Mell the Maker (formerly known as Yung Mell and later Professor S) is a producer, singer, rapper, and engineer from Minnesota. He first entered the scene in 2020 with his debut single, “Guud Times,” released under the name Yung Mell, quickly earning tens of thousands of streams. Between 2020 and 2022, Yung Mell dropped two full-length albums, establishing his sound and presence.
In 2023, he reinvented his artistry with Intergalactic, his first fully self-produced album, released under the moniker Professor S. Following its standout singles, “What I Want” and “Intergalactic,” Professor S went on to create dozens of instrumental-only albums, showcasing his production depth and experimental range.
By mid-2025, he unified his creative identities, Yung Mell’s lyricism and Professor S’s expansive production, into a single project: Mell the Maker.
With “Stay with Me” out now, we took some time to hear from Mell the Maker. Read below to learn more about Mell the Maker, the story behind “Stay with Me,” and what’s to come.
Hi Mell the Maker! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
I started making music in 2020 under the name “Yung Mell.” I picked this name because my sound was more mellow. Rather than strict rap music, I wanted my songs to resemble a synergy of various genres, in more of a mellow tone. Until 2023, I would mix and master my own songs, but I still didn’t produce my own stuff. So, in 2023, I started producing under the name “Professor S.” From 2023-2025, I essentially didn’t make any songs with vocals, but I created dozens of instrumental albums of various genres (ambient, EDM, hip-hop). In this time, I didn’t have space to set up a mic, so I couldn’t record vocals even if I wanted to. Anyways, in 2025, I moved and was able to set up a makeshift bedroom studio again. I thought of releasing under Yung Mell, but I didn’t think it fit anymore. Yung Mell was a rap/pop artist that used other beats; he didn’t have the freedom to do what he wanted to with production. So, I decided to make an upgrade –> Mell the Maker. Mell the Maker has the creative freedom in production, which allows my sound to mature and become more unique and what I want it to sound like.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m from Saint Paul, Minnesota, and I’m still based here.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
In summer 2020, I made my first song “Guud Times.” I found a beat on YouTube, wrote it, and then mixed it (not very good at first) on GarageBand. That summer I would get up extra early just to create more music. I had a buddy who has a bedroom studio, so I recorded a few more songs, and I slowly became increasingly hooked. Ever since, I’ve been involved with music.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My discography is a blend of experimental hip-hop, hyperpop, with occasional soft piano and string sung songs. However, I am not afraid of trying different genres. I release what I think sounds good to me.
What is your favorite song that you’ve created?
Well, I do like “Stay with Me,” but I don’t think I have a true favorite. I like “Bright Side” because it’s more of a positive anthem. I also like “Laying on the Floor” because it is likely my best softer string and piano track. It communicates a feeling of depression while also not giving up hope. I also like my track, “The Itch.” This track is a made-up conversion between a friend who wants to commit suicide and me telling him not to give in to “the itch.” However, again, this “itch” can be taken in different directions; for instance, this “itch” could refer to old toxic patterns or addictions. Lyrically, it may be my favorite. I do like all my songs though; none of them sound exactly alike, which is what I want.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Outside of music, I enjoy weightlifting and building different things. I stay creative by weightlifting, which sounds weird, but it allows my thoughts to flow, and it splits up my day nicely. Also, I think doing different pursuits, such as building something, will trigger different “creative muscles.”
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My main musical influences are Twenty-One Pilots, Bladee, Yung Lean, aldn, and Kanye West.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
This isn’t something I’ve thought about, but I would say simply the evolution of my sound. A lesson that I learned is that in any pursuit you shouldn’t focus on others so much, you, rather, should focus on bettering your own craft. While people may not rock with my sound, I am really happy with how I’ve grown and am excited to continue to grow!
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
The greatest lessons that I’ve learned are: 1. It might seem daunting to learn a new skill (i.e. music production), and it may take you a long time to become good at the new skill. However, it is so worthwhile to learn. Never stop learning. 2. Follow your instincts and don’t give up on something you want to do. I used to compete in weightlifting, and eventually, I did pretty well in it. However, it took a long time to get on the national podium. With enough time and drive, the impossible can become possible.
Now onto your release, “Stay with Me.” What inspired this song? What is “Stay with Me” about?
“Stay With Me” was inspired by a moment of contrast, finishing a college semester and feeling genuine relief and joy, while also realizing that personal struggles don’t disappear just because life feels good for a moment. The song lives in that tension. On the surface, there’s celebration and movement forward, reflected in lines like “And I wanna celebrate” and “I be laying by the bay.” But almost immediately, the song turns inward with lyrics such as “Put my phone on DND, focus on the sin I see,” acknowledging the quieter, ongoing battles beneath the happiness.
From a Christian perspective, the song explores how sin can create obstacles in faith, some obvious, like lust, and others more hidden, like pride. Lines directed toward God, such as “Needing you to give my sin a hearse,” express a desire not just for forgiveness, but for freedom from thoughts that linger and resurface. The repetition of the “DND” verse emphasizes how cyclical that struggle can feel.
As the song returns to celebration, “I be walking down the street, there’s white sand on my feet,” it mirrors the opening imagery and highlights the pattern I began to recognize: joy, reflection, struggle, and joy again. That realization leads to the repetitive refrain, “I be needing so much faith,” where repetition becomes a way of showing genuine dependence rather than doubt.
The closing lines are a direct conversation with God, acknowledging that even when things are going well, when it’s easiest to drift, it’s still essential to stay connected. While the song carries momentum and movement, the struggles never feel overpowering. I also kept the lyrics intentionally ambiguous, so listeners can project their own experiences onto the song and find their own meaning within that cycle.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Stay with Me?”
I think cover art resembles the atmosphere of the album. It hard to put into words, but I think it suits the tone of the song.
What was the creative process like when making “Stay with Me?”
So, I typically write lyrics on their own and then improvise once I complete the beat. I made the beat when I was inspired by different hyperpop artists. I let the thoughts and creativity flow to create a different sound. I personally really like how it turned out.
How long did it take to complete “Stay with Me?”
Well, I made the beat, wrote the lyrics, recorded the vocals, and mixed separately, so it’s hard to give an exact number. I would say around a few hours.
What do you hope fans take away from “Stay with Me” and your music in general?
I hope fans take away a sense of honesty and grounding from “Stay with Me” and my music as a whole. The song isn’t meant to offer a perfect resolution; it’s more about recognizing the cycles we all move through: moments of joy, moments of struggle, reflection, and growth. I want listeners to feel seen in that process, especially if they’ve experienced happiness that still carries weight underneath it. However, it is also simply a fun track to listen to.
More broadly, I hope my music creates space for people to slow down and sit with their thoughts without feeling overwhelmed by them. Even when my songs touch on struggle or faith, I want them to feel calm rather than heavy, like the problems are real, but they don’t define or control you. If someone walks away feeling a little more aware of themselves, a little more steady, in a better mood, or simply understood, then the music has done what I hoped it would.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
The next steps will simply be to get better at production and melody making. I don’t have any shows coming up, but I would like to start doing shows soon, at least by 2027.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Honestly, I don’t have social media. Simply, I cannot stand it. However, I know that I should have it. In the future, I may get it back, or a manager may post it for me.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
