STYLE, SUBSTANCE IN PROCUSSIONS' RAP.

Byline: FRED SHUSTER

>MUSIC WRITER

As far as mainstream rap goes, the Procussions have about as much in common with the genre's ubiquitous gangsta persona as Dick Cheney does.

The Los Angeles hip-hop duo whose members go by the names Mr. J Medeiros and Stro the 89th Key -- aka the Procussions -- display versatility, substance and style in songs that deliver political and social messages in a sharply focused, witty manner.

Medeiros, a longtime member of AmeriCorps, which is similar to a domestic version of the Peace Corps, is far from the stereotypical bling-slinging rapper. His spiritually inclined social activism, which has involved working with at-risk youth and abused women, extends to songs like the recent "Constance," based on the true story of a girl Medeiros knows who was sold by her father into the human trafficking underworld.

The frankly amazing song (the powerful video can be viewed on www.YouTube.com) from Medeiros' just-issued solo album "Of Gods and Girls" (Rawkus) has been used on CBS and NBC network news programs.

The Procussions, who have received critical acclaim during their 10 years together, appear Monday at the Knitting Factory Hollywood in their first local show in almost a year. We reached Medeiros, the duo's Colorado-born lyricist, for his take on the current rap scene.

Why do you reckon so much mainstream rap is so misogynistic?

We live in a male-run society and hip-hop is a perfect reflection of the type of ego and will that controls it. It's a man-born and -bred music, and an overwhelming portion of it is based on the exploitation of women and violence -- two elements that make up rape and misogyny. Hip-hop's image of men is just as destructive as its image of women. I won't be defined by hip-hop's present or past idea of what a man is supposed to be.

What was the story behind "Constance"?

Several things inspired me to write it. It's not just a human trafficking issue, though it's defined as human trafficking. Constance was a 13-year-old girl who was sold by her father to a man who was a human trafficker who used her to create child porn to make money. Child porn is a billion-dollar industry, and pornography brings in more revenue than all the sports combined. ... It's important for hip-hop to speak about it, and it's also important for a male artist to speak about it because, in general, men are tired of the self-image we're being sold.

Rap's origins go back to poverty-stricken areas in New York City, and it was a joyous, uplifting sound for the first few years. Now, it's mostly about bloody revenge fantasies.

Not a lot of healing goes on in hip-hop. It's crazy that it comes from an oppressed people, but now we're the ones exploiting people. Hip-hop has turned into fantasy music -- it has no integrity or dignity. It says that a real man is someone who walks around with a gun, objectifies women and is largely illiterate. ... Hip-hop is now designed for club music and exploiting women. It's very disappointing.

What do you think the result will be?

We're going to see in the next generation what happens when you bombard people with this sort of apathetic music with its morally and socially wrong messages.

Fred Shuster, [phone]

[e-mail]

THE PROCUSSIONS

>Where: Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

>When: 9 p.m. Monday.

>How Much: $10. [phone]; www.knittingfactory.com.

>Openings

Dwele

Neo-soul singer. B.B. King's Blues Club, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 7 tonight. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

Hollywood Orchestra

and Savion Glover: On Tap

Star of "Bring In Da Noise" taps to Duke Ellington's jazz ballet, "The River." Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 7:30 tonight. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

American Idols Live

Last season's top 10 finalists sing. Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Monday. [phone] or www.ticket

master.com.

Sultry Spanish Nights

Spanish classics sung by Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza and performed by the L.A. Phil, with Arnaldo Cohen, also from Brazil, on piano. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Tuesday. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

Lyle Lovett and k.d. lang

From country to lounge. The Greek, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

Eddie Izzard

Wild, British comedian. Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega, Los Angeles. 9 p.m. Thursday. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Southern rock. The Greek, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Friday. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

Viva Las Vegas: An Evening With Gladys Knight

Glittering stage spectaculars from the lady of soul. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Friday. [phone] or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Openings (see text)