Mello-D & the Rados, led by Darnley "Mello-D" Hodge, is a hip-hop band based in the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area. Founded in the mid-'90s, the group released its debut album, Backsliding, on Thermite Records in 1998. 2001's The Ultimate Truth featured the breakout single "Keep On." European and South American tours followed. The band returned in 2004 with Antitainment, earning airplay for the single "Cool Witchu." ~ William Ruhlmann