Of gods and Girls, de Mr.J.Medeiros est l'opus du succès (instigateur de la carrière solo), un bijou de Hip Hop explicite, qui navigue à milles lieux du rap mainstream et qui vous entraîne sans effort dans son périple, détaillant chaque étape, chaque seconde d'une vie qui prend sens. Mr.J. distille avec talent sa touche versatile, sa substance et son style ouvrant le champ des possibles aux sujets de société pointus, face auxquels trop d'artistes sont à court de rimes. A l'occasion de l'inauguration de son site Internet et de la sortie très attendue de Saudade EX, son prochain album, LCT est allé se mêler de ses affaires à L.A.
LCT / First I want to thank you so much, you sacrifice your precious time for us and it's pretty huge! I discovered you as a solo artist after The Procussions ended and I was stuck by the way you bring newness to Hip Hop. So let's start this short interview. I hope you'll open your heart to your French public as you do in your songs.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I will do my best to answer your questions
When did the music become that obvious to you? What was the triggering factor at the beginning of your career? Do you envision music as a way out to a better life ?
I got hooked to Hip Hop music when I was about 8 years old. My babysitters
would come in with a boom-box and try to teach me to spin on my head (real safe huh? Ha), from then on I was hooked. I look back now and think it almost seems odd that I was so young and yet felt so close to the music. Makes me wonder if it had something to do with me searching for a father figure at the time, or needing some male presence in my life. Hip Hop offered a very masculine approach to music and song writing . I grew a confidence reciting the lyrics.
What are your main inspiring influences, your idol when you were a kid, RUN DMC ?
The first song I knew all the words to was "King of Rock" by RUN DMC and to me that says a lot.
In France many people know you thanks to the collaboration between The Procussions and Hocus Pocus. It was, in so many ways, the best Hip Hop featuring I ever heard this past decade (I'm talking like if I was a 60 years old hip hop producer... How funny is that?). It's pretty amazing to see how easily the Hip Hop can goes beyond the boarders. What seduced you in this musical collaboration? Any upcoming featuring we should expect ?
We first came to know Hocus Pocus on our first tour to France through our French manager Francois. Francois has a great ear for musicianship and thought that we would get a long well with them. We met Hocus Pocus in their hometown of Nantes and after watching them perform hearing their heart for Hip Hop, we knew that we were of the same mind. Working with them came naturally, We shared a lot of the same loves and hates in the industry and with the same passion. We hope to continue to make music together in light of us all being busier then before, so yes another collab is always in the works.
The reviews are pretty clear. People who didn't really liked The Procussions completely fall for your solo performances. How can you explain that? Have you ever felt yourself muzzled in The Procussions ?
I think The Procussions were just different. We saw the group as being of one mind and body rather then a union of three different people. So we placed the focus on what we all had in common. In our solo careers we are just that, solo- able to make the music with a 100% personal interest-without boundaries. I wouldn't say The Procussions music had a muzzle effect only because it was an agreement we made for the better to sound as we did, not a discipline.
From my novice point of view you're making a perfect balanced Hip Hop defying the EAST/WEST coast classic distinction. When I read your Bio I realized how your social activism has transformed your music, pacifying your lyrics and the way you managed your career. On the trackVocab! Featuring Hocus Pocus, you guys are basically claiming your legitimacy as storyteller. Hip Hop is a huge spot for the freedom of speech. What's pushing you to write ?
I think there is a hunger in my gut that pushes me to write and perform. It feels like the will to live. As if to express ones self is your call to life. To do something in reaction to all that you see, hear, touch, and eternally feel. I think everyone has their personal way to respond to such feelings, mine happens to be through music- more specifically (at least for now) Hip Hop. Where the social activism comes in to play is, I learned the only way for me to satisfy that hunger is to give something positive back-and by positive I mean honest.
Constance video clip has been banned by MTV. Do you feel that your social activism could be a brake to your career? On the contrary, it can be a terrific trademark, the guarantee of your own authenticity: "to speak with dignity and inspire social change." (I'm thinking about Saul William right now)... Do you agree ?
I think social activism "is" my career; it is why I do music- to be socially active. I don't believe that this is something you can break. If I wanted to just be famous then yes this could break my career. I also think its very dangerous to start thinking of yourself as being trademark-able. Human beings are much to complicated to become so understood in one way, one dimension. Gimmicks should be left for the advertising world.
Thanks again we wish you all the best for your career, we'll be listening your songs every step of the way.
Thank you very much for your interest in what I do !
LCT / First I want to thank you so much, you sacrifice your precious time for us and it's pretty huge! I discovered you as a solo artist after The Procussions ended and I was stuck by the way you bring newness to Hip Hop. So let's start this short interview. I hope you'll open your heart to your French public as you do in your songs.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I will do my best to answer your questions
When did the music become that obvious to you? What was the triggering factor at the beginning of your career? Do you envision music as a way out to a better life ?
I got hooked to Hip Hop music when I was about 8 years old. My babysitters
would come in with a boom-box and try to teach me to spin on my head (real safe huh? Ha), from then on I was hooked. I look back now and think it almost seems odd that I was so young and yet felt so close to the music. Makes me wonder if it had something to do with me searching for a father figure at the time, or needing some male presence in my life. Hip Hop offered a very masculine approach to music and song writing . I grew a confidence reciting the lyrics.
What are your main inspiring influences, your idol when you were a kid, RUN DMC ?
The first song I knew all the words to was "King of Rock" by RUN DMC and to me that says a lot.
In France many people know you thanks to the collaboration between The Procussions and Hocus Pocus. It was, in so many ways, the best Hip Hop featuring I ever heard this past decade (I'm talking like if I was a 60 years old hip hop producer... How funny is that?). It's pretty amazing to see how easily the Hip Hop can goes beyond the boarders. What seduced you in this musical collaboration? Any upcoming featuring we should expect ?
We first came to know Hocus Pocus on our first tour to France through our French manager Francois. Francois has a great ear for musicianship and thought that we would get a long well with them. We met Hocus Pocus in their hometown of Nantes and after watching them perform hearing their heart for Hip Hop, we knew that we were of the same mind. Working with them came naturally, We shared a lot of the same loves and hates in the industry and with the same passion. We hope to continue to make music together in light of us all being busier then before, so yes another collab is always in the works.
The reviews are pretty clear. People who didn't really liked The Procussions completely fall for your solo performances. How can you explain that? Have you ever felt yourself muzzled in The Procussions ?
I think The Procussions were just different. We saw the group as being of one mind and body rather then a union of three different people. So we placed the focus on what we all had in common. In our solo careers we are just that, solo- able to make the music with a 100% personal interest-without boundaries. I wouldn't say The Procussions music had a muzzle effect only because it was an agreement we made for the better to sound as we did, not a discipline.
From my novice point of view you're making a perfect balanced Hip Hop defying the EAST/WEST coast classic distinction. When I read your Bio I realized how your social activism has transformed your music, pacifying your lyrics and the way you managed your career. On the trackVocab! Featuring Hocus Pocus, you guys are basically claiming your legitimacy as storyteller. Hip Hop is a huge spot for the freedom of speech. What's pushing you to write ?
I think there is a hunger in my gut that pushes me to write and perform. It feels like the will to live. As if to express ones self is your call to life. To do something in reaction to all that you see, hear, touch, and eternally feel. I think everyone has their personal way to respond to such feelings, mine happens to be through music- more specifically (at least for now) Hip Hop. Where the social activism comes in to play is, I learned the only way for me to satisfy that hunger is to give something positive back-and by positive I mean honest.
Constance video clip has been banned by MTV. Do you feel that your social activism could be a brake to your career? On the contrary, it can be a terrific trademark, the guarantee of your own authenticity: "to speak with dignity and inspire social change." (I'm thinking about Saul William right now)... Do you agree ?
I think social activism "is" my career; it is why I do music- to be socially active. I don't believe that this is something you can break. If I wanted to just be famous then yes this could break my career. I also think its very dangerous to start thinking of yourself as being trademark-able. Human beings are much to complicated to become so understood in one way, one dimension. Gimmicks should be left for the advertising world.
Thanks again we wish you all the best for your career, we'll be listening your songs every step of the way.
Thank you very much for your interest in what I do !
3 commentaires:
This is s0 Inspiring!
Thanks for sharing your vision
(ah , ce savoureux rose saumon, j'y tiens tu sais)
"Of Gods and girls" is an awesome masterpiece of rap and Mr J Medeiros an truly honest hip hop lover. Thanks LCT for this good interview.
Is he preparing a new LP ?
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