Joe Melendrez
“I rap what is real to me and God is very real to me. My spiritual poetry is my prayer. It is my way of connecting with God and expressing an energetic message of faith, hope, and love for God’s children.”
Joe Melendrez
JOE
Born in San Antonio, Texas where he and his younger brother Bono were raised by his father Sonny and his mother Linda, Joe attended Catholic schools, but it was not until a teen A.C.T.S (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) retreat in 2001 that he realized the power of God in his life and the call God had for Joe to serve.
Joe was moved to experiment with different forms of outreach from spiritual retreat facilitation to creating an award-winning rap for the Mexican restaurant, Chipotle in College. This award-winning rap provided a burrito bounty, which propelled Joe to start a meal ministry. From college students to the homeless, Joe used this “soul food” to bring faith, relationships and aspirations into the conversation.
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ROSARY RAP
With the momentum from his Chipotle win Joe decided to rejuvenate an idea that came to light during an A.C.T.S. retreat he led in 2002. The idea was “Rosary Rap”. Melendrez wanted to create a way for all, especially the youth, to pray the rosary and embrace this powerful meditation.
In 2008 the debut Rosary Rap CD was released. The hip-hop beats and rosary raps take the listener through the entire rosary including the joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous mysteries. Rosary Rap continues to inspire people and help them understand that through the intercession of Mary, we grow closer to the heart of her Son.
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RETREATS
Soon after graduating with a B.A. in Religious Studies from University of Dayton in 2008, Joe’s faith journey took him to Southern California where he currently ministers as a Pastoral Associate at Chaminade High School and Middle School. Melendrez’s work allows him to lead and administer spiritual, relevant, highly interactive, environmentally stimulating and technologically advanced retreats.
Most recently, his efforts have served the needs of confirmation programs, elementary school students, youth groups, and other Catholic schools. Retreats give Melendrez the opportunity to inspire and develop the faith of youth in a more intimate setting. Joe is eager and excited to continue his retreat work with parishes and schools from all over and is continually looking for opportunities to serve and meet the needs of other communities.
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FULLY ALIVE
Released in early 2011, Joe’s second album FULLY ALIVE is a matured form of Christian hip-hop. The scripturally inspired and sacramentally based album touches on topics from Baptism to Forgiveness, to Christ’s Return with the goal of helping others to live a life FULLY ALIVE in Christ. This album also features incredible new artists The Strange Familiar, KnuERA, “&E” Dufresne, BJSR, Kristin Firestone, BEEF and more! FULLY ALIVE continues to fuel Joe’s spiritual mission especially through his energizing concert experiences.
Joe’s music has helped transform audiences worldwide including Madrid, Spain at World Youth Day 2011 where Joe performed for Pope Benedict XVI. Joe has been featured in USA Today, the National Catholic Reporter, National Public Radio, and several other online publications.
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“I am honored to participate in a ‘revolution of prayer’ that will fearlessly allow others to embrace the real love of God.”
Joe Melendrez
