Spotlight.
Conscious Route
INTRODUCTION
Conscious Route is a rapper, MC, poet and singer-songwriter who was born in London before moving to Edinburgh over a decade ago. In 2020, he unleashed the collaborative ‘Lost Routes’ album, alongside producer True Note, which went on to receive a 4-star review in The Scotsman upon its release. His most recent album, ‘Belterz’ has also received 4 star reviews from The Skinny Magazine and The Scotsman. It has been supported worldwide, including ‘Day Ones’ being named in the top tracks of 2023 on London based Itch Fm's Exposure Show with DJ Sammy Jay and on Sheffield-based Mama RaRay’s Break & Bass Fam show. The album has received worldwide coverage with multiple songs played on radio and digital broadcasting platforms. It also was given a featured spotlight on PortlandMetroRecords.com, and was featured on Blacksmith and Frenic’s Rinse FM show. Meanwhile, the live music scene has seen Conscious Route support Dabbla, Dead Prez, Marlowe, Pan Amsterdam, Wiki, Jelani Blackman and Onyx, to name a few.
Conscious Route headlines AMPLIFI at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Wednesday 20 March. Full information and tickets HERE
INTERVIEW
How did you get into music?
I first got into music singing in Primary school choirs, which wasn’t cool, plus my voice broke in my preteens. But it was my friends having decks at the time when dance music was moving from hardcore into jungle/drum & bass that first got me writing as an emcee. Which progressed into writing hip hop, then working with live bands, and doing more alternative collaborations and styles.
What initially inspired you?
I always loved listening to people like Michael Jackson and Phil Collins in my youth, then, in my teens, it was Guns & Roses, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Wu Tang. Later on, in my twenties, I became educated in Bob Dylan, The Band, Dr John, Gil Scott Heron, Cymande, and Sly and the Family Stone, among others who have impacted my love and understanding of music. I'm inspired by the culture and philosophy of hip-hop, as well as the sound. I'm also inspired by roots music and how repression has created music to help Black and other cultures cope, finding meaning and expression to translate their suffering into art.
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your work?
The main theme in my music is an introspective evaluation of my experiences, as well as social commentary. I sometimes touch on political issues, but not too much. I also chat about rappers that are cliched and promoting a negative ‘road man’ image as the only voice in hip hop, and how the industry promotes this. It’s not that there’s no place for that sort of hip-hop, but why are they excluding the positive sides of the culture?
What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?
That one’s really hard, but I think it’s my new album, ‘Belterz,’ because of the collaborations and the scale of the work that was needed to bring it to life. I have enjoyed so many of my past projects, like my ‘Lost Routes’ album and the ‘Pyramid EP,’ when I got to see lots of little ideas turn into songs, then come into a full body of work. It's exciting seeing it grow and develop from a seed into a tree full of grown songs as a physical/digital product.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into music?
I would say to people to enjoy the process of art and to take time to find the right people, sound, or space to develop. Art can be very fun and healing if you need it to be, a lot of people might discourage you, but we all start off somewhere that's not always amazing, and it takes time to grow at any level. I would also add that there is a lot of struggle in the growth of an artist, so don't expect it to just be fun, but more about growing. Managing to develop through your art is a reward in itself, and the more you do this, the easier it gets to do and cope with. Lastly, I would say, if you like creating art, if it helps you, no matter what others think or say, just keep going if it feels right for you.
What are you currently working on?
I am putting together two albums right now; one with Supermann on da Beat and one with Chris Greive. The album with Supermann on da Beat is a mix of modern beats, boom-bap hip-hop and some soul. I have some features on this one, like Johnny Cypher, Pro Focus, Bridget Quinn, and P Caso. I am even getting an appearance from my cousin, Milla, which is beautiful. We are working on the final song right now, she is a talented 19-year-old singer based in Australia.
The album with Chris Greive is more chilled. It has a depth in the musicality and lyricism that is more organic, and I think it would suit a live band should we push this as a live show.
I have other projects lined-up, but these are the two that are in production.