Yonas Mellesse, known by the stage name YONAS, is an American hip hop artist from New York City.Heard, Nailah (July 2018). "YONAS discusses new album 'About Time' and prospering as an independent artist", Rolling Out. He has released four albums, The Proven Theory (2011), The Transition Deluxe (2013), About Time (2018), and The Kid from Morris Heights (2022), as well as several EPs and mixtapes.
Career In 2009, Yonas released his first EP, New Golden Era, independently, winning a Billboard Songwriting Award for his single "Banga"., Ourstage, June 17, 2009. A year later he released his first mixtape, produced by Sean Ross, entitled I Am Us. In 2011 he released his first album on iTunes, The Proven Theory. The music video for his single "Shy Kidz" was featured on MTVu and Fuse TV on Demand, after he won an audience vote in a contest for independent artists."The Freshmen: You Pick The Video That Gets On Air", mtvU, October 18, 2011.
His next mixtape, The Transition, was released in 2012. It was downloaded 70,000 times in the first two months. Yonas was featured as a Breakout artist in XXL magazine in June 2012."The Break Presents: YONAS", XXL Magazine, June 11, 2012. Yonas performed a 50-city nationwide tour in the fall of 2012, opening for Aer."David Dallas to Tour USA with Aer and Yonas on Aer's 'The Brightside Tour'" , New Zealand Music Commission, July 18, 2012. Yonas has performed with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Wale, Juicy J, Timeflies, Gorilla Zoe, The White Panda, and Logic."Underground NYC Rapper Yonas Talks Tupac, Making Mom Proud",Fuse TV, October 4, 2012.
His music video "Fall Back" appeared in the motion picture, The Place Beyond the Pines (2012). His EP The Black Canvas, released on February 4, 2013, reached no.4 on iTunes Hip-Hop/ Rap charts and no.25 on the iTunes overall album chart."YONAS- The Black Canvas" , February 4, 2013.
Personal life Yonas is married to Shaelyn Mellesse.Moss, Gabrielle (June 2018). "Our Under-$15K Surprise Wedding: Shaelyn Mellesse & Yonas Mellesse", Bustle. Their daughter was born on March 3, 2018.Centeno, Tony (May 10, 2018). "Premiere: YONAS Defends His Growing “Legacy” In New Club Banger", Vibe.
Discography Albums The Proven Theory (2011) The Transition Deluxe (2013) About Time (2018) The Kid from Morris Heights (2022)
EPs The New Golden Era (2010) The Black Canvas (2013) Going Places (2015) Everyday Like It's Friday (2016)
Mixtapes I Am Us (2010) The Transition (2012) The Transition 2: Bright Lights, Big City (2013)
Music videos
Title Year Director "I Could" 2010 Betterdays Media "Shy Kidz" 2011 Betterdays Media "Pumped Up Kicks" "Fall Back" "The Transition" 2012 Betterdays Media "Don't Give A Damn" "Girls of Summer" 2013 Betterdays Media "Rollercoaster (feat. OCD: Moosh & Twist)" 2013 Betterdays Media "Leaving You" 2014 Jakob Owens "4AM" 2015 Nick Marfing & Cory Hammon of Altamira Film Co. "Blank Space (Remix)" 2015 Jonnie Baker "Centuries (Remix)" 2015 Nick Marfing & Cory Hammon of Altamira Film Co. "Take Me To Church (Remix)" 2015 Nick Marfing & Cory Hammon of Altamira Film Co. "Uptown Funk (Remix)" 2015 Nick Marfing, Cory Hammon & Matt Lohmann of Altamira Film Co. "Live It Up" 2015 Jakob Owens "Night Is Young" 2015 Hunter Lyon "Hello (feat. Living In Fiction)" 2015 Mike Squires "Summertime Luv" 2016 Mike Squires "Roll One Up (feat. Roscoe Dash & Sammy Adams)" 2016 Mike Squires "Photo" 2017 Mike Squires "I'm Good (feat. XV)" 2017 Mike Squires "You F#cked Up " 2017 Mike Squires
References
External links Official website