1. First of all tell us a little bit about yourself. How old are you and where are you from?
Where do we begin? You can call me the 'everything' man. I've been working on various ways to express ideas and share them with folks for the last few years on a larger scale, though I've been an artist all of my life. I'll be 27 in October. I'm originally, from Long Beach, Cali. I've spent the majority of my life between The Bronx and Harlem though, actually, looking to leaving the states to find a new home.
2. When did you start rapping?
I started rhyming professionally in about 2001. It came directly behind me making my first appearances in New York's (Poetry Circuit).
3. Who do you think have been your main influences/inspirations?
As far as making my first step towards performing, it would have to be a very close friend of mine that influenced me the most. A very powerful writer/ performance artist & playwright, she basically was amazing on stage and made me feel a lil bit ashamed for being a grown capable man, afraid to speak the words that I wrote. Around the same time I began to post poetry online on a few sites and became apart of one very important site (Fireseek) that actually spawned a lot of the now flourishing poetry boards that exist today. I also wrote a lot about police brutality and the abuse of power by so called authorities in lower income communities. I received a lot of feedback letters and responses to the majority of what I wrote, mainly from those people that experienced events similar to those I spoke of in my pieces. I realized the importance. And decided that I'd continue by taking advantage of every venue I could speak in. Soon I had become a host of a number of open mics where people could do poetry, emcee or express their selves in whatever fashion they felt comfortable. I've performed in the federal prison system, in churches, colleges, various venues throughout the tri-state area and most importantly for children. I took some time off from it though, to see where I was going. I took some time to rest. One can become overly immersed in what they do. Hiatus from things at times is the best solution.
4. What was the main massages and vibe that you put in to your first album?
Journal: And Eklektik Journey was the first real record I released. I was doing a whole lot of poetry back then. Holding down at least two weekly venues and slamming often. I decided to gather some of my journal entries and just record them. I compiled my poetry with my rhymes and tossed them together as I saw fit. Back then I did an open mic in Harlem where my main focus was to get people to stop being on either side of the emcee - poet divide. So much energy had been and still is going towards trynah separate the two when the two are apart of each other. I figured I'd give both sides something to appreciate and basically open closed minds enough so they could discover on their own what was great about the two. It seemed to work. Same idea came with that album. I didn't wanna do the same lame poetry cd that alot of the people I shared stages with put out. And I wasn't going to do another so called 'Hiphop' album. I did what I do naturally. I did me.
5. What differences can we except in your next release, if any?
Every album I've done thus far has been totally different from it's predecessor. 'Co-Conspirators', the next album set be released on the 'Eklektic Gardens' label will be the first album where I collaborate with other artist on the majority of tracks. I produced the entire album with a less is more vibe, very relaxed and easy flow. Something for those that wanna hear dope emcees spittin rhymes that don't sound like they're trynah be nice on the mic. We have some veteran wordsmiths accompanying the soundscapes. This isn't a party record. And it's not a put you in a coffin EP either. What it is, is some good ol reliable, won't do you no wrong Hip Hop.
6. Are there any artists that you wish to work with in the future and do you have any aspirations to experiment with different genres of music?
I've been producing unconventional Hiphop tracks and some alternative soul / rock tracks. I've always done more then what people deem real ' Hiphop' music. I have an album entitled 'Pulse 2.0' that's in the works. Honestly, most of the album is written and the tracks have been produced. Just need to get the vocals recorded. That's a process. Whole nother state of mind. There's also a 7 track Rock EP I plan on working on in the near future that basically takes a trip through the immense genre that is Rock & Roll. Honestly, I feel at times anything I do will be Hiphop. It's in my blood. And it will only be classified by I the creator of it. When the artist does not have the say in what it is that he/she creates, then the problem begins.
7. Do you regard yourself as an underground or commercial artist?
I'm an independent artist. The moment you sell a record you become a commercial artist. So I am both. People often confuse commercial with mainstream.
8. Who is your main target audience?
Anyone that will listen. Since I'm playing with different genres and making music in general. I have something to offer to a vast demographic that encompasses more then the so-called 'Hood' or cult following pigeon holed 'Indies'. Though there's nothing wrong with those divisions. I just choose not to be apart of the separation game. I have already interacted on stages with wide ranging eclectic audiences. Young and old. Wealthy and broke. There's no limit to amount of persons one can reach. I make music for anyone that can hear it.
9. Seeing that you are 27 years of age do you think that helps in terms of maturity when dropping logic on the mic and has this had any bearing on the choice of your name 'Conscious'?
Nope. Maturity comes with experience not age. The name came from the original poetry pen name Stream of Conscious. I dropped that a few years back. The way I approach art in general, is in a stream of conscious method. Whether it be in the form of a rhyme of a painting. Free flowing and uncontrived. When it's done it's done. No deliberation.
10. Thanks for talking with us! Is there anything else you wish for people to know about Conscious or any messages you want to send out (shout outs etc)?
Just look out for the re-release of the Journal via Violent Art Records. Of course the forth come EP Co-Conspirators on Eklektic Gardens (guest appearances by, Dyalekt, Crooked Scallah, Members of The Black Horde, Dirty Harry, Thinker, Tah Phrum Dah Bush (Filthy Clean Records), Frankie Devualle , Sense, Kaleal Crooks (Silver Pharaoh ) and some other folks who shall remain nameless. Definite shout out to Inner Circle Entertainment, my partner Jigsaw from Allhiphop.com for constant encouragement to do what I'm doing. And a certain new media guru down south that I can't seem to ever get along with that has opened my eyes to what else I'm capable of doing with all this new fangled digital technology. Oh and yeah can't forget Adam Bernard super journalist and host of the In Da Mixx radio show at Fairfield College on Tuesday nights. Check out Adam's blog http://tuesdaynights.blogsome.com
http://www.livemicsociety.com
Where do we begin? You can call me the 'everything' man. I've been working on various ways to express ideas and share them with folks for the last few years on a larger scale, though I've been an artist all of my life. I'll be 27 in October. I'm originally, from Long Beach, Cali. I've spent the majority of my life between The Bronx and Harlem though, actually, looking to leaving the states to find a new home.
2. When did you start rapping?
I started rhyming professionally in about 2001. It came directly behind me making my first appearances in New York's (Poetry Circuit).
3. Who do you think have been your main influences/inspirations?
As far as making my first step towards performing, it would have to be a very close friend of mine that influenced me the most. A very powerful writer/ performance artist & playwright, she basically was amazing on stage and made me feel a lil bit ashamed for being a grown capable man, afraid to speak the words that I wrote. Around the same time I began to post poetry online on a few sites and became apart of one very important site (Fireseek) that actually spawned a lot of the now flourishing poetry boards that exist today. I also wrote a lot about police brutality and the abuse of power by so called authorities in lower income communities. I received a lot of feedback letters and responses to the majority of what I wrote, mainly from those people that experienced events similar to those I spoke of in my pieces. I realized the importance. And decided that I'd continue by taking advantage of every venue I could speak in. Soon I had become a host of a number of open mics where people could do poetry, emcee or express their selves in whatever fashion they felt comfortable. I've performed in the federal prison system, in churches, colleges, various venues throughout the tri-state area and most importantly for children. I took some time off from it though, to see where I was going. I took some time to rest. One can become overly immersed in what they do. Hiatus from things at times is the best solution.
4. What was the main massages and vibe that you put in to your first album?
Journal: And Eklektik Journey was the first real record I released. I was doing a whole lot of poetry back then. Holding down at least two weekly venues and slamming often. I decided to gather some of my journal entries and just record them. I compiled my poetry with my rhymes and tossed them together as I saw fit. Back then I did an open mic in Harlem where my main focus was to get people to stop being on either side of the emcee - poet divide. So much energy had been and still is going towards trynah separate the two when the two are apart of each other. I figured I'd give both sides something to appreciate and basically open closed minds enough so they could discover on their own what was great about the two. It seemed to work. Same idea came with that album. I didn't wanna do the same lame poetry cd that alot of the people I shared stages with put out. And I wasn't going to do another so called 'Hiphop' album. I did what I do naturally. I did me.
5. What differences can we except in your next release, if any?
Every album I've done thus far has been totally different from it's predecessor. 'Co-Conspirators', the next album set be released on the 'Eklektic Gardens' label will be the first album where I collaborate with other artist on the majority of tracks. I produced the entire album with a less is more vibe, very relaxed and easy flow. Something for those that wanna hear dope emcees spittin rhymes that don't sound like they're trynah be nice on the mic. We have some veteran wordsmiths accompanying the soundscapes. This isn't a party record. And it's not a put you in a coffin EP either. What it is, is some good ol reliable, won't do you no wrong Hip Hop.
6. Are there any artists that you wish to work with in the future and do you have any aspirations to experiment with different genres of music?
I've been producing unconventional Hiphop tracks and some alternative soul / rock tracks. I've always done more then what people deem real ' Hiphop' music. I have an album entitled 'Pulse 2.0' that's in the works. Honestly, most of the album is written and the tracks have been produced. Just need to get the vocals recorded. That's a process. Whole nother state of mind. There's also a 7 track Rock EP I plan on working on in the near future that basically takes a trip through the immense genre that is Rock & Roll. Honestly, I feel at times anything I do will be Hiphop. It's in my blood. And it will only be classified by I the creator of it. When the artist does not have the say in what it is that he/she creates, then the problem begins.
7. Do you regard yourself as an underground or commercial artist?
I'm an independent artist. The moment you sell a record you become a commercial artist. So I am both. People often confuse commercial with mainstream.
8. Who is your main target audience?
Anyone that will listen. Since I'm playing with different genres and making music in general. I have something to offer to a vast demographic that encompasses more then the so-called 'Hood' or cult following pigeon holed 'Indies'. Though there's nothing wrong with those divisions. I just choose not to be apart of the separation game. I have already interacted on stages with wide ranging eclectic audiences. Young and old. Wealthy and broke. There's no limit to amount of persons one can reach. I make music for anyone that can hear it.
9. Seeing that you are 27 years of age do you think that helps in terms of maturity when dropping logic on the mic and has this had any bearing on the choice of your name 'Conscious'?
Nope. Maturity comes with experience not age. The name came from the original poetry pen name Stream of Conscious. I dropped that a few years back. The way I approach art in general, is in a stream of conscious method. Whether it be in the form of a rhyme of a painting. Free flowing and uncontrived. When it's done it's done. No deliberation.
10. Thanks for talking with us! Is there anything else you wish for people to know about Conscious or any messages you want to send out (shout outs etc)?
Just look out for the re-release of the Journal via Violent Art Records. Of course the forth come EP Co-Conspirators on Eklektic Gardens (guest appearances by, Dyalekt, Crooked Scallah, Members of The Black Horde, Dirty Harry, Thinker, Tah Phrum Dah Bush (Filthy Clean Records), Frankie Devualle , Sense, Kaleal Crooks (Silver Pharaoh ) and some other folks who shall remain nameless. Definite shout out to Inner Circle Entertainment, my partner Jigsaw from Allhiphop.com for constant encouragement to do what I'm doing. And a certain new media guru down south that I can't seem to ever get along with that has opened my eyes to what else I'm capable of doing with all this new fangled digital technology. Oh and yeah can't forget Adam Bernard super journalist and host of the In Da Mixx radio show at Fairfield College on Tuesday nights. Check out Adam's blog http://tuesdaynights.blogsome.com
http://www.livemicsociety.com
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