Every now and then you stumble across something very special.  Sometimes that discovery is so special that you find yourself suddenly responsible for sharing it with everyone else.  Today that moment was sparked by Mr. Jason Medeiros, more commonly known as Mr. J of The Procussions, with the music video from his new single “Hold On” (download the mp3 here).  Directed by Arthur “King” Estienne (Nike, Canal +, Just for Kicks), “Hold On” also features the vocals of Tara Ellis.  Get ready, because I’m about to put you onto something nice.

The video is shot in a playful stop-motion fashion that has the feel of a Michel Gondry piece.  If you’re unfamiliar with the name Arthur King, he is mostly known for his animation and graphic work on the Just for Kicks documentary, his music videos for French rap group Hocus Pocus, and graphic work with a diverse group of clients including Nike, Rolling Stone Magazine, Def Jam Records, Virgin Records, and more.  For those who are LA locals, you might recognize shots of Santa Monica Pier and the Los Angeles skyline.  The video is simple, short, and sweet.

Mr. J is one of those talents that makes you stop and wonder why more people aren’t talking about his work.  Then you remember that the general public no longer appreciates good hip hop.  Many may be familiar with Mr. J’s role in alternative hip hop group The Procussions, who toured with the likes of The Roots, Talib Kweli, and A Tribe Called Quest.  ”Hold On” is the first single off his latest project ““Friends Enemies Apples Apples” which is set to drop in September.  Plenty of anticipation has been brewing for this LP in the underground community, who have been eagerly waiting for more since his debut solo album, “Of Gods And Girls” (most still don’t realize he recently released a small project with Boonie Mayfield called “The Art of Broken Glass;” also not to be missed).

His lyricism holds more similarity to that of a poet than an entertainer.  His wit is quick and his tongue is sharp.  He has a flow that moves both smooth and hard, backed by an energy you can hear behind every syllable and consonant.  In an anemic industry where each song is sounding more and more contrived and artificial, Mr. J is a breath of fresh air.

Please don’t stop, Mr. J. Medeiros.  Hip hop needs more artists like you.  Hell, music needs more artists that take pride in their craft like you.  In times like these it seems easier to lose the dream, but things can change.  

Just keep holding on.

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Official Mr. J. Medeiros Website

Download “Hold On” video in Quicktime here.

Download “Hold On” mp3 here.

via Caleb, 17 July 2009 10:00am | 5 |