Melissa Czarnik (Zar-nik) defies category with her genre blending approach to hip hop and spoken word. Her soulful and melodic flow captivates listeners with intricate lyricism and heartfelt storytelling with common themes such as feminism, struggle and love sprinkled throughout her work.

Czarnik has toured the U.S. and Europe fusing elements of soul, classical and emceeing, and has been a notable champion of women in Hip Hop. She has been a headlining performer at the Supafly (all female Hip Hop Collective) in Brussels, Belgium, a special guest on the WFMU Put the Needle on the Record “Women in Hip Hop” episode along with Jean Grae, and host of a workshop at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on the HerStory of Female Emcees for Women’s History Month. Her album, Non Merci (HMP, 2012) has earned her recognition from The Deli Magazine as one of New York City’s Best Emerging Artists, while NPR’s All Songs Considered hails her as a “Soulful, fluid rapper that has produced a surprising, potent and thoughtful mix of funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop.”

Press Quotes:

“It’s as surprising a pairing as it is effective…Hard-hitting and smooth at once.”    – Mike Levine,  Deli Magazine NYC

“A classic slice of socially-conscious hip hop that bodes well for the LP [Non Merci].”    – Amy Bell, The Girls Are

“Czarnik is a soulful, fluid rapper, backed by the five-piece Eric Mire Band. Together, they’ve produced a surprising, potent and thoughtful mix of funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop.”
– Robin Hilton, NPR,  All Songs Considered

“This incredible young rapper from Milwaukee had me under her spell from the first to last moments of her album… This girl is going all the way.”    – Chloe Veltman, VoiceBox, KALW 91.7FM

“With slammin’ poetry, precise beats, and DIY authenticity, Czarnik is an inspiration to young MC’s everywhere.”
– Claire Ashton, Bitch Magazine

“Her unique style is a powerful mix of singer songwriter Hip Hop combined with jazzy instrumentation by the Eric Mire Band. ‘Strawberry Cadillac’ is really one of my favorites.”
– Jeannette Petri,  Anattitude Magazine