DJ Lady Chellez, the New York radio and nightlife figure known offstage as Michelle Lynn Melendez, has died at 41. News of her passing surfaced on April 27; her family has not disclosed the cause of death.
Her loss has been felt across New York’s music community, where she spent more than two decades shaping shows, mixing records and mentoring younger talent on and off the air.
Michelle Lynn Melendez grew up in Queens after being born in Brooklyn and later graduated from Hunter College. She entered radio early, taking work at Power 105.1 that would lead to a long career behind the boards and behind the turntables.
From phone lines to prime-time radio
Melendez first handled calls and production duties for urban radio in New York before becoming the producer and board operator for the Ed Lover Morning Show in the early 2000s. She also performed as a DJ during those years, building a reputation in the city’s club circuit.
Across her career she moved between major outlets and platforms, including stints at SiriusXM and a hosting role on Hot 97’s Ladies Night. More recently she contributed production work to the Ebro Show and to Rap Life Radio on Apple Music.
- Early 2000s: Phone operator and producer roles at Power 105.1; producer for the Ed Lover Morning Show.
- Mid-career: DJ sets across New York nightlife and regular appearances on Hot 97 programming.
- Later work: Contributions to SiriusXM and production credits on Apple Music shows.
- Collaborations: Worked with artists including Q‑Tip, Bodega Bamz and Nina Sky.
How colleagues remember her
In an obituary shared by her family, Melendez was recalled as someone whose energy lifted people around her: a warm laugh, a bright smile and an easy sense of humor that made rooms feel smaller in the best way. Friends said she had a knack for making people feel welcome with a casual greeting and quick wit.
The family asked that people remember her voice — the offhand jokes and memorable expressions she used — and said she put joy at the center of her life, sharing it widely with friends and audiences.
Tributes from the music community
Rapper and producer DJ Tony Touch publicly paid tribute via Instagram, reflecting on a relationship that began in the 1990s and stretched across decades. He described collaborating with Melendez on early mixtapes and recalled her work answering phones at Power 105.1; he said they remained close through many of life’s changes.
Other radio colleagues and artists have posted remembrances on social channels and radio pages, noting both her on-air professionalism and her role as a fixture in New York nightlife.
At this time, the family has not provided further details about the circumstances of her death. Plans for memorial events or public services have not been announced.
Her passing marks the loss of a visible supporter of the city’s radio scene—someone equally at home behind a console as she was leading a room—and has prompted an outpouring of memories from listeners and peers who say her presence made New York’s soundscape richer.
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