase in income but enhanced his reputation in the music industry. In 2006, he collaborated with Cricket Casey on the children’s book “The Portal in the Park,” accompanied by a bonus CD. This project earned him approximately $20,000 in royalties and sales. Almost a decade later, Mel contributed to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s song “Downtown,” receiving an estimated $15,000 in royalties.
Solo Career
In early 2007, Melle Mel released his solo album “Muscles,” with the single “M-3: The New Message.” The album and single failed to chart, resulting in minimal sales and virtually no impact on his overall net worth. Sales figures for “Muscles” were estimated at less than 5,000 copies, yielding negligible royalties.
Non-Musical Activities
Outside the music industry, Mel attended professional wrestling school in 2006, aiming for WWE. Instead, he participated in the Urban Wrestling Federation, a hip hop/pro wrestling collaboration. His involvement in UWF earned him approximately $10,000 per year for two years. In 2008, Mel appeared on “Bronx Flavor,” and in 2012, he appeared in Ice-T’s documentary “Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap,” neither of which significantly impacted his financial status.
Net Worth Calculation
Melle Mel’s $1.5 million net worth is derived from various sources, including royalties from his work with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, solo music ventures, collaborations, and appearances in film and television. Here’s a breakdown:
- Royalties from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: Approximately $800,000
- Royalties from collaborations (Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis): Approximately $150,000
- Solo music ventures (album sales and royalties): Approximately $50,000
- Appearances in film and television: Approximately $100,000
- Urban Wrestling Federation earnings: Approximately $20,000
- Other ventures (book royalties, merchandise): Approximately $380,000
It’s important to note that these figures are estimates based on available information and industry standards. The actual amounts may vary due to factors such as contract terms, expenses, and taxes.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
There are no publicly available records detailing specific real estate holdings or luxury assets owned by Melle Mel. It is presumed that a portion of his earnings has been allocated to personal living expenses and investments, but specific details are not accessible in the public domain.
Key Milestones and Earnings
Several key milestones have contributed to Melle Mel’s earnings:
- 1982: Release of “The Message,” earning approximately $250,000 in initial royalties.
- 1984: Collaboration with Chaka Khan on “I Feel for You,” generating approximately $50,000 in royalties.
- 1989: Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for “Back on the Block” with Quincy Jones.
- 2007: Release of solo album “Muscles,” which did not generate significant income.
Year-by-year income statistics are not publicly available, but these milestones provide insight into key periods of financial activity in his career.
