Medeiros got his start in 1998 when he formed the Hip-Hop group, The Procussions, in his hometown of Colorado Springs, CO. Following the buzz of their first single, Medeiros spearheaded their relocation to Los Angeles. The band would go on to enjoy four successful years in rap’s underground scene, touring the world and garnering critical acclaim for both their recorded and live performances. Some of their more notable achievements include touring with hip-hop icons A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots, and collaborating with Talib Kweli on their single "Miss January". The trio had two independent releases, As Iron Sharpens Iron and their EP Up All Night. Their sophomore album, 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents, was the first release on Rawkus Records’s revamped label. The group disbanded in 2007 on good terms.
Later that year, Mr. J. Medeiros dropped his debut album, Of Gods and Girls, on Rawkus Records. Challenging himself to grow as a musician, Medeiros used this time to take on the roles of both producer and rapper. These two facets came together brilliantly on the ground-breaking single "Constance", where Mr. J. took aim at the ills of human trafficking and internet pornography. To help raise awareness on this issue Medeiros formed the iamconstance.com campaign, which partnered with international non-profit organizations to fight human trafficking and sexual abuse. Being the first song of its kind, “Constance” gathered enough attention to land itself on the CBS Evening News in an expo on sex trafficking. Though the music video was considered by MTV to be "too controversial to air", Medeiros found commercial support via VH1 and a guest appearance on TLC’s T.V. show "Miami Ink". “Of gods and girls” is considered by many Hip Hop enthusiasts to be a classic album and provided a strong foot forward for Mr. J.’s emerging career.
In 2009, after a two-year standstill with record labels, Mr. J. Medeiros decided to take his career into his own hands. He formed DeMedeiros LLC in the spring of that year and released an EP titled The Art of Broken Glass soon after. Produced by YouTube phenom Boonie Mayfield and distributed exclusively through Mr. J.’s website, the EP found critical acclaim, praising Mr. J.’s heightened lyrical ability, along with Boonie's “Golden Era” production style.
In the summer of that year and building on the word-of-mouth success the EP achieved, Medeiros released his highly anticipated sophomore album, Friends Enemies Apples Apples. Medeiros partnered with former bandmate, Stro Elliot, on the production while he focused mainly on perfecting his skill as a songwriter. Being crowned a “Rapper’s Rapper” this album served as proof that Mr. J. Medeiros is a career artist and not a one-album wonder. “Friends Enemies Apples Apples”, was widely celebrated and landed stellar reviews in major music publications, which is a testament to the strength of Mr. J.’s music.
With the ever changing music industry, and the race to find new ways to promote independent music, Mr. J. Medeiros took a creative approach to releasing his third full-length album Saudade. In the summer of 2011 he worked exclusively with “indiegogo”, a crowd-funding resource site, and handed the role of executive producer to his fans. In three months Mr. J. fans gave triple the asking amount, an event large enough to be referenced in a “Business Insider” article on crowd sourcing. MTV also got involved with the release as the music video for the lead single, “Neon Signs” won the MTVu.com Freshman Video challenge, putting the video into regular rotation on MTVu, yet another testament to the strength of Medeiros’s fans base. From an artistic perspective, “Saudade” reveals a wealth of musical and personal experience. Written by himself and introducing his production team The Stare (consisting of Mr. J. Medeiros, Stro Elliot, and Luke Atencio) “Saudade” received high honors from numerous publications sighting the albums diverse yet cohesive nature and frequently describing the result as “beautiful” and “original”.
Mr. J. Medeiros is considered one of hip-hop’s most innovative and insightful artists. He has spent his career building a name that is synonymous with quality and consistency. His most recent EP, Pale Blue Dot, exposed his artistic prowess, as he took brave steps into a new sound.
Constance
Mr. J. Medeiros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under a hotel sign that blinks vacancy
He’s thinking maybe he’s to late to make the drop off
Until a truck coming his way breaks and stops short
And now he’s out of sorts and you can see he’s sorta nervous
Walking to the passenger door to meet his ordered service
This is someone’s daughter working blames his conscience
The driver says, “She’s my youngest, her name is Constance.”
Just don’t leave any marks on her, it hurts business”
Thought for a minute then confessed, “That’s fair.”
Since it was three dollars less then his cab fare
“How old are you honey?” she says, “I’m thirteen.”
Her nose was runny its raining in the Philippines
He hands over the money in a chilling scene
The truck drives off and now he’s on the hunt to kill her dreams
The sign reads no vacancy
He leads Constance to a room he has rented for taping
See he’s about to turn six into six thousand
And all you have to do is click on your web browser
It’s not illegal to use rapping as a cash crop
As long as it says she’s 18 on your laptop
The sound of rain is her backdrop laying there
Like she’s waiting for somebody to say they care
While the tears of God fall down the window pane
She feels unholy like the Father doesn’t know her name
Marry Magdalene and the women at the well
He knows everything that happens
And in His arms she fell
He’s twenty one and all alone in his household
He’s tempted by the quiet he feels and the mouse he holds
The silence of his spouse is cold
So he’s about to help that man get his six thousand gold
One click and now she’s
Withholding is conscience scrolling trough the comments
There she is looking confident a picture of Constance
In a series of video clips “Adult Content”
The title blinks in bold letters like the vacancy sign
It’s his time to go get her
It’s like his mind doesn’t know better
Her soul is crying out, “Let me go.” but he won't let her
He got her trapped inside his media player
Held captive by his need to reply her
It’s a matter of he being here and she being there
That’s why he doesn’t feel the need to care
Guilt is in the seed he bared
Spilling his shares of the profit
On a five hundred million dollar market
Where children are regarded as product
And traded like stock tips
And rapped for the sake of our pockets
His laptop sits like a window into Constance’s room
Where he exits cus its almost noon
And he’s expecting his wife home soon
With new clothes for the baby
She’d be angry if she saw his new lady
A thirteen-year-old Filipino names Constance
Trust me girl God has not forgotten
If He knew Mary Magdalene and the women at the well
He knows everything happened and in His arms she fell
The song "Constance" by Mr. J. Medeiros tells the story of an old man on vacation who encounters a truck driver who offers him the services of his youngest daughter, Constance, for only $6. The old man takes Constance to a room he has rented for taping and films her for adult content video clips. As he withholds his conscience and scrolls through the comments on his videos, Constance's soul cries out for freedom, but she remains captive to his media player. The song highlights the issue of child trafficking and exploitation in the sex industry and challenges the listener to never turn a blind eye.
Line by Line Meaning
An old man vacationing he stands patently.
An elderly man on vacation stands still and waits.
Under a hotel sign that blinks vacancy.
He is standing under a flickering hotel sign that shows 'no rooms available.'
He’s thinking maybe he’s to late to make the drop off.
The man thinks he might be too late for a delivery.
Until a truck coming his way breaks and stops short.
A truck suddenly brakes in front of him, halting his thoughts.
And now he’s out of sorts and you can see he’s sorta nervous.
Feeling uneasy and nervous, his demeanor changes.
Walking to the passenger door to meet his ordered service.
He approaches the truck's passenger door to receive his requested goods.
This is someone’s daughter working blames his conscience.
He realizes that the young worker is someone's daughter and feels guilty about his plans.
The driver says, “She’s my youngest, her name is Constance.”
The driver reveals that the girl working is his daughter, named Constance.
He comments, “…and its only six dollars per visit
The man comments on the cheap fee for the service he requested.
Just don’t leave any marks on her, it hurts business”
The driver warns him not to injure the girl as it negatively affects the business.
Thought for a minute then confessed, “That’s fair.”
After thinking for a moment, he agrees with the driver's statement.
Since it was three dollars less then his cab fare
He decides to use the service as it is cheaper than a taxi.
“How old are you honey?” she says, “I’m thirteen.”
The worker admits that she is only thirteen years old.
Her nose was runny its raining in the Philippines
The worker's nose is runny due to the rainy weather in the Philippines where she lives.
He hands over the money in a chilling scene
The exchange of money is unsettling and creates a negative atmosphere.
The truck drives off and now he’s on the hunt to kill her dreams
After the truck leaves, he becomes determined to accomplish his sinister plan.
The sign reads no vacancy
The hotel sign continues to flash 'no rooms available.'
He leads Constance to a room he has rented for taping
He takes Constance to a room he has rented to record their interaction.
See he’s about to turn six into six thousand
He plans to make a large profit from their encounter.
And all you have to do is click on your web browser
He hints that there are people online who are willing to pay for such content.
It’s not illegal to use rapping as a cash crop
He justifies his actions by saying that making a profit is not illegal.
As long as it says she’s 18 on your laptop
He explains that labeling the content as 'adult' and claiming the girl is eighteen makes it legal under certain circumstances.
The sound of rain is her backdrop laying there
Rain serves as background noise as Constance lays there.
Like she’s waiting for somebody to say they care
She looks as if she is waiting for someone to show concern for her well-being.
While the tears of God fall down the window pane
The man compares the rain drops running down the window to God's tears, perhaps representing sadness or disappointment.
She feels unholy like the Father doesn’t know her name
Constance feels unimportant and forgotten by God.
Marry Magdalene and the women at the well
The singer refers to religious figures who were redeemed in the eyes of God despite their past actions.
He knows everything that happens
The singer believes that God is aware of all actions that take place in the world.
And in His arms she fell
The man believes that Constance is in God's embrace, providing comfort.
He’s twenty one and all alone in his household
He is a young man living alone in his own residence.
He’s tempted by the quiet he feels and the mouse he holds
He is tempted by the ease and convenience of the internet, and his control over it.
The silence of his spouse is cold
His wife is not present, and there is a feeling of distance and separation.
So he’s about to help that man get his six thousand gold
He is willing to assist in making the other man wealthy from the illegal situation.
One click and now she’s
He reveals that it takes only one click to perpetuate the cycle of exploitation.
Withholding is conscience scrolling trough the comments
He is suppressing his conscience, scrolling through online feedback without addressing his wrongdoing.
There she is looking confident a picture of Constance
A confident image of Constance appears on his screen.
In a series of video clips “Adult Content”
He has recorded and is sharing explicit content depicting Constance.
The title blinks in bold letters like the vacancy sign
The title of the video appears on the screen in large, flashing letters.
It’s his time to go get her
He feels the urge to return to Constance and continue exploiting her.
It’s like his mind doesn’t know better
He is aware that his actions are immoral, but his impulses override his morality.
Her soul is crying out, “Let me go.” but he won't let her
He acknowledges that Constance does not want to participate, but he disregards her wishes.
He got her trapped inside his media player
He has assumed control over Constance, keeping her confined in his digital media library.
Held captive by his need to reply her
He is addicted to her presence and feels unable to give up his control.
It’s a matter of he being here and she being there
The distance between them increases his desire to maintain control and confinement.
That’s why he doesn’t feel the need to care
His sense of detachment justifies ignoring Constance's wellbeing.
Guilt is in the seed he bared
He bears guilt due to his known role in the exploitation of children.
Spilling his shares of the profit
He reveals that he has earned a profit from his actions.
On a five hundred million dollar market
He notes the large monetary amount associated with the exploitation of minors.
Where children are regarded as product
The man acknowledges that children are viewed as commodities in this line of work.
And traded like stock tips
He compares the sale of children to trading stocks or financial tips.
And rapped for the sake of our pockets
Children are exploited for the financial gain of others.
His laptop sits like a window into Constance’s room
The man's laptop appears like a window into Constance's environment.
Where he exits cus its almost noon
He leaves the laptop or the room because it is nearly noon.
And he’s expecting his wife home soon
He anticipates his wife's arrival back home.
With new clothes for the baby
His wife has purchased clothing for their child.
She’d be angry if she saw his new lady
His wife would be upset if she saw the younger female he is exploiting.
A thirteen-year-old Filipino named Constance
He reflects on Constance's identity and the moral implications of his actions.
Trust me girl God has not forgotten
The man assures Constance that God has not forgotten her and her pain.
If He knew Mary Magdalene and the women at the well
The man believes that God understands and empathizes with women who have faced difficulties and redemption.
He knows everything happened and in His arms she fell
God is aware of all events and is present to comfort those in need.
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mwendabaimwendabai4923
Still listening 13 years later. Man this message is deep and gets me all the time
@johnnyguolker2276
Facts
@erel238
still listening to this song 15 years later… such an influential message behind it, and the song itself has a divine jam
@greenkodex
This is such a powerful message! As a lover of hip hop music, I feel that this is what Rap should be used for. Sending a message through rhythm and rhyme. However hip hop today is all about money, drugs, violence....
@ntiyisorm
word!
@stokeykevlaa9473
absolutely spot on. tip my hat to you.
@Ressur3cted
ye but gangsta rap was here long time before, its not the issue of todays rap only...
@bwavert
Totally agree ! Well said man
@max_gi-n
100%
@adrianmendoza3103
Such a damn good song.
15yrs later still here.