ATLANTA, Ga. – On Saturday, May 14, Melvin “Mel-Man” Breeden shared feedback and advice based on his long and impressive music industry career with emerging artists as a panelist and talent competition judge at “Macy’s Faces of America: The Music Edition.” The event, held at Lenox Mall in Atlanta, Ga., celebrates America’s influence on music and culture and gives music industry hopefuls an opportunity to glean invaluable advice from experts and showcase their talent in front of a live audience for a chance to win prizes.

Rasheeda, rapper and star of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta,” Dina Marto, owner of Twelve Music & Studios and Ashley Banks, owner of Music Pro Live, also joined Mel-Man on the esteemed panel. CBS 46 news anchor Tracye Hutchins served as the panel’s moderator.

“It’s critical for new artists to have an opportunity to get unfiltered critiques and perspectives from experienced artists and music industry decision makers,” said Mr. Breeden. “It’s not an easy industry, and rejection is a big part of the journey. The best advice that I can give to any up and coming artist is to learn the importance of never accepting no for an answer. Resilience and determination are just as important as talent and marketability.”

Boasting more than two decades of music industry experience, Mel-Man has earned acclaim as a producer, composer, songwriter and music industry visionary. Since then, he has leveraged his business acumen, talent and keen instincts to launch the careers of numerous artists including Eminem, Pretty Ricky, Country music's newest star Kurt Thomas, Grammy Award winning gospel artist Canton Jones, FreeBandz-Maceo, reggae legend Buju Banton, Love & Hip Hop's Rasheeda and Gucci Mane, among others.

In 1998, Mel-Man Co- founded Big Cat Records, which was later hailed by [i]Billboard Magazine[/i] as one of the “Top Hip-Hop Labels of the Year”. The label is credited as being one of the most influential independent record labels in the South, helping to transform the hip-hop industry. Mel-Man followed up his success with Big Cat Records with the launch of Radar Live in 2012, which has raised the standard for all independent record labels. He continues to be a music industry force, helping to shape the futures of aspiring new artists.

For more information about Mel-Man, Big Cat Records or Radar Live, visit www.bigcatrecords.net www.RadarLive.us or follow Mel-Man on Twitter at @MelManMusic or @RadarRecordings.