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. In addition to this - two of his more recent releases ‘Trojan’ and his feature on ‘Dragons Jaw’ by ‘Post Coal Prom Queen’ were named track of the week on BBC Introducing Scotland. Sensory EP - a collaboration with producer Toni Smoke – also saw 2 tracks receive worldwide airplay on Rapstation 365 – Radio station of legendary Chuck D as well before releasing the Protest EP at the beginning of October.

 Now on the 1st anniversary of its release, Conscious Route revisits the critically acclaimed Lost Routes album by adding stylistic changes with contributions from some of the scene's most highly regarded producers. Forest DLG, Toni Smoke, Konchis, Jamie Bostron and Monosapiens provide refreshing takes, as well as further contributions from Scottish rising producers Vagrant Real Estate, Scott Bathgate, Crink, Rapper/Producer Mackenzie and Canadian counterpart Vigilante Underground.

 These newly remixed and re-worked versions presented on Flip Tape draw from a variety of influences and styles from laid-back ambient production (Fields of Hope), haunting Lo-Fi (Awakening) through to high-octane drum and bass (Everything Test) adding fresh perspectives to already enjoyable tracks.

Flip Tape is a fantastic re-working of Conscious Route & True Notes critically acclaimed 'Lost Routes' album - adding further diversity to his sound and continuously expanding body of work which he looks to further add to throughout 2021 and beyond…

Lost Routes Flip Tape (Radio Edit Version)

02. Fields of Hope (Radio Edit) ( Vagrant Real Estate Remix) by Conscious Route & True Note

‘Orphans’ is a track for the post-truth, extremely online age. The deft lyrics expose the false promise of the streaming economy, and the exploitation of art for commercial profit. This is a track that diagnoses the alienation of a generation who live their lives under opt-in surveillance - a state-of-the-nation address from three of Scotland’s most fiercely independent artists.

The original mix, written and arranged by Becci Wallace with additional production from Audrey Tait (Franz Ferdinand) unfurls in a gathering storm of soft guitars and dusted beats, anchored by Becci’s soaring voice and bittersweet hooks. The track has a layered added nuance from the trombone of Edinburgh Jazz head Chris Greive. Chris is known for features, performances and production alongside a host of growing names like Joseph Malik, Rebecca Vasmant and The Scottish Jazz Orchestra. 

The remix by Scott Bathgate offers a more jazzy, traditional hip-hop framework for the complex, densely-layered lyrical exchanges of Texture and Conscious Route. Each mix offers a different side of a track that twins raw poetics with incisive social commentary.

Music by Becci Wallace on the Original Version Mixed and Mastered by production from Audrey Tait (Franz Ferdinand), Lauren Gilmore @ Novasound Studio, Featuring Lyrics by Becci Wallace, Conscious Route & Texture and guest Trombone from Chris Greive. Remix by Scott Bathgate 
Art Work by Alex Holman

Orphans 

Orphans (Radio Edit)by Conscious Route, Texture & Becci Wallace ft Chris Greive

‘Deftly Golden EP’ by Conscious Route (Produced by Forest DLG aka Chemo aka Telemachus)

Edinburgh-based MC, Conscious Route has delivered his latest, 6-track EP, ‘Deftly Golden,’ produced by Forest DLG aka Chemo aka Telemachus. The EP opens with the straight hip-hop of ‘Trojan’ ft Kryptik before ‘Portals’ brings a deeper lyrical feel as Conscious Route unleashes a flurry of political wordplay calling out prejudice, racism, government, and more.  Local Healers step up with a strong lyrical assist on the relaxed, jazz-inflected ‘Chordz’  as Chris Greive blesses the track with some live trombone before Micall Parknsun drops through to trade lines on the brooding ‘Vilified.’ Joe Publik is the final guest on the EP with the insistent, string blessed bragging rights of ‘Code Red’ cuts by iconic UK turntablist, DJ JabbaThaKut on the track. The EP closes with ‘Driver,’ as Conscious Route flows across a drum and bass back-drop, with some deft wordplay that speaks of his lyrical confidence. This EP maintains a strong hip-hop edge even as it drifts across styles while Conscious Route shows why he has become such an established name in UK hip-hop. The EP has already received support from BBC Introducing with “Trojan” gaining track of the week and more recently “Portals” spun on Phoebe I-H and Shreen Cutkelvin Scotland show. Release date 06.10.2022 

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. In addition to this, three of his more recent releases, ‘Trojan,’ ‘Orphans,’ and his feature on ‘Dragons Jaw’ by Post Coal Prom Queen, were all named as track of the week on BBC Introducing Scotland. The Sensory EP, a collaboration with producer Toni Smoke, also saw 2 tracks receive worldwide airplay on Rapstation 365 radio station, played by UK’s DJ Shorty on London Chip Shop show, then re-spun by the legendary Chuck D in the USA. His Lost Routes Flip tape was supported by Tom Robinson’s BBC 6 Music ‘Fresh On The Net BBC Introducing’ mixtape show and he has again seen his music named among the Herald’s top 100 Scottish tunes of the year. He also recently released the Pyramid EP with shortlisted Scottish Artist of the Year, Scott Bathgate. Conscious Route's release reached the international stage once again with airplay in USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and Europe. BBC Introducing Scotland, presenters Phoebe I-H and Shreen Cutkelvin supported it on their show and calling it, “the ultimate collaboration.” Since then, Conscious Route’s music, including his last single, ‘Portals’ with Forest DLG, continues to get support from the BBC – with ‘Dragon’s Jaw’ making it to BBC Introducing Scotland’s Best Track of the Week show.

Forest DLG (AKA Telemachus, FKA Chemo Productions) is a producer, musician and sound engineer who grew up in South London, where he would tune into late night Choice FM and underground pirate radio to hear the Hip Hop, Jungle, Dancehall, 2 Step and Grime being transmitted. He soon entered the UK rap scene, under the pseudonym ‘Chemo,’ where he began producing and sound engineering. As chief engineer at YNR and High Focus, he shaped some of the UK’s finest releases. Now working as the sound engineer at KMJ45 Studios, he continues to be behind some of the most well-known names in the UK, including Rag N Bone Man, Ocean Wisdom, Youngs Teflon, Durrty Goodz, Verb T, Four Owls, Jehst, Roots Manuva and more.

Produced, mixed & Mastered by Forest DLG @ KMJ45 Studio
All tracks Written by Conscious Route, 
Feature writing by Kryptik (Trojan), Micall Parknsun (Vilified), Joe Publik (Code Red), Nay Loco & Ty Healy (Chordz)
Trombone on (Chordz) by Chris Greive 
Cuts on (Code Red) by JabbaThaKut
Artwork by Alex Holman
Released by True Hold records all rights reserved

05. Code Red (Radio Edits) By Conscious Route ft Joe Publik & Jabbathakut Produced by Forest DLG

Conscious Route & Supermann on da Beat: ‘Jazz Unsung’ feat P Caso & Bridget Quinn

Conscious Route returns with a new single, ‘Jazz Unsung,’ alongside Scottish Asian producer Supermann on da Beat and featuring Glasgow’s P Caso and Edinburgh-based alternative singer Bridget Quinn. The track is laced with a minor-key piano line that delivers a strong jazz aesthetic. This is perfectly matched by Bridget Quinn’s blues-laden vocal delivery as she opens the track and eases her way between the rhymes from P Caso and Conscious Route. The laid back but melancholy feel is lifted through the verses with a stuttering, off-beat break that piques attention as the MCs bring their emotive yet lyrically deft wordplay to bear. With a smooth, relaxed, grown-up and classy feel, ‘Jazz Unsung’ shows that hip-hop and jazz still make excellent bedfellows in 2023. Release date 15.09.2023.

Track Produced by Supermann on da Beat
Lyrics by Conscious Route, P caso & Bridget Quinn 
Track Mastered by Forest DLG @ KMJ45
Art Work by Jon Thompson
Editoriual by Tom Clover

Untitled 

Jazz Unsung (Radio Edit) By Conscious Route & Supermann on da Beat ft P Caso & Bridget Quinn

Belterz, the new album project by Conscious Route is a social exploration of his personal experience of a changing society and culture, highlighting the insights of an ageing person living life and being an artist in the music Industry. 

Taking the perspective of an independent artist, the album features a host of top flight artists bringing different styles and perspectives as they share insights from their own journeys within the culture of the Scottish music scene.

The album musically and lyrically navigates a range of sounds and social topics, uniting the introspective with social observation, as we have come to expect from Conscious Route. Most of the production is handled battle rapper/ producer MacKenzie, with just two tracks (‘2 Guys’ produced by Tzusan and ‘Essence’ produced by Vagrant Real Estate) produced by others. Guest musicians, Chris Greive & Scott Bathgate also appear across 5 songs. With Scott Bathgate adding subtlety to ‘Ducks in a Row’ and an eerie edge to ‘Underground’, while Chris Greive brings extra trombone to the subtle style of ‘Late’, nuance to ‘Heart on Sleeves’ and a a mix of Jazz influenced keys and trombone with the track ‘2 Guys’. 

The feature-heavy project boasts guest appearances from some of Scotland's finest, with tunes featuring Empress, YBxgtown, Kryptik, Lynzie Dray, Milles Better, Gluco, Jennifer Anne Todd, One Oz, Mistah Bohze, MacKenzie, JabbaThaKut, Wends, Becci Wallace, Solareye, Queen of Harps and Pro Focus.

Conscious Route draws upon years of experience in the music industry as he casts an eye over the state of hip-hop culture and the trials of getting noticed as an underground artist. His vocals mesh perfectly with those of his guests, bringing an array of vocal styles and accents as the music flips from hip-hop head-nodders to a UK Garage throwback, some soul-tinted melodies, dub, and beyond.  

Continuing to push the culture while keeping an eye on its roots, ‘Belterz’ shows why Conscious Route has long been regarded as one of the foremost names in Scottish hip-hop. Release Date 10.11.2023 


The Skinny Magazine “Belterz” Album 4 Star Review ****
 
“But if anyone’s earned the right to be so bold, it’s Conscious Route. For over two decades, the London- born, Edinburgh-based rapper has been honing his craft, emerging from the underground as one of the finest hip-hop artists in the Scottish scene.” (Chris Sneddon) 






Tracklist:

01. Amorphous Shape ft Empress 
02. Pretentious ft YBxGtown
03. Carry On ft Kryptik 
04. Ducks in a Row ft Lynzie Dray & Milles Better 
05. Sugar Coated ft Gluco
06. Essence ft Jennifer Anne Todd
07. Day Ones ft One OZ,  Mistah Bohze, Mackenzie & JabbaThakut
08. Late ft Wends 
09. Underground ft Becci Wallace 
10. Original ft Solareye
11. Hearts on Sleeves ft Queen of Harps & Lynzie Dray
12. 2 Guys ft Pro Focus 


Music Credits: 
All tracks produced by Mackenzie, except ‘Essence’ produced by Vagrant Real Estate
and ‘2 Guys’ produced by Tzusan 
Scott Bathgate: Guitar on ‘Ducks in a Row’, guitar and keyboard on ‘Underground’
Chris Greive: Keyboards and trombone on ‘2 Guys’ and trombone on ‘Hearts on Sleeves’ 
Tracks mastered by Forest DLG @ KMJ45
Editorial Tom Clover 
Pictures by Ben Glasgow 
Artwork by John Dyer @DigitalDyer

Belterz (Radio Edit Version)

08. Late (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route ft Wends, Produced by Mackenzie

07. Day Ones (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route ft One Oz, Mistah Bohze, Mackenzie & Jabbathakut

04. Ducks In A Row (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route ft, Lynzie Dray & Miles Better

03. Carry On (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route ft Kryptik, Produced by Mackenzie

Release date: 04.06.2024

‘Fashion’ offers a preview of the upcoming collaborative ‘Shadows’ LP from Conscious Route and Supermann on da Beat. An understated, rolling break is coupled with acoustic strings and some keys, leaving plenty of space for Conscious Route and guest MC Pro Focus to deliver rhymes jabbing at rappers who follow stereotypes and trends. Taking turns on the verses before switching to a back-and-forth style, the rappers call out those who can only chat “grimy bars, [about] bitches, coke,” as a “cash-in, they in it for the fashion.”
There is still plenty of time for Conscious Route and Pro Focus to demonstrate their own rhyming credentials as Supermann’s production flows through stuttering breaks and is given space to breathe too. 
If this is a hint of what to expect from the Shadows LP, which is due to be released in 2025, then there is something serious cooking in Scotland right now…

Master versions 

Fashion (Radio Edit) Conscious Route & Supermann on da Beat ft Pro Focus

Super Smooth’ is the third single from Conscious Route and Supermann on da beat upcoming collaborative album, ‘Shadows.’ Opening with a solo piano line before a slow-rolling break drops, Supermann’s production lays the foundation for Conscious Route to deliver his clear and crisp wordplay as he takes aim at trend-following MCs who are on record, ‘trapping for the impact’ and promoting a life they don’t lead for the sake of popularity. 
With verse two, Conscious Route doubles down on the message, taking note of his own past and how he has moved forward in his outlook and responsibilities yet remains true to an old-school aesthetic. This is all highlighted by Supermann layering the beat with some bluesy brass notes as the production fills with keys to bring a relaxed urgency. 
Some soulful notes brings us to the last third of the second verse as Conscious Route takes jabs at the industry for pushing negativity and fakeness for profit without looking at the welfare of artists, before standing firm on his veteran status in UK hip-hop as the production begins to calm for the finale.
Bringing some slick wordplay and memorable couplets might not be uncommon in great hip-hop, but to deliver it with a message to the scene, coupled with production to rival some of the biggest names in the game?
Things are certainly heating up in Scotland ahead of the full-length ‘Shadows’ LP, which is due out in 2025…

Track Produces by Supermann on da beat, 
Lyrics by Conscious Route 
Mixed by Mackenzie 
Mastered by Forest DLG @ KMJ45 Studios
Art by Jon Thompson
Editorial Tom Clover

Shadows LP

Super Smooth (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route & Supermann on da beat

Release date: 20.09.2024

The blending of hip-hop and jazz has underpinned a great many classic releases and this new, two-track, collaborative release from Conscious Route and Chris Greive certainly pulls on this tradition. The first track, ‘Get To Like Mine,’ opens with a sparse, off-kilter break, keys and lilting brass notes that draw from Chris’ jazz trombone experience. The production slowly builds in layers as Conscious Route delivers a captivating rhyme about the struggles of growing up in a society where, as a young Black man, he was pushed into negative situations due to a lack of options, poverty and the expectations that were placed upon him. Drawing from his own experience, Conscious Route speaks on how he overcame and found compassion and self-worth.


Things switch up a notch with the second track, ‘Black’s The New Orange,’ as a crisp breakbeat creates a foundation for a playful call-and-response between Conscious Route’s lyrics and Chris Greive’s trombone playing. Bringing the improvisational and freestyle elements associated with jazz and hip-hop to bear, this funky head-nodder flexes organic musicianship with a bold lyrical swagger that will appease, entertain and intrigue hip-hop heads and jazz-lovers alike

. 
Give this two-track release a listen and you are sure to agree that Conscious Route’s lyrical dexterity and Chris Greive’s jazz-drenched production (plus a little collaborative idea-swapping thrown into the mix) is a formula that you will want to hear more of…

Music Produced by Chris Greive
Lyrics & Co Production by Conscious Route
Artwork Illustration by Lynzie Dray & Lettering by John Thompson
Editorial by Tom Clover

Rasodical Urchin of Inner Work Tings 

Blacks The New Orange - Conscious Route & Chris Greive

Get To Like Mine - Conscious Route & Chris Greive

 
Release date: 28/03/2025 
Conscious Route’s latest track, ‘Humble Sons,’ sees him connect with London hip-hop veteran, Manage on production to deliver hard-hitting, hip-hop head-nodder.
 The track opens with atmospheric keys before breaking out into a classic ‘funky drummer’ type beat that provides plenty of space for Conscious Route to weave his rhymes as he takes broad aim at the wrongs plaguing the UK. 
From the rise of right-wing popular politics, to racial profiling and the treatment of ethnic citizens and refugees, right though to the Royal Family’s child sex abuse scandal and cuts to the arts sector, this track calls out ills while bringing the focus back to hip-hop culture and the conflict between art and capitalism. 
Manage keeps the production interesting as he flips the beat across the track while Conscious Route demands your attention with a flow that skips across subjects without losing the intensity required in the message. Forget the pop hooks or made-up gun talk, this is the kind of reality rap that UK hip-hop needs in 2025.


Humble Sons (Radio Edit) by Conscious Route Produced by Manage

Conscious Route and Wends come together to lay down some heat for the rave with their latest collaborative tune, ‘Holla @ Dub,’ produced by Wav Machine. The track kicks off with a bass-heavy, dubstep-tinted beat that builds to unleash Conscious Route’s opening verse as he introduces the theme of being in a dance and the characters and situations that you may catch on the scene. Wends steps in for the second verse, with her trademark blend of toasting and singing to give a female perspective before both of them trade bars as they highlight dancefloor skankers, rude boys, flirtatious women, drug dealers, and gurning drug users. While this track highlights the vocal deliveries of Conscious Route and Wends, there is also a stripped-back, more instrumental version of this track for the DJs and bass-heads. 

This track builds on the strength of Conscious Route and Wends’ 2023 single, ‘Galactic,’ which saw spins on BBC Introducing Scotland and BBC 6 music Introducing, among other stations. The pair are also working on a larger project together which will bring both of these tracks together but, for now, soak up the atmosphere and let the bassline take you away with ‘Holla @ Dub.’

Produced Mixed & Mastered by Wav Machine 
Lyrics by Conscious Route & Wends 
Artwork by Lilr Ragaey
Released by True Hold Records 2025 all rights reserved
Editorial by Tom Clover


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