Valley hip-hop artist’s message: Support the troops

By Jon Moffett

YOUNGSTOWN — You don’t have to support the war in Iraq to support the soldiers fighting. That’s the message in the latest song by local hip-hop artist Jason Melidona, known by fans and peers as Jay Mel.

The song is called “This Letter” and is an unbiased view of the war in Iraq from the perspective of a soldier, Melidona said. The song was inspired by conversations with his friend who fought in Iraq, he noted.

“One of my best friends was in Iraq,” Melidona said. “When he got back home he just sat down and laid everything out. He just explained to me everything.”

The 24-year-old Niles native helped transform the Trinity United Methodist Church on Front Street into a Hollywood-esque video shoot. Melidona, along with manager David O’Connor, made a music video for the song which the group hopes will be completed soon.

Steve Sparling, pastor of Trinity church, acknowledged that he gave the group permission because of the values and message of the song.

“I listened to the lyrics first, just to make sure everything was alright, and they were good,” the Rev. Mr. Sparling said. “They had good values in them and it had a good message to it. We might have as many different opinions within the church on what we ought to do or ought not to do, or where we ought to be and not ought to be, but the thing is we want to be with and for the people who are there.”