Q). Hows things with you? 

At the moment it's a bit surreal, as I am writing this, I have a two-day old baby girl sleeping on my chest and it's 5am in the morning. Life is different, still music has always been a large part of that and I am sure I will draw new understanding and inspiration from her.

Q). Where did the whole Conscious Route journey all begin?

When I moved to Scotland I guess around 14 years ago. I was Mosman Skank, the name Mosman came from when I started in a  rap crew called Fugazirum. Conscious Route was a band I created originally when I first got to Edinburgh, but after the band dissolved, I made it my artist name. It served me well and it fits my ethos - conscious rap and my personal life where I work as a counselling psychotherapist.

Q). Your E.P ‘Deftly Golden’ is available now. Tell us more about that? 

The project is produced by UK underground Legend Chemo aka Forest DLG aka Telemachus. He is actually an old friend, we met around 22 years ago when I was in Fugazirum, my producer Huss met him online and I spent a lot of time in and around London chilling and writing with him. We both went off in different directions musically, as I got more alternative while he was at the forefront of UK hip hop creating Speaker's Corner, working with Lowkey, Terra Firma and nowadays High Focus among other labels. It's good, since I got back into writing straight hip-hop Forest DLG was mastering bits and we decided to just put this together. The release pays homage to our connection and the origins of hip-hop. It's not trying to be ground-breaking, just a nice style of music people have appreciated for over 40 years.


Q). Whats it like being in the studio with Conscious Route?

My approach to music is developing and changing, I think I've got better at working with people and choosing the right people to work with. I'm pretty laid back but also time is precious, so I like to chat and chill but I am there to get music done. My process these days is to sketch some bars, lay down a template structure, then listen to that over a week while I tighten ideas then, depending on timelines, rerecording 2 to 3 weeks later. I write fast, which always surprises people but that just comes from years of practice.

Q). How would you describe your sound?

Hmm, it's difficult. I say diverse as I'm not a formula rapper like Jehst or Chester P, they have a specific style that is very identifiable. I have a few different voices and ways I flow and approach my music. I get influenced by all I experience, I guess. Think about Bruce Lee's water theory - it's hard when it needs to be but not resistant to change. I feel I'm still finding my voice but a few styles within what I do I recognise as familiar and 'me.' Lyrically conscious, very versatile, which is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is the ability to do different things, the curse is that I think fans like consistency and familiarity. I am trying to keep a certain radius to what I do these days to help continuity.


Q). Is there anybody who you would love to do a track with? 

Loads of people; LAB79, The Last Elect, DSOTM, Triple Darkness, Confucius, Truemendous, Coops, New Guards, Kofi Stone, Jelani Blackman, P Money, Ghetts - the list goes on 😂 

Q). Who is your biggest influence? 

On the UK scene, Roots Manuva, Kyza, Klashknekoff... too many to mention. In America, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Wu Tang Clan, Pharcyde, Talib Kweli. 

Q). Why did you choose to get into the music industry? 

I just did music because it felt good and that led me into the Industry. Music still makes me feel good although the industry leaves me with a bitter taste. It's not an industry made for the celebration of art and helping to develop artists, it's a business that makes money and cares little for the products they push and the outcome for the person being pushed. It's gotten worse in the digital age. It's the worst pyramid scheme there is. 

Q). What would you say is your biggest achievement in music so far?  

Still loving my art regardless if it's worshipped by everyone and making music I like. Self releasing and managing myself. The Lost Routes LP got international critical acclaim in major papers and was spun around the world. It opened a lot of doors and made people acknowledge I was at least there.

Q). What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Not much - I've just had a baby! 😂 I'm looking after my kid and working on finishing 2 LPs plus putting together funding applications for these projects.

Q). Do you have any social media for new fans to follow you?

The best is the one below as it links to all of them.
https://linktr.ee/ConsciousRoute