Pro-mises of Pro-gress - J Medeiros
Mr. J. Medeiros (of the Procussions) talks to your favorite Lyrical Lounge interview queen about “hurt(ing) this pride, murder(ing) this ego”. Here’s a look inside the mind of a (Super)man who ain’t too proud to eat humble pie, just hold the milk - Angelica LeMinh
ALM: Rappelles-moi ton histoire avec la langue francaise….
Mr J: I am still learning French. I know just enough to keep the show going and some extra phrases to get around town. France was the first place I toured (with The Procussions) outside of the U.S. and that was 4 years ago. We go twice almost every year, in fact, I’m here now, about to finish about a 7 week tour…of France.
ALM: It’s not the usual course of action for a hiphopper to speak out on trafficked girls in the Philippines, what inspired “Constance” and what is the current status of the website/action?
Mr J:The song “Constance” was inspired by my inner conviction to work towards justice for so many people who live life under extreme acts of abuse. In our country it is said that 1 in 3 women will be molested in some way before the age of 18. This is an epidemic and I can’t help but think we are all connected to it in some way. The song put into motion our non-profit campaign iamconstance.org, which is a web-based community focused on raising awareness of this issue. People are able to read the Constance story, watch the video, find help, and share their story with others. It is an effort to show people they are not alone, an aid in the healing process. It has proven to be quite successful.
ALM: Hip hop seems to be reaching some kind of balance (plateau?) where the gap between richer and poorer (mainstream and underground) is getting smaller, can you speak about the space that you claim within the digression of the commercial and evolution from pot and pan beats? Is it all going down (or “dead”) or are we on the good foot?
Mr J: Hmm, Well, in all of this I try to focus on a couple of things. The first is the “who am I?” question and the second is the “what do I want to do?” question. When I have both of those answered, I go forward regardless of the climate of the industry.
ALM: Two Truths and a Lie.
Mr J: I am 5″4. I am an ex-boxer. I am half Scottish. I was in the Marines.
(I like when they give more, adds to the mystery*)
ALM: Producers like Puff (I refuse to call him Diddy) and Will.i.am obviously know their music, do they have some kind of responsibility to use it responsibly? What role do you think they play in keeping the cultural cannon relevant?
Mr J: I don’t think that producers should be void moral responsibility just because they makes beats and not rhymes. A song consists of both parts and to provide the backbeat to a song that perpetuates lethal stereotypes is irresponsible. However, they both do make some banging beats. Ha.
ALM: Kanye, 50, or you’re not drinking the Koolaid…
Mr J: Um, yeah, Koolaid stains your intestines.
ALM: What about folks who hate on “Electric Circus”, then go get J Dilla t-shirts printed up?
Mr J: “Electric Circus” is still one of my favorite albums of all time! This list also includes “Game Theory”. Some people are just afraid to let Hip Hop grow up.
ALM: And Common apologizing for “Electric Circus”? Following the release of “Be” with “Finding Forever” when he could have released “Electric Circus”-like album? Is it a copout to be consecutively executively produced by the Dropout?
Mr J: One of the saddest things I heard was that Common apologized for that incredible album. If that’s true well, I don’t know what to say. Musically it was just on some other other.
ALM: How much are you going to miss Hub’s bass solo? I heard he quit because them guys have basically been on tour constantly for what, twelve years? How much are you on tour? What are the pros and cons of the touring lifestyle?
Mr J: I’ll miss Hub’s swagger more. I’m on your ’round 150 days a year. The “pro” of it all, is that I love it, connecting with real people and making recorded music come alive. The “con” is that I miss my family, some aspects of “real life” and working out regularly.
ALM: Your favorite female emcee and why?
Mr J: Lauryn Hill, woman or not, she is an incredible song writer.
ALM: Indoor or outdoor shows?
Mr J: Indoor, always better sound.
ALM: Your thoughts on the presidential race.
Mr J: I wouldn’t mind seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger run for Pres.
ALM: For the “gods” question, are you religious?
Mr J: No, but I try my best to follow Jesus.
ALM: And of course, to finish with the “girls” part, tell me what gets you going about a woman.
Mr J: The social dance man and woman perform while trying to figure each other out.
At times, the man can get caught up in the Honest Man’s Hustle (”I’d rather be live and direct, but I’m dead and ambiguous”), but for to his principles, Mr J more often than not “stands firm like Al Sharpton’s perm”. Check for the man, the music, and the movement(s). Peace.
