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Median - And Just-Us For All
Interview by: Serge Fleury
 The beautiful thing about Hip-Hop is that no matter who’s contributing; they’re still able to bring whatever they do best to the table. When you hear artists such as The Game, Snoop Dogg, or Kurpt; there’s not doubt that they’re from the West Coast. Right now, there’s no denying the sounds coming out of Atlanta. Rhymefest, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Twista, and Kanye West always make sure their Chicago-twang is fully noticed. Lil’ Wayne and his Cash money affiliates are making sure Louisiana will never end up washed out. And even though New York isn’t at the top of the mountain, the birthplace of Hip-Hop is always in contention. But what about the regions that are lesser known for Hip-Hop? Just because [they] might be in a smaller market, is it right to count them off?
 Take for example, the state of North Carolina. The home of Michael Jordan’s beloved Tar Heels, and their rivals; The Duke Blue Devils. Now to a lot of people, that might be the only thing that rings a bell for them, when talking about the old confederate state. But to the Hip-Hop heads, North Carolina can only symbolize one thing to them, and that’s The Justus League. The super group that consists of; 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Cesar Comanche, The Away Team, Chaundon and many others now has their spot light set on Median. Born James Livingston, Median has helped put North Carolina back on the map along with his cohorts, (post Petey Pablo).
After appearing on Little Brother’s “The Listening”, he continued to keep people interested with guest spots on all other Justus League projects. After releasing his debut, an EP titled “The Path To Median”, he comes back with his first full length offering; “Median’s Relief.” The North Carolina native had chance to sit down with NobodySmiling.com and talk about; the creative direction of Hip-Hop, lyrics vs. beats, and exactly what his state brings to the table.
Nobodysmiling.com : How did you first get into Hip-Hop?
Median : Well Hip-Hop has always been a part of me, man. I was born the same year Hip-Hop was born, back in 1979. So from that point on, it was just all around, you know.
Nobodysmiling.com : So how did you first hook up with the Justus League?
Median : I had actually met 9th [Wonder] first. I had met him through a mutual friend of ours. And that friend basically brought me to a spot where 9th and another member of the Justus League were making beats, so then we just hooked up and recorded something that day. From there, we just kept in touch over the years. Then when 9th and [Cesar] Comanche finally decided to from The League, they asked me if I a wanted to be a part of it, and I was down. The rest is history.
Nobodysmiling.com : What can people expect from your album?
Median : It’s a colorful album. Very conceptual, so you’re definitely going to hear a lot of on-point and thought provoking lyrics. There is a lot of themes on there, and I do a lot of story telling. For those that are familiar with anything I’ve done, I just took that formula and stepped it up a little bit. I really elevated myself, and just gave people the best of what I bring to the table.
Nobodysmiling.com : I remember the first time I actually heard you. It was a feature off Big Pooh’s “Sleepers” album. You had a line where you were talking about smacking people with a sock. [Laughs]
Median : Oh yeah! You’re talking about my “Homie The Clown” referance. [Laughing]
Nobodysmiling.com : Yeah! That’s exactly what it was! [Laughing]
Nobodysmiling.com : How was the creative process like working with producers such as 9th Wonder, Khrysis, and Nicolay?
Median : When I was putting my project together, I was getting beats submitted from different producers. I pretty much put together the direction of the album myself, when I was recording it. I recorded most of it over at Comanche’s studio, so he engineered the sessions for most of the album. So as far as everything goes, I had more creative control on this particular project.
Nobodysmiling.com : How would you describe the current state of North Carolina Hip-Hop?
Median : I don’t know about any preconceived notions are; but right now we have a pretty good buzz as far as the music that The Justus League makes. But there is definitely different layers of Southern music and culture. Like you can see a lot of Atlanta is doing, but not too much of that has been associated with what North Carolina brings to the table Hip-Hop wise. Umm… I don’t know if I answered the question or not. [Laughing]
Nobodysmiling.com : [Laughing] It’s all-good…Have you ever thought about trying anything different to introduce yourself to a bigger audience?
Median : I always push. Not neccesarilly to reach a wider audience, but I always push myself to do more things creatively, when I make songs. I don’t ever want to make the same song twice, there’s always a particular formula that works for people. But as for me, I try to step it up. With that being said, I definitely reached out to different producers that have different sounds for this particular project. It definitely gave my music a different sound, which will probably stretch it out to a wider audience
Nobodysmiling.com : Do you think subject matter and lyricism are lost art forms in today’s Hip-Hop?
Median : I think it all depends on where you’re going, and what you’re really into. I think the creativity in Hip-Hop is definitely still there, as for the music itself; there’s a lot of people doing a lot of different things. But what gets the most coverage, might not be as creative as Hip-Hop in the past; but [those] artists are still available. The ones that can bring that creativity to the table, you just got to know where to look so you can find them.
Nobodysmiling.com : Do you ever get worried that people may listen more to your production, rather than your lyrical content?
Median : No not at all. I mean it does attract people to your album, and I’m defenitly apprecitative of that. But as for me, I do my own thing. And if you don’t know, then you’ll find that out soon enough. So that’s one of the things that I never really had to worry about.
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