Chapters’ is the first EP released by independent Rapper & producer, Medley.

The 4-track EP follows the four stages of a relationship in each song: The courting stage, The honeymoon phase, The break-up & the last stage, where you become strangers once more.

With the release date being on valentines day, the Rochdale creative opted for this specific date because ‘it’s a day to celebrate love, for some its a time to spark a new connection, but at the same time for others who are alone, its a day you may reflect on relationships that have gone by. Each track relates to a stage we’ve been through or are going through. There’s a song for the new couples, the ones who have broken up, and the single people out there too.’

In collaboration with a finalist of the ‘young creative of the year 2022’ (as part of the MCR culture awards) Danny H, Medley has attributed the development and completion of the Chapters EP to this gifted producer and artist.

Medley went on to say: “This project wouldn’t have come together, let alone be what it is without the help, time, skill and guidance provided by Danny. He challenged me as a musician and connected with the essence of each song, his belief in me has made me grow and I hope that translates into the choices we made for each song that you hear.”

Sonically, the EP lives up to Medley’s namesake, with a variety of soundscapes that evoke the feelings brought on by love, both positive and negative and the confusion inbetween. Medley encapsulates these stages of love through a variety of smooth, visceral and reflective lyrics accompanied by flows that further evoke the emotions presented in each song.

Medley promises 2023 will have much more to come, and we can’t wait to see what this year holds for him.

Medley sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Music has been the backdrop of my upbringing all my life, we had all sorts of CD’s back in the day, from Michael Jackson’s greatest hits to RDB & Will Smith.

When high school started, that’s when my love for music widened and deepened, this was the limewire era so lots of people I knew were downloading music, we weren’t limited to hearing songs on TV or the radio anymore.

My cousin had given me an Ipod nano i think it was, it had 8gb of storage on it which was massive back in 08/09. He had it full to the brim of songs from so many different genres, Soul, Neo Soul, Hiphop, UK garage, R&B, Pop, House, progressive house, reggae and so much more.

I knew I loved listening to music when i found out what sampling was, I love finding out a song I love samples another track which also happens to be amazing. It makes you appreciate the creativity of the sampler and the sampled.

In terms of performing music, I was too scared for the longest time. I’d been writing for years, and it wasn’t until 2019 that I bit the bullet and started releasing music.

It started with instrumentals from Youtube with me rapping over them, which I would then upload to soundcloud. After a few months of this, lockdown eventually hit. I had nothing to do like many of us and it was driving me mad. So I thought I would learn how to produce, it made sense, I’d rather make a beat I like than spend hours looking for one.

It’s taken a lot of hard work, I’m still aware I’ve got a lot more learning to do, but the trial and error and learning phases I’ve taken up to this point are invaluable.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I have a love for artists who are true to themselves, whether that be in their lyrics, their chosen genre, their production or even their method of working.

It’s difficult to give you a definitive list of artists who I never get tired of listening to, but what I can do is tell you which artists I’m listening to right now that I feel emulate that element of being true to themselves. (I’d also love to work with them in the future).

They are: P-rallel, KinKai, Glue70, Children of Zeus, Coops and Talos.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

After this EP is released, I’m going to take some time for myself and have some experiences that I can reflect on.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some other tracks in the pipeline but at the same time I feel I need to recharge, that being said, sometimes tracks I’ve really enjoyed are created when I least expect it.

4. How would you describe your sound?

My sound reflects my name as an artist, I don’t like to really define myself by a sound, I think that’s reflected in my EP and previous releases. I have slow-paced tracks and fast, it’s just whatever catches my ear. If anything, I tend to gravitate to more chilled-out soundscapes.

Maybe this answer will change a few years down the road, We’ll have to do an update someday.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

My proudest moment was my first performance in Manchester, it was back towards the end of October in 2021, it was at OffTheSquare as part of their ‘origins’ night which hosted up & coming artists.

It was my proudest moment because I got the chance to perform for people I know, as well as new people and to test myself really, I wanted the chance to perform so badly, I took it and I’d had nothing but good feedback since. (Anyone looking for an act , I’m always down to hear and perform!).

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I think right now, these bits of advice are probably the most critical for an aspiring musician.

What is your intention? Why do you want to do it? Do you want to be famous? Do you want clout? Money? a record deal? Connections? Of course, these possibilities aren’t the sole reasons people get into music, but I feel some people just want that.

I think being honest with yourself saves you a lot of headaches down the line. It can save you from disappointment.  One of my intentions in whatever art I make, is to have the audience gain a new understanding or perspective or to forget their troubles or stresses even if it’s for a moment.

Live, try to experience as much as you can, and if you’re bound to an area because of a lack of money or whatever, try to gain as much perspective as you can, about where your live, and the people around you. These experiences, these reflections, and these thoughts are the ingredients that you can use in your lyrics or music. Channel what is real to you into your art.

learn how to produce, that way you can make beats you like rather than waiting for the chance that someone else made one you like. But don’t get me wrong, collaborate with other artists still, it can help you grow a lot. And if you absolutely dont have the access or ability to learn how to produce yourself, then at the very least, know what sounds you want or like, have references ready for any producer you work with.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I’ve definitely got to include the list I had before, I’ll add a few more though:

P-rallel, KinKai, Glue70, Children of Zeus, Coops, Talos, Danny H, Akemi Fox, Mushkilla, Juju rogers, Knucks, Tomi Agape, Little Simz, ENNY and 2nd Exit.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

The first one is a bit left field but it's the soundtrack from Tekken Tag 1, it hits deep cause its nostalgic but listening to it as an adult and a musician, I appreciate it differently. It’s extremely well-produced.

The Travel Light album by Children of Zeus is always on repeat, every track on there is an absolute banger, There’s nothing like them.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

 Watch anime, hit the gym, or explore some new places, see my friends or family, or work on some other creatively inclined hair-brained scheme.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Soundproofing (I don’t want distractions from outside).

Air conditioning, I can’t create in the cold.

A good scran midway (if its a mixing session) or towards the end (if its a vocal session).

Follow Medley on Instagram HERE!