Before Mello Music Group existed, there were Mello Mixtapes. They were a collection of the new music featuring local artists we wanted to show support for and exclusives we were beginning to build. We put together cover art, mixed the tracks, and burnt them on CD-Rs. Then, we went around the city getting them in people’s hands. While listening to so much new music and trying to find my place in Hip-hop, it was a creative outlet.

Years later, the first official Mello Music Group compilation, “Helpless Dreamer,” was a way to continue that passion while the business of running a label began to take up more of our time. Creating the Mello compilation allowed me a chance to look for beats, imagine collaborations, curate a cohesive sound, and create artwork. The intention was to highlight the artists on the label but also bring attention to those we were working with or hoped to work with. The compilation became a perfect way to reach out to new artists and create new music with our team.

At the time of “Helpless Dreamer” we had Oddisee, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kenn Starr, Diamond District, yU, Has-Lo, and Apollo Brown on the team. We brought in Roc Marciano to do the title track with Apollo Brown and Oddisee’s friend Tranqill from the UK. The song “Don’t Sleep” was one of the first tracks we ever created as a label. It featured Black Milk production paired with fellow Detroit artists Invincible and Finale. DC’s yU also showcased his group, “The 1978ers” with Slimkat, for the track “This Is It.” Putting the record together was one of the true pleasures of running a label and the end result combined instrumentals, new tracks, and collaborations with respected artists.

It’s special to release “Helpless Dreamer” for the first time on vinyl for our 10th Anniversary Audiophile Series. The original cover artwork was created by Kansas City standout artist Aaron Sutton of Visual Goodies. For this special edition, Aaron has allowed us to include an additional piece of his titled “Spirit Line” for the inside of the gatefold.