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  Median Interview
interview 0489 added 17.12.06 words: Rish
technical:
Spoon
His name may be Median, but he’s far from average. First garnering widespread attention on “Shorty On The Lookout”, my favourite track on one of my favourite albums - Little Brother’s “The Listening”--I knew Median was one to look out for. A little over a year later, he followed suit with three features on the refreshing “Connected” by his Justus League brethren Phonte Coleman; and the Netherlands’s now-acclaimed producer Nicolay, including the track “All That You Are”, which, once again, was my favourite track on the album.
 2005 finally saw the release of his solo debut “The Path To Relief EP”. With high-quality tracks such as “Visionary” and “Median Alleviates The Drama”, he soon became a fan favourite. With only a limited original pressing, Beathut have re-released "The Path To Relief EP” as they have done with Cesar Comanche’s “Wooden Nickels”. This has only served to leave Median’s new international audience anticipating a full-length, which should be dropping in the first quarter of the New Year on Halftooth Records, who he signed with over the summer.
This interview somehow got lost in the matrix for a couple of months--in the meantime, Median has featured on the track “Back At It Again” from the new Kenn Starr LP “Starr Status”, which, you guessed it, is my favourite track on the album.
Read on to find out what it’s like working with 9th Wonder, why Median signed with Halftooth, how his studies and travels have influenced his music and a whole bunch more…
 What’s up Median? Can you start off by introducing yourself to our readers please?
What up world!? This is Median, Justus League representative! From NC to the world and back, 360 degrees!
How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard you before, and why do you think people should go and check you out?
I would describe my music as reality Hip Hop, yet full of imagination, style, and originality; tailored from the maker to fit the listener's needs, audio food for the soul!
You’ve recently re-released “The Path To Relief EP”. When did it come out originally and why have you decided to re-release it?
I originally released "The Path To Relief EP" in February of 2005. I put it out myself and got it distributed in as many places as I could. I decided to re-release it because Beathut presented me with the opportunity to reach a larger audience abroad.
Did you plan to make an EP (as opposed to an LP) before starting on the project? Or did you just have a handful of tracks that gelled together into a cohesive product--and didn’t feel the need to extend it?
Most of the songs on the EP were originally going to be on "Median's Relief"
the LP, but the songs were already all over the internet and were getting
older by the day, so I decided to just put them out myself and record new
material for "Median's Relief".
Justus League releases usually have an abundance of features. On “The Path To Relief EP”, a chorus courtesy of Phonte is the only vocal addition. Is this because you like to be in full control of what’s said in your music, or was it more a matter of circumstance?
 It was just the circumstance. I put together the EP using the best, most cohesive songs that I felt portrayed the statement that I was trying to make for "The Path To Relief".
9th Wonder provided a lot of the beats for the EP. What’s your relationship like with him when recording? I know he can be very hands-on. Murs said he wouldn’t let him adlib as his voice is already strong enough. Does he have a heavy influence on your music or is he more laissez-faire with you?
It is always a learning experience working with 9th. He always has an idea about what will work over the production that he makes; a good artist, such as myself, will usually just push those limits to combine for a creative collaboration. I am constantly trying new things when I record. 9th has a good suggestive ear, and he will let me know what he thinks works and doesn't work on a track.
Were the bonus tracks recorded specifically for the re-release, or were they just some dope tracks that you thought needed a home?
The two bonus tracks definitely needed a home. They were created during the same time frame as most of the other tracks from "The Path To Relief."
Why do you think people should go out and buy “The Path To Relief (Revisited)”?
"The Path To Relief (Revisited)" is a dope album. If you never got your hands on one of the limited circulations of "The Path To Relief EP", then “Revisited” is a must buy. “Revisited” is some of my best work, and some of the best work from the Justus League camp, for that matter.
Will this be the last release before the album? Or will there be a mix tape to get people ready?
I am still contemplating whether or not I will release a mix tape before the
album.
 Recently you signed to Halftooth Records. Why did you feel they were the right home for you and why didn’t you opt for the Hall Of Justus?
I decided to branch out to Halftooth records instead of running with the Hall of Justus for a number of reasons. The two camps had already had various collaborative efforts. There are definitely similarities in the genres of music that we create. I was also interested in getting more attention for my project than I felt I would be able to access at HOJ, since they already have such a full roster of talent. I felt like running with Halftooth would also broaden the fan base and allow me to reach more supporters.
Your album will be dropping on Halftooth. When can we expect it?
You can expect "Median's Relief" sometime in the first quarter [of 2007].
Will there be any collaborations with label mates Ken Strarr, Wordsworth and Oddisee?
You will have to wait and see who is featured and producing on the project.
Moving away from the album and going back a bit: You became a member of the Justus League while in university. What were you studying, and did your course have any influence on the subjects you rap about?
I have a degree in Africana studies from NC State. My whole college experience has a heavy influence on my music. Not just the classes, but the people I met, the travels that school allowed me to make; everything.
Yeah, you went out to California as part of an exchange programme. Did this new environment influence your music at all, seeing as the West Coast obviously has a different sound to North Carolina?
When I was out in Cali, I got a chance to be away from everyone and everything I
knew, and as a result, I was able to grow personally, without familiar outside influences. It was like being on vacation for a school year.
 And then you went to Ghana. What was this for? Was it another study exchange? Once again did the firsthand experience of a new culture influence your music? Or even you as a person?
I went to Ghana through NC State's independent studies program, for a summer. New experiences definitely broaden your horizons and expand your worldview; being exposed to new people, places, cultural differences etcetera. I am definitely a changed man, as a result.
It’s been quite a while since you joined the League back in college. How come you’ve only had one release since then, compared to Little Brother for example, who’ve had two albums, two mixtapes and then each member’s had a side a project?
Everyone works at different speeds. The life that I chose for myself, has afforded me the opportunity to make the amount of music that I have made. Also, as of right now, music is not earring me enough money to do it solely as a profession, and still live the quality of life that I am accustomed to living. I spend most of my time working to support myself and my family in the meantime.
You and The Justus League came up through the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill). I had the original “The Path To Relief EP”, all the way over here in England. Considering you’ve had no major backing, what do you attribute such a far-reaching influence to?
I know that the Internet was a major tool that attributed to our far-reaching influence. There are a lot of message boards where the people (fans) helped to create our buzz, and they are still spreading our music everyday.
You’ve made a lot of guest appearances, especially on fellow JL releases. Do you think this has helped with getting your name out?
Guest appearances always help to get your name out if the music is good. I always try to say something on a feature that catches the listener's attention and makes them remember me.
Now that you’re on Halftooth, how far do you think the album can go when it comes out?
The sky's the limit. I will definitely have better promotion and distribution than I could have ever gotten by myself. I have also grown musically, so those forces that attract people to my music are even stronger on "Median's Relief". I can't wait to see 'what it do'.
 Can you fill us in on any Halftooth gossip? Any news on a Wordsworth, Punch and Masta Ace album?
I will leave the gossip to the bitches!
Is there anything else you’d like to reveal before we finish up?
Median’s Relief is coming soon!
Any shout outs or plugs?
I would like to thank the fans supporting me, the Justus League, and Halftooth.
Thanks for your time.
Once again, UKHH brings you that North Carolina heat (that’s not a basketball team by the way). You can pick up “The Path To Relief EP (Revisited)” from ishiphop.com, as well as Cesar Comanche’s “Wooden Nickels (Revisited)”. Also, be on the lookout for Cesar and Supastition playing a London date in early December. “Median’s Relief” shouldn’t be too long now either – I’m not too concerned that Median wouldn’t divulge any features or producers; he’s signed to Halftooth and is part of the Justus League, so I can only assume that the beats and any guests wont disappoint...
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Rish
 
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