Median - The Path to Relief

Released: 2005
Revisited release: 2006

Out of everybody in the Justus League, apart from Little Brother of course, Median happens to be the most intriguing one. That's not to say everybody sucks, cos they actually don't. But Median seems like he's the only one that really has something to say, with such an enigmatic and interesting style added to it. I first heard the North Carolina rapper (born James Livingston) when I started listening to Little Brother, with him being the only rapping guest on their debut album The Listening. Moody appeared on the laidback standout "Shorty on the Lookout", where he traded bars with Phonte & Big Pooh, which really impressed me, as he was floating like it was nothing. His chemistry with Phonte also happens to be on another level, both trading bars effortlessly on "Eternally" (from Te's debut Charity Starts at Home) and "All That You Are" (off The Foreign Exchange's Connected).

Around that time Median appeared on The Listening, he was also working on his debut album, Median's Relief. A lot of songs meant for the album were found on Justus League mixtapes, including "Median Alleviates the Drama", "Comfortable" and "Give a Little Bit" with Joe Scudda. I found "M.A.D." on the 9th Wonder compilation Dream Merchant, Vol. 1, and I absolutely loved it. But with the features he was doing from 2003 to 2004, people were still awaiting Relief, wondering what was taking him long. So he dropped an EP to hold them over.

The Path to Relief happened to be a mini compilation of songs that were meant for his debut, most of which were previously released on these Justus League mixtapes. However, it was clear the album was taking long. Most fans have already heard majority of the songs from the mixtapes, therefore, no point of putting them on the actual album, so it was only right to make them into an entirely different project. According to Moody himself, the title didn't only refer to the "trials and tribulations it takes to create and successfully put out an album", but also trying to gain a broader network community. This is clear from the freestyle outro, produced by Khrysis, where he asks the listener to share this EP to 5 of their friends.
The original EP release features 8 tracks, and the revisited 2006 version has 2 bonus cuts. It was almost entirely produced by the one and only 9th Wonder, with only 2 songs having different contributors (the first track was produced by Eccentric, and the 8th produced by Khrysis).

Unlike the rest of the League, Median brings charisma to the table, with a calm delivery, carefree style and intriguing content. His style is more to the point where it's like he has his own slang, frequently using the word 'iddish' throughout his discography. From what I've read, that word is a pretty common slang term (probably more around North Carolina), but the way Moody uses the word makes it comes across like he made that up himself.
The intro, "Cool", says it all. Over an Eccentric rhythm, Median take us through a journey of how he sees himself, with lines like "Plain clothes, never accumulate it, lame foes/No games, stop playing, I don't even game hoes/His style and his actions explain them the most". Phonte appears on the song too, and is also the only guest on the album. However, he's demoted to hook duties instead of doing a verse with Moody. And his vocals are pretty good. Median ends the song with a key quote on the EP: "Changing Median, I'm feeling so Moody/I put the 'ool' in 'Cool', the cool is released/The cool is Relief". Median's nickname is Moody, which would later be confirmed on his actual album to be his alter ego, on the song "How Big is Your World?".

The content on The Path to Relief is actually the best part, surprisingly, which keeps up very well with the wavey production. "Visionary" and "Median Alleviates the Drama" sees Median at his most introspective and serious throughout this EP. "Visionary" is a self-reflecting standout, touching on a range of things including him trying to paint pictures and how society is like; while the latter, also on Dream Merchant, Vol. 1, reflects more on himself, along with his surroundings, as he attempts to grind to make it out the hood with his crew. I've already discussed 9th's wonderful sample chop on that song, and if you wanna see my detailed thoughts on that song, along with the entire 9th compilation, click here. "Two Extremes", a bonus off the 2006 reissue, is also a pretty introspective song, where he reflects on how he's stuck between right and wrong. It's a nice representation of his name, showing how he's stuck in the middle when it comes to certain situations, with dope quotables including "Median, sometimes I'm Moody, no iddish" and "Real economists don't teach economy in college". "Short Story" isn't necessarily a personal cut, but it's an actual short and creative song where Median takes a minute (literally) to tell a story about his girlfriend interrupting his train of thought as he writes his raps.

"Comfortable", "Maglite" and "Relectric Elaxation" are the calmest songs on the EP, all produced by 9th Wonder. "Comfortable" is so freakin' beautiful, and is actually my favourite beat from 9th, as he chops the hell outta that Luther Vandross sample. And Median complements it so well, with his calm vibe over it. The hook is amazing too. "Relectric Elaxation" is basically Median's own version of the classic A Tribe Called Quest cut "Electric Relaxation", as he tries to get a lady's attention and chill with her. It's one of my favourites off the EP, and Median doesn't disappoint at all. 9th's beat was dope as well. "Maglite" is another bonus off the 2006 reissue, which has such a summer vibe, as 9th samples a Chaka Khan tune. It's a solid laidback tune, that has a lot of replay value, and Median is so calm on it. One line that actually gets me is "The law supposed to serve and protect us/but what do we do when the law's not enough?". Overall, that song is dope as hell, and both Median & 9th don't disappoint with their contributions. "Doing Dances" comes across as a carefree ass song, with a sunny beat from 9th. Median gives a "I'm just doing my thing" vibe as he reflects on himself, and what he's trying to do with his life and his music. It's another one of my favourites, and once again, the chemistry between Moody & 9th is so clear and amazing.

The Path to Relief's production is mostly handled by 9th Wonder, and you know damn well 9th always comes through with the legendary sample chops. "Comfortable" has to be my favourite beat from 9th, the way he chopped that Luther Vandross sample was so god damn beautiful, it can make a grown man cry. "Doing Dances" and "Maglite" gives hella summer vibes, with a carefree delivery from Median to complement the two beats. "Median Alleviates the Drama" is another of my favourite 9th beats, and once again, the sample chop is on another level, I freakin' love it! Khrysis delivers a beat for the freestyle outro, where Median thanks his fans for copping the project, and anticipates his debut. The sample is soulful, and Khrysis flips it just right. Eccentric provides a smooth and soulful instrumental with "Cool" and both Moody & Phonte sound just at home on it. I always thought Te would've been appropriate for a rap verse also, but it's clear as an intro, Median didn't wanna get washed (ha) and wanted to introduce the project smoothly. But it's whatever though.

So yeah, I love The Path to Relief. It serves as a pretty good warm-up to Median's Relief, with 9th providing dope ass beats and Median delivering an intriguing style standing out from the Justus League. The content is top-notch, being very clear that Median has more to offer than just hardcore flows and witty punchlines. His music leans more onto the calm grown man vibe, which is something I enjoy. And throughout these 21 minutes (30 if you count the bonus tracks), Median happens to interest me as a listener so effectively. There are no bad songs at all, and Median sounds so comfortable (no pun intended) over the instrumentals. If this is the EP, imagine how the album sounds...

Recommended Tracks: "Comfortable", "Relectric Elexation", "Doing Dances", "Visionary", "Maglite", "Median Alleviates the Drama"

50 Cent - Power of the Dollar

Scheduled release: 2000

Aight then, another album that didn't officially get the release it deserved.

50 Cent's Power of the Dollar. I remember how mind blowing it was for me to find out the fact that 50 had a whole album before the G-Unit tapes and Get Rich or Die Tryin'. I was 11 when I found out about it, and his early cuts were some heat.

1998 was a kickstart for 50, appearing on the Onyx single "React". Around this time, he was working with Jam Master Jay, recording a full-length album entirely produced by him. That one never saw the light of day AT ALL! But it was 1999, that was supposed to be his breakthrough year. He secured a deal with Columbia, appearing on the In Too Deep soundtrack with two songs: "How to Rob" and "Rowdy, Rowdy". While the latter had a music video, it wasn't as popular as the first, considering that "How to Rob" was a song that took light jabs at popping rappers of the time; which a lot took seriously.

According to an interview at The Tunnel in '99, his debut album Power of the Dollar was scheduled for a January 2000 release date. It's possible it went through some pushbacks overtime for somewhat reason. But in April 2000, 50 was unfortunately shot 9 times, likely due to a song on the album called "Ghetto Qu'ran" which caused controversy. As he was recovering, he ended up getting dropped from the label and blacklisted. The album release was officially cancelled, leading to it being bootlegged. The good thing is 50 still managed to make it out alive, starting from square one again, releasing a series of classic mixtapes in 2002 before inking a deal with the legends Eminem & Dr. Dre (Shady/Aftermath) and dropping the masterpiece Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

Anyway, Power of the Dollar features 18 tracks, with guest appearances from Noreaga, Bun B, Destiny's Child & Dave Hollister. The album mainly consists of your typical street cuts from 50, and it's pretty obvious that 50 had yet to master his catchy radio-friendly hooks and shit, considering he used singers to help him.
The album starts off nicely, after a skit introduction, we get "The Hit", a funky tune which 50 flows smoothly over, metaphorically making the song like a homicide, with the hook suggesting that, and it sets the mood for the album very well. There's already a few quotables, including 'I'm eating, ya'll niggas fasting like it's Ramadan/Bowlish way in Lebanon know 50 the bomb' and 'I know I lie, it's a habit, I vow to clean the city like the mayor/And in the crack game I'm a franchise player'. "The Good Die Young" samples "You Are Number One" from The Whispers, which would later be sampled on the classic Monica hit "So Gone". It's another hardhitting cut to vibe out to, where he details what to expect if he was to pass away, reflecting on his street life, whether it's money, doing grimy shit and more.

There are a lot of solid moments on Power of the Dollar, and on my first listen, I was pretty surprised. "Corner Bodega (Coke Spot)" is a prime example of the best song on an album being the shortest. And actually I'm fine with that, 50 manages to impress me amazingly with only one verse, expressing how things go down in the drug game. L.E.S. uses a classic sample, previously used for "Nuttin' But a G Thang" and he flipped that like it was nothing. "Your Life's on the Line" is the infamous Ja Rule diss, which ethered the hell outta him. What else is there to say about that one, ha?! "Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me)" is well-known for being one of the main reasons that 50 ended up being blacklisted (and a possible reason for his shooting), mentioning a number of people, mainly criminals, 50 remembered from his early years in his South Jamaica neighbourhood in Queens. It's also one of my favourites off the album really, with 50 being in his most introspective on it. "Da Repercussions" is another of my favourites, which hit hard on my first listen. 50 was a beast on that joint, it was on repeat for time! I could mention more, but this paragraph is long enough, so... just check my key favourites down below.

As I mentioned before, Power of the Dollar didn't feature the radio-friendly style we know him for these days, and there was only like 2 commercial joints on here. "Material Girl" was a decent cut, and Dave Hollister did his thing on the hook. It's not too special tho. "Thug Love", on the other hand, was an amazing radio-friendly attempt, and would've got the credit it deserved if 50 didn't get shot before the video shoot and all. Destiny's Child really came through on them vocals, especially Bey, and 50 delivered some great verses. The rest of the features were also good on the album too. "As the World Turns" is a "New York meets the South" vibe, with Red Spyda providing such a chill Southern beat to ride to. 50 switches up the flow this time, rapping effortlessly on the joint. He manages to keep up with Bun B very well, who murked this cut. Noreaga comes through on "Money by Any Means", which was pretty decent, and he did a good job. I wanna give love to "Da Heatwave", another 50/N.O.R.E. cut which unfortunately didn't make the final cut on the album (it was on the EP version). This time, Noreaga was on the hook, and 50 killed it. Plus, Erick Sermon was on the boards too, and killed the production. The Madd Rapper ends the album with his appearance on "How to Rob" as a hypeman and hook duty. You already know about this tune, he came at everybody and alla that.

Blah, blah, you already know I'm bringing up the production. Almost everyone killed it. "Corner Bodega (Coke Spot)", "You Ain't No Gangsta", "I'm a Hustler", "Power of the Dollar" and "The Good Die Young" are some of my favourite beats on the album, and 50 floated over them. Erick Sermon also did his thing too, "Da Heatwave" is FUEGO! I wish it made the final album cut, easily could've made the album better.
But overall, this album is dope. One of my favourite projects from 50, yet the most underrated as it never got the official release deserved. I could say the same shit I've said in 98% of my reviews, so you know the deal. Hardly any bad songs, good production, great bars and features. Yeah yeah, I'm done talking. Go check this album out!

Recommended Tracks: "Corner Bodega (Coke Spot)", "You Ain't No Gangsta", "As the World Turns", "I'm a Hustler", "The Good Die Young", "Power of the Dollar", "The Hit", "Thug Love", "Your Life's on the Line", "How to Rob"