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Driftin' Away (Time)
Born To Do
ReTurn
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While most rappers lull listeners into a proverbial sleep with a constant bombardment of songs focused on money, power, sex and respect, BeConscious has a message : wake up! His unabashedly sample-driven production provides an ear-grabbing backdrop for him to discuss topics such as social justice, political corruption, Hip-Hop culture, and spirituality. Since some of BeConscious’ musical influences include KRS-ONE, Common, Mos Def, The Roots and Public Enemy it is no surprise that this Michigan-Bred wordsmith has something to say about life’s deeper meaning.
Through his upcoming debut album, “The Birth of a Conscious Emcee,†BeConscious will introduce his music to a larger audience and attempt to satiate the listener’s desire for rap music that has substance. Simply put, “The Birth of a Conscious Emcee†will be BeCon’s attempt to dish up musical soul food to people who are continually being fed musical junk food. As he covers the current state of Hip-Hop, racial inequity, depleting personal freedoms and spirituality, as well as other topics, BeConscious hopes to broaden his fan base, satisfy his current fans desire for a full-length LP and, in his own small way, make the world a better place.
At the very least, BeConscious' lyrics give the listener something to think about. While discussing how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may see our world if he were alive today, BeCon proclaims in his song, "Contemplatin’ Martin," "racism lives and breathes disguised as tolerance/instead of a burning cross it resides in politics." It is this type of social commentary that typifies much of his work. In "They Know Not, he voices his concern about depleting personal freedoms in the U.S. by saying, "now everybody is a potential terrorist/ but they don't tell us that they're where the terror rests/ instead choppers and cameras on thee highways/ but its a scam, Bin Laden worked for the C.I.A." Bold claims such as these will undoubtedly leave many listeners outraged but they are also sure to appeal to a group of Hip-Hoppers that are often overlooked.
Though he often addresses social concerns, BeCon often discusses other subjects as well. In “Born to Do†he pokes fun at the materialism that is so prevalent amongst rappers. He says, "most of these cats want the fame and shine/ but when they get it the still feel the same inside/ hollow, like a chocolate Easter rabbit/ cat's fiend for cabbage swear that they need to have it/ but I come from the underground like beets and radish/ and overthrow like John Brown they're like 'he's so savage.'" BeCon offers up a steady examination of Hip-Hop culture. He also examines his own personal struggles through his music. In "Misery," BeConscious points toward his shortcomings and his need for spiritual strength by saying, "I'm trying to be a better man walk in better ways/ with integrity until the end of days/ but I'm constantly warring within myself/ I'm falling and I'm calling out for some help." It is these types of admissions that show vulnerability and help to make his music more balanced. Finally, he points to a more collective need for something greater in life in the song “Freedom†by saying, “We need freedom cus freedom’s a must/ we need freedom, it’s freedom or bust/ we need freedom, cus freedom’s a must/ we need freedom so in God we trust.†As the song indicates, he fuses the here-and-now along with spirituality to draw on his listeners interests. Through his atypical subject matter and multi-syllabic lyricism BeConscious attempts to make Hip-Hop music that not only has a memorable sound, but a memorable message as well.
Though BeConscious has been rapping and producing for nearly a combined fifteen years, it was not until recently that he came to the conclusion that failing to pursue the use of his gifts would rob Hip-Hop fans of another much needed voice of reason .Through live performances BeConscious continues to pay his dues and to help make a name for himself. Make sure to stay up to date with BeConscious as this up and coming emcee/producer attempts to take his message to the masses. Current news about "The Birth of a Conscious Emcee" can be obtained by signing up for BeConscious' mailing list. Also, make sure to catch a dope performance at one of BeConscious’ shows.
