Mr J Medeiros 'Of gods and girls' album

In 1997, Mr. J Medeiros co-founded hip hop’s heroic underdog group, The Procussions, launching their 10-year journey to indie success; touring the globe three times over, travelling with A Tribe Called Quest, collaborating with Talib Kweli, and receiving critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Complex and URB. The Procussions have released two LP’s; 2003’s As Iron Sharpens Iron and sophomore LP, 5 Sparrows For 2 Cents, on Rawkus Records.

Mr. J Medeiros has always been passionate and honest with his lyrics (i.e. The Procussions’ “The Storm” and “Little People”), but with his solo-debut, Of gods and girls, (which will be released on 7-24-07) Mr. J displays veteran emcee versatility, substance and style, as he really opens up to discuss topics few artists have the depth to talk about. His single and video for “Constance” has spread like wildfire on Youtube, as it tackles the taboo topic of human trafficking in the Philippines. “Constance” was subsequently featured on CBS Evening News for its exposé on human trafficking and internet pornography.

Numerous artists talk about saving the world, but Mr. J practices what he preaches by devoting a great deal of his time to special interest activities. He has served in Americorps NCCC, worked in a High School with special needs students, worked with a community outreach program that fights for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities, served as a volunteer fighter-fighter, helped build homes with “Habitat For Humanity” and has recently built a partnership with iamcoming.org; a non-profit, anti-human trafficking organization.

Further illustrating his growth as an artist, Mr. J handles the bulk of the production himself, including the incredible “Keep Pace,” “Silent Earth,” and his ode to his mother and father’s unconditional love on “Call You.” Of gods and girls finds Mr. J rekindling his chemistry with Procussions members Rez, who joins Strange Fruit on the Illmind (of G-Unit fame) produced “Change”, and Stro the 89th Key, who produces “Strangers” and “Honest Man’s Hustle.” Long-time friend, Pigeon John assists on “Money” an anthem for those with checking account woes. Although complimented by top-notch guests, J carries the weight of this album on his own shoulders, delivering stimulating dialogue from track to track and showing a glimpse of humor amidst an honest and sober dose of reality. Mr. J comments, “a lot of these songs were written at a time when I was broke and when I felt truly alone. Of gods and girls stems from that. It’s very personal.”

Rawkus Records’ Co-founder Jarret Meyer waxes passionately about Mr. J Medeiros and what he brings to the label as an artist, stating, “In terms of content and artistry, Mr J. ranks among the top artists I have had the pleasure of working with. But, what separates Mr J. as an individual is an unrelenting DIY punk spirit. He is definitely a career artist who will continue to make a big impact on music and culture.”

biography
Rap music can either be really hard or hardly real. Mr. J. Medeiros is living a life drenched in reality and writing lyrics that reflect it. With East-coast b-boy roots since the age of 5, it was a unlikely that J found his calling in the fledgling hip hop scene of Colorado Springs. Making the most of the college radio station, winning local MCee battles, building his breaking crew, DJing events and writing graffiti in the Rocky Mountain town eventually sent J on his career path. He jump-started a record label with friends, and moved to Los Angeles, with his group The Procussions.

Mr. J has always had a passion to help people, and has devoted years of his life serving in AmeriCorps, the Presidentially honored service organization, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and caring for people with mental disabilities. “In working with people with developmental disabilities I really started to understand the shallow ways that we as society communicate and interact,” begins the MC. “"...so many people live their lives in corners because they either can’t or won’t subscribe to the ideals of materialism and superficial beauty.” These experiences helped Medeiros find his calling to share this reality to others.

Medeiros has made himself an ally to many causes through his music. He reveals his passion for women’s issues, with songs like “Constance”, which tells the story of a girl trapped in the taboo world of child pornography and human trafficking. The song’s lyrics are aggressive and bold, "It’s not illegal to use raping as a cash crop / As long as it says she’s 18 on your laptop.” Medeiros knows he’s going against the grain. "A large part of hip-hop's identity has been formed through a consistent disregard to a women’s civil rights." declares J.

This altruistic attitude in Medeiros’ music touches on many other issues from alcoholism to autism to self-esteem issues. “There aren’t a lot of traditional issues that I talk about. I try to make music in a form to where people can take it as their own, instead of just talking about my experiences,” says the thoughtful artist. “As soon as it leaves my mouth, it’s no longer my music.”

Medeiros has been making music for other people for over nine years with the LA based trio, The Procussions. They earned their stripes by playing to over 150 crowds per year with a critically acclaimed live show. Performances paved the way for the success of 2003’s independent, As Iron Sharpens Iron, and attracted legendary independent hip-hop imprint Rawkus Records to sign the group and release 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents in 2006. This gave Medeiros a chance to develop his artistry while sharing the stage with hip hop greats such as The Roots, Big Daddy Kane, Talib Kweli, and A Tribe Called Quest.

The experiences helped Medeiros unveil the album he had been writing and producing since 2004, Of gods and girls. “It’s pretty personal,” says J. "Most of the album is about what we (I) make gods out of, the idea's men have about women and how those two interact in both a dangerous and beautiful way...there is a focus on women in this album with a hope that in mans recognition of woman as an equal we will be creating safer environments for women in what, for the most part, has been a "mans" world...hiphop." Although introspective, the inspiring time was not a pleasurable to the MC. J wrote Of gods and girls while sleeping on friends couches between tours, without health insurance or a consistent income. “It was a sense of loneliness, it was a sense of being broke,” admits J. “In retrospect, it wasn’t that bad. I didn’t have a car, but I did have a roof over my head, and I had food.”

Putting things in perspective, Medeiros, from a better place today, can appreciate the art born out of the struggle. His undying commitment to his goals found him the opportunity to create HyDef Laboratories, his own record label, and partner with Rawkus to release Of gods and girls in July 2007. Rawkus co-founder Brian Brater speaks passionately about J, “Sometimes I look at what Mr. J. is accomplishing and I think this guy will be Rawkus’ biggest star EVER. His point of view, and his message on Of gods and girls is as relevant as timely as Mos Def and Kweli’s Blackstar vision in 1998.” If his talents have been used as a gift to others, this would be J’s biggest reward. Humbled yet determined, Mr. J. Medeiros sums up his goal, “I want my music to speak with dignity and inspire social change.”
-Written by Paine

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Mr J Medeiros - Of gods and girls